Parted out you should recover your cost with a good frame (revolutionary design), arm, bearings, plinth and platter. BUT the AR-XB is a fine piece of audio history and worth saving or passing on. Acoustic Research was a benchmark company. Here's a news flash, history doesn't start the day a person is born and everything was not made to throw away.... Americans, jeez. I am guessing that the lube in the motor has hardened, and the start capacitor is way past its use by date and you don't need a motor (I like the hum, it's trying). The AR was designed for a conical stylus (the, supposed anti-skate issue), and there are some great MM's, and even a couple MC's available (Denon). Most people set the anti-skate too high, I did until I got a test record. I have a Thorens TD 165 that's happiest with minimum anti-skate. Now that I'm aware I think I'd like to get the O-scope repaired. I was told it was an easy fix, but that was ten years ago.... hmmm maybe chineseium? I like your Sony backup TT, and will just mention U-Turn Turntables from Massachusetts (born and made in USA by entrepreneurs), I think almost, if not all the TT's in the line are upgraded with the magnesium arm, and the new belt and platter from the Orbit Theory (I'm a proud owner, punches way above its price (hosting my Sure V15 IV but needed VTA spacer), but I know, not made in a foreign country, sorry). If you need a line input for a second TT Orbit has you covered there, too. Good luck, and please don't just toss the AR :)
AR-XB. Is it worth a new motor?
I recently purchased an AR-XB for $200 from a gentleman who was selling it for an estate of the original owner. It looked great. I did everything but plug it in as he assured me it only needed a new belt. When I got home, the motor would not turn, although I could feel it humming under my finger. Unfortunately, I bought the tt in Pittsburgh while visiting my son. I hand carried it in its original box as a carry on back to Washington state. My question is, should I bite the bullet for a new $200 motor from Vinyl Nirvana, or chalk it up to experience and move on? Now I know some of you would spend more than that on the wiring for the tonearm, but that's a bit of money for my habit given my finances. The rest of the system is Mac 2100, Mac C26, Acoustat Spectra 1100, Audiolab 6000cdt, Audiolab M+DAC, MIT interconnects. Jazz, acoustic, bluegrass, Americana and vintage rock are what I listen to. Oh, and I have brandy new Ortofon Super OM 20 I was going to use. My back-up table is a Sony PS-LX5.