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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.

chuckt
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,385 posts
 

Google AR-XB motor repair.

Some good YouTube vid's on disassembly/repair.

I would start by replacing the start and runs caps, (for a few bucks/covered in some of the vid's) before disassembling the motor - to see if that is the main problem.

 

DeKay

chuckt OP
26 posts
 

Thank you all for the responses! Some really good info and education. Here's my take away: keep the table, which other than the motor, is in great shape, check out the capacitors as the motor does turn freely, and if that doesn't work then try and rebuild the motor (I did watch the video) or replace the motor and maybe down the road, replace the arm and headshell as I understand there are some Technics(?) arms that will work with this table. Did I get that right?

baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,238 posts
 

This has the similarity of having a boat. A hole in the water you throw money at. Even though I know nothing about this TT,  my advice is to move on and be glad all you threw at it is 200 bucks.

puptent's avatar
puptent
157 posts
 

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   :)

baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,238 posts
 

The XB retailed for $130 in 1972. 

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