AR XB headshell/tonearm

AR Turntables are collectible? There are many thousands of them out there (I saw them listed for $50-$100 in local papers for years). I modified my AR XA by cutting out the well for the arm (it’s a piece of junk) and replacing it with a Formula 4 Unipivot. The XB is the same table but with a plastic imitation-wood covering in place of the XA’s real-wood veneer. The XB also has a metal headshell in place of the XA’s plastic.

There was a great mod-kit for the XA and XB (with a substitute floating subchassis), but if I wanted an AR I would look for an ES-1, the version of the table when it was re-introduced in the mid-80’s (I had one of those too). It’s basically the same as the XA, but with a separate arm board (the table was offered without or with an arm---a nice Jelco-sourced one. I mounted a Rega RB300 instead.).

I was okay with the ES-1 until I heard a VPI HW-19 at Brooks Berdan’s shop. Bye bye AR, hello VPI ;-) .

@bdp24 

I guess it's like the Dynaco Stereo 70. You used to be able to pick those up for a mere pittance. For what you pay for one now you can get a Music Reference RM-10, a far, far better amplifier.

@imhififan 

@cd318,
AR turntables are highly collectible, I hope OP can keep it as original as possible during refurbishing and use that after market headshell or diy something similar to install his cartridges. 

I agree. 

They're well worth looking after.

I spent ages waiting for one in good condition to turn up.

I now feel obliged to make sure it stays that way.

It's not everyday that you get to play with a piece of Hi-Fi history.