Really Rare Acoustic Research receiver help needed.
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joelongwood
No more room at the inn
I have one of those as well. To me, it's one of the classiest looking pieces of gear ever made. Unfortunately, it is currently on the shelf as it needs repair. But it's still nice to look at.
Here's some info from The Classic Speaker Pages, a great site for all New England speakers with a focus on Acoustic Research & KLH:
Additional info:
http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/.../the_ar_receiver/ar_fm_receiver_specificatio/
Hope this helps.
Here's some info from The Classic Speaker Pages, a great site for all New England speakers with a focus on Acoustic Research & KLH:
Additional info:
http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/.../the_ar_receiver/ar_fm_receiver_specificatio/
Hope this helps.
I'm surprised its so hard to find info on it, but I believe its basically just the AR integrated and tuner in a box, and info on those might be easier to find. Very nice looking, less nice feeling (feels almost like they used the same pots as the speakers -- obviously not). Sounds very good, supposedly, when it sounds. I've heard it (or at least the original ones) uses germanium transistors which are really too delicate for the purpose, and so are problematic.
I think there is a test on one in the Boston Audio Society newsletter, which can be downloaded.
I think there is a test on one in the Boston Audio Society newsletter, which can be downloaded.
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Nakdoc
nakamichi spoken here
The receiver's amplifier is a transformer interstage coupled early transistor design. It is wierd to work on but repairs can be made as we fixed one of these sometime in the past. It was designed to match the AR3A, AR2ax, and the other 4 ohm speakers they built. Oddly enough they proved to be rugged. The Citation 12 was about the only other amplifier that could handle the load. Dyna stereo 120 amps blew like crazy with AR3as.
Thierry
Tape with a passion
Hi
I stumbled accross this thread when I was looking for information about this model. Here are two pictures of mine :
I restored it to original condition (replaced the stereo pilot lamp with a LED though) and I must say this old thing has a very decent sound. I use it with AR4 Xa and various other speakers.
By the way I managed to download the Service Manual if anyone is interested.
Cheers
Thierry
biggguy999
New Member
Oh, the memories...
As I never had the receiver, don't know much about the FM performance, but I did own the amplifier (twice)- the first one was a dream (still sorry I got rid of it, but as a broke college student, you do what you had to), and the second one was a nightmare...
As one of the earlier posters related, they were problematic- from what I recall there was some sort of issue with the protection circuitry which incinerated the output transistors pretty regularly....the problem was so common that AR would actually refurb the unit for $75 in the mid 70s (no questions asked how or where you got it- and they'd actually send you a new box and packing materials free!) if you sent it to them. I actually availed myself of their offer twice in six months. I never abused the unit at all....was using EPI 120 speakers (another audio set I still miss) at the time, and because of my living situation, it was always low volume....
To make a long story short...when the unit blew the last time, AR wasn't doing anything with them anymore- took it to a local shop, where I was told it couldn't be fixed for the cost of a comparable new unit....so I abandoned it.
A few years ago, I did read on some audio forum about a guy who had figured out a fix for the problem- unfortunately, I can't remember who or where...
Even though the unit does sound decent- I'd recommend you leave yours as a nice looking display piece- and use something else as a "daily driver"...
As I never had the receiver, don't know much about the FM performance, but I did own the amplifier (twice)- the first one was a dream (still sorry I got rid of it, but as a broke college student, you do what you had to), and the second one was a nightmare...
As one of the earlier posters related, they were problematic- from what I recall there was some sort of issue with the protection circuitry which incinerated the output transistors pretty regularly....the problem was so common that AR would actually refurb the unit for $75 in the mid 70s (no questions asked how or where you got it- and they'd actually send you a new box and packing materials free!) if you sent it to them. I actually availed myself of their offer twice in six months. I never abused the unit at all....was using EPI 120 speakers (another audio set I still miss) at the time, and because of my living situation, it was always low volume....
To make a long story short...when the unit blew the last time, AR wasn't doing anything with them anymore- took it to a local shop, where I was told it couldn't be fixed for the cost of a comparable new unit....so I abandoned it.
A few years ago, I did read on some audio forum about a guy who had figured out a fix for the problem- unfortunately, I can't remember who or where...
Even though the unit does sound decent- I'd recommend you leave yours as a nice looking display piece- and use something else as a "daily driver"...
They were great amps when they were working - unfortunately that wasn't often enough. I've heard that the FM section wasn't the greatest in the receiver models, but I've never owned one of those.
The problem with the AR amplifier that caused so much trouble for AR was, I believe, the biasing pots for the output transistors. They would heat up and change value drastically, throwing the bias way off and frying the outputs. IIRC, AR's solution was to replace them with fixed resistors and the newer versions came without adjustable trimmer pots - just fixed resistors. There may have been other problems too, but that's the big one that I remember. I love all things AR, but the amps are a bit of a challenge. :sigh:
I think if you do a search on classicspeakerpages.net at the AR forum you will find the posts you are seeking.
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dshoaf
That high voltage buzz
It basically reversed one channel then fed the resulting signal to both channels. You then adjusted the Balance control for lowest volume from both channels. Nulling out the Balance, so to speak.
I had one in my garage for a while in the 90s. The FM drifted quite a bit and the thing ran warm but I hadn't done anything to it. It died in a garage fire......
IIRC, AR was agressive on the pricing but the Japanese (nice Sony tuner, Thierry!) receivers undercut them for price, features and power per channel as AR sold into the 70s. I wonder if they ever made any money on them.
Cheers,
David
JonL
Lunatic Member
Thierry
Tape with a passion
Hi David,
yes the Sony tuner is a nice one.
I also own the matching amp, the TA-4650 V-Fet, you can have a look : http://www.eastmarinedrive.com/contents/non-static/vfet-content.htm
And as mentionned by the guy sound is damn good :yes:
I also have some old stuff that I use at intervals, I displayed them on my website because I like their old school looking so much :
http://www.dcx2496.fr/vintage.php
Thierry
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Brian
An Old Geezer
I too always loved the looks of the series but the amp was a deal killer for me. Terrible sounding. The tuner was typical Boston area design, not a dx'er but with a decent signal, it sounded good. The units were known to be fragile and the amps self-destructed and hence the lineup was not well liked by dealers.
Funny, whenever I see the back of the amp or receiver, I think whoever designed it also had something to do with the KLH 27 that has a back that looks similar. The 27 was designed during the Kloss era after leaving AR and the AR units were introduced well after he left.
Funny, whenever I see the back of the amp or receiver, I think whoever designed it also had something to do with the KLH 27 that has a back that looks similar. The 27 was designed during the Kloss era after leaving AR and the AR units were introduced well after he left.
lorne
Sonic Lizard
Well, I have read similar comments somewhere, but the overwhelming opinion I'm most familiar with is quite the opposite in regards to the AU model amplifier. Perhaps the incremental modifications made a better amp over the years. Mine is serial # AU23046 — well past the bias pot bypass mod for example. Over 20 years of countless hours, it was 100% reliable. And 6 years ago in a shoot out with a recent model NAD, it yielded no appreciable ground despite a complement of 30 year old capacitors and 10 years of lying dormant.
BTW, I am restoring this old friend, and I am in real big need of some pics showing the internal wiring — specifically the tone and driver boards. I'd be much obliged for any help. Cheers ... Lorne
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lorne
Sonic Lizard
Merci beaucoup Thierry. I'm rushing to work and cannot look closely, but because your pics are of the receiver and mine is the amp only, it appears that the pics may not help. Moreover, the tone board is en situ, so I can't see the wiring. The driver board is in different location I think. But thanks. These must be the only nudies of that model available to the public.
I look forward to combing through your audio museum site — very nicely done! :tresbon: I am happy you took the trouble just for that reason alone. Thanks! ... Lorne
I look forward to combing through your audio museum site — very nicely done! :tresbon: I am happy you took the trouble just for that reason alone. Thanks! ... Lorne
