AR-XB turntable. How do you make it more stable?
In my never ending arsenal of turntables, I have an AR-XB that's in pretty darn good condition. When I got it last year, it had an Ortofon cartridge/stylus on it although I don't know the exact model as I am at work. Overall, it sounds pretty darn good but what gets me is just how loose the suspension seems to be plus it makes some quot;clunkyquot; noises on occasion which resonates thru the system. I've even had points where it seemed to jerk some. It also makes the woofers move quite a bit and I have read in another reply to a post (by GordonW) that the Ortofon may be too light a cartridge for this unit.There doesn't seem to be a lot to this TT so what basic things could I do to make it less quot;clunkyquot; for lack of a better term? It would go well in one of the spare bedroom 2-channel setups as it's still quite the looker. I was going to work on a Lenco that I have but it seems to indepth so I may just unload it.
I'll get the name of the Ortofon cartridge setup that's on it tonight when I get home and post it here. I'm just looking for some ideas on it without going crazy.
Check the horizontal bearings -- the ones that screw into the sides of the pivot block. They can get loose, and then as you lift the arm, they can shift their position, then let go later. They don't need to be cranked down tight, in fact that would be bad, but they do need to be correctly in the bearings without more than the slightest tiny little bit of slop. Might be your problem.
Thanks...I'll check that out. I assume that it's all one piece underneath that moves along with the platter because if the quot;jerkingquot; happens, the platter and the tone arm both move. Right? That's what seems so loose.
Hmmm. Misunderstood what you meant by jerking. Sounds like you may have a dirty bearing or bad motor or motor capacitor, or the pully isn't tight or at the right height, or you have a bad belt. It sounds like something is actually trying to stop the platter or is slipping badly.
I assume you cleaned and lubed the bearing and lubed the motor bearing. Is the belt clean and in good shape, and is the pully tight on the shaft? If so, I'd start looking at the motor and the electrical supply to it, especially the cap.
VinylEngine has an AR forum. Bet they could shed some light on your problem...
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Originally Posted by avguytxOverall, it sounds pretty darn good but what gets me is just how loose the suspension seems to be plus it makes some quot;clunkyquot; noises on occasion which resonates thru the system. I've even had points where it seemed to jerk some.
Does all this happen during record play, or just on startup? If it happens during play, your belt is probably slipping and reengaging; if only during startup, the belt could be either too loose or too tight. Too tight is extremely unlikely unless you've recently installed a new belt. Try removing the belt, dusting lightly it with talcum powder and putting it back on.
Do you hear any of the suspended parts hitting the top plate when they bounce up, or bottoming out on the way down? If so, you may need to adjust the nuts on the springs to raise or lower the platter. If not, the suspension is working normally. That's all the adjustments do, they do not quot;loosenquot; or quot;tightenquot; the suspension.
Thanks again for the info and I'll check the site, too. Once playing, it really sounds good but it sounds like quite a bit of rumble in it. It just seems very noisy from the TT itself...not including the rumble heard thru the speakers. I did buy a new belt from a notable place that was specifically designed for the XB since I didn't feel a quot;one size fits allquot; belt would be suitable. I'll do some reading....
Oh, and it has an Ortofon OMP 3E installed on it that was there when I got it.
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Sounds like you need to adjust the suspension. You'll find exquisitely detailed instructions on doing that. Have fun!
What type of oil should I use for the spindle and bearing? I've read about Singer...as in the sewing machines I would assume.
Man, I love this place.
Originally Posted by avguytxWhat type of oil should I use for the spindle and bearing? I've read about Singer...as in the sewing machines I would assume.
AR used to supply a bottle of oil, which was just plain 10W machine oil. If you want to get fancy there are all sorts of black-oil concoctions. I go get one of those little pocket oilers from Radio Shack every five years or so.
Rumble may indicate a need for oil, but can also indicate too much oil. Or it may mean the little nylon thrust disc at the bottom of the bearing well has worn through. Hopefully not, as these are pretty much impossible to find anywhere now.
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