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Floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee!

dosmalo

dosmalo

T-Totaled
I've just finished reassembling my AR XA (for like the 3rd time) that has been a work in progress for like about a year. The rabbit-hole started with reading thread after thread and post after post here on AK about the AR tables with so many of them authored by Marc Morin.
With his personal advice and guidance in addition to parts furnished by Marc, I've managed to mass-load and balance the sub chassis w/ Linn springs, refurbished and polished the platter spindle, spindle bearing and install his new thrust plate.
A few weeks ago I took everything a part again and sent the XA's tone arm to him for rebuilding with sapphire V jewel cups, brass barrel mod with polished pins and Marc did his arm tube damping mod also (because I wouldn't know what a nodal point was even if it bit me on my ass!).
I have spent the better part of 3 days (off and on taking my time) putting everything back together and tuning everything up on this table and IT IS BLOWING ME AWAY!!!
First spin: Booker T and the MG's Green Onions LP and I'm in shock and awe!
Marc, thank you kind sir!:thmbsp:
 
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dosmalo said:
I've just finished reassembling my AR XA (for like the 3rd time) that has been a work in progress for like about a year. The rabbit-hole started with reading thread after thread and post after post here on AK about the AR tables with so many of them authored by Marc Morin.
With his personal advice and guidance in addition to parts furnished by Marc, I've managed to mass-load and balance the sub chassis w/ Linn springs, refurbished and polished the platter spindle, spindle bearing and install his new thrust plate.
A few weeks ago I took everything a part again and sent the XA's tone arm to him for rebuilding with sapphire V jewel cups, brass barrel mod with polished pins and Marc did his arm tube damping mod also (because I wouldn't know what a nodal point was even if it bit me on my ass!).
I have spent the better part of 3 days (off and on taking my time) putting everything back together and tuning everything up on this table and IT IS BLOWING ME AWAY!!!
First spin: Booker T and the MG's Green Onions LP and I'm in shock and awe!
Marc, thank you kind sir!:thmbsp:
Click to expand...

Well, thank you too sir. But actually all the thanks goes to Ed Villchur. I simply followed what he had to say. Even if it wasn't in the actual words. A change in a few materials, and..........:banana::banana::banana:.
If you're hearing it, means the stylus is seeing it, means the arm is allowing the cart to do its job and pretty much only its job. Nodal points don't look anything like a pitbull, but they can bite ya in the ass just the same :D
 
I recently acquired one of Marc's tables ( not sure it has all of your tweaks) and it is pretty spectacular with my DL-110 installed. The highs are a bit more dynamic then my Simplex and some detail is lacking that the Simplex manages to bring out (subtle nuances) but it may be attributed to the Dynavector 10x5 it sports... or the arm angle on the AR. I will be mounting a Shure V15V Jico later this week. Either way this table out performs most of the tables I have owned. If you haven't had the privilege you are missing out.
 
I love reading about these modified AR XA's. :yes:

Could it be because I have a fully functional stock AR XB on the sidelines?

I just finished upgrading my TD 160 and I am loving it ... next winter I will need a new project. :D
 
tcdriver said:
It is good to hear that you like your rebuilt AR. How about a few pictures?
Click to expand...

This post was aimed at Marc more than anything else because without his guidance and expertise it would have been fairly impossible for me to take this table as far as I have.
After I finished with the sub chassis mod I was so excited I posted some pics and you could probably find them here doing an AK google search, key words "XA sub chassis mass load."
Actually, my XA looks literally stock and all of the mods are under the hood so to speak. I like the looks of some of the custom jobs but I fell in love with the XA's looks the first time I ever saw one back in the early '70s and I wanted to keep mine looking as stock as possible.
Even though there ain't no flies on it at all, it kinda fits into that "If you've seen one stock XA, you've them all" category but this jewel is a real sleeper now!
 
dosmalo said:
This post was aimed at Marc more than anything else because without his guidance and expertise it would have been fairly impossible for me to take this table as far as I have.
After I finished with the sub chassis mod I was so excited I posted some pics
Click to expand...

Well then next time just send him an email :D
 
No doubt about it, when it comes to AR tables, Marc is the guv'nor!

In fact, my own '64-ish AT-TX is with him right now, receiving a comprehensive program of marcmorinization.

Marc has been updating me every few days with his progress, and his meticulousness with every detail is highly impressive. I will be STOKED to check out the improvements, and you can count on a full review upon its return!
 
dosmalo said:
This post was aimed at Marc more than anything else because without his guidance and expertise it would have been fairly impossible for me to take this table as far as I have.
After I finished with the sub chassis mod I was so excited I posted some pics and you could probably find them here doing an AK google search, key words "XA sub chassis mass load."
Actually, my XA looks literally stock and all of the mods are under the hood so to speak. I like the looks of some of the custom jobs but I fell in love with the XA's looks the first time I ever saw one back in the early '70s and I wanted to keep mine looking as stock as possible.
Even though there ain't no flies on it at all, it kinda fits into that "If you've seen one stock XA, you've them all" category but this jewel is a real sleeper now!
Click to expand...


Yeah Boy, now that's what I'm talking about. A retro mod turntable, just like taking a 1955 Bel Air, leaving it stock on the outside but doing a retro mod to the engine, transmission, and chassis. It doesn't get any better than this! :yes: :thmbsp: :banana: :music:
 
beatcomber said:
Yeah...? How come?

(You do realize the 8MR/MCZ is going on the AR, right?)
Click to expand...

That way you can A/B the AR to the Thorens more accurately. You should be familiar enough between an 8MZ and an MCZ to know what is "table sound"
apart from "cart sound".
 
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