A few months ago, I came across this Acoustic Research AR-XB that my dad had acquired years ago (he collects a lot of stereo equipment so he had completely forgotten when he came into possession) in beautiful shape. However, when it came to me it had a few issues:

1) The cueing lever was completely out of wack and seemed to make little to no difference on lifting the tonearm.

2) The bottom of the platter would scrape along the top of the platter, more so if the record was 180 grams.

3) Despite being internally grounded, the turntable would hum no matter what, even being plugged into other inputs on my receiver.

4) Sound would cut in and out, likely from a bad cartridge.

Surprisingly, the turntable played at the correct speed, a welcome surprise considering the table’s age. I’m no expert with turntable repair but decided to take a plunge due to the overall simplistic nature of the table.

Turns out, the cueing lever adjustment was as simple as loosening the tip that pushes up on the tonearm. The springs below the turntable, with some simple tightening were able to push the platter up to a more comfortable height to prevent scraping. The ground was loosened underneath and a quick tightening of the ground got rid of the hum. Finally, I fitted an Ortofon Omega cartridge on the bizarre plastic headshell. Not a world beating cartridge, but a good test cartridge that fit within the weight requirements of the esoteric tonearm and headshell package.

We now have good sound! The design of this table is ingenuous, and was simple enough for someone like myself who has no real hands on experience in turntable repair to make the minor adjustments. Audiogon was a huge resource and the dedicated cult following this table and its predecessor (The AR-XA) is indicative of the quality of this table.

Anyone else have one of these older Acoustic Research tables? Not sure if I’m going to have it as my main driver but I am definitely going to leave it in line for a few days and enjoy the music!

Avid music lover here, but have been more on the use a DAC digital lossless audio, good headphones route. I’m mostly at my PC gaming at home so it just has made the most sense for me.

I got handed over an Andover Spinbase 1 and a turntable which got me down a rabbit hole of doing some research. After much thought I went ahead and kept the Spin-base but instead of the LPGO/1byone I was being given, I ended up getting a LP70x instead. I was able to get it in white too which overall just looks great with my set up too. I wasn’t trying to spend too much or at all as I wasn’t sure how much into it I would be getting, but I realized pretty quick into my research that the LP60/GO and all of those are not gonna cut it for me eventually.

Got it all set up and am absolutely dopaminemaxxing, lifemaxxinggg… my partner was like you looked like your 12 year old boy just sitting on the floor staring at the turntable and yup she nailed it that’s exactly how it’s made me feel.

So I just want to say! If anyone out there is exploring getting into it if you genuinely love music and like to listen intentionally, you can not go wrong with going ahead. For those that do care about the sound quality you are getting, you don’t have to spend tons but do your research, yes it will matter (the suitcases and the the cheap brands just won’t cut it, like it’s 2026 your brain will glitch out if your record changes tempo mid song while your belting out lyrics). And the second hand market is a great place to look!

Happy Spinning! Time to build my record collection.

Here’s some pics of my listening space. I sit on the floor facing the spinbase ar ear level when listening listening.

Found this Kenwood KA-550 integrated amplifier in my attic, left over from previous owners (or even the ones before them honestly, there's so much stuff up there) and yesterday changed the plug to work in modern sockets as it had an old plug that would connect it into a media cabinet. Prior to this I didn't really think much to it but oh my god, it's loud, full of character and sounds amazing. The integrated amp I had, a Cambridge Audio Topaz AM5, was good but not even 1/5 as loud as this.

Cosmetic work needed but it does work.

The cabinet is a buffet cabinet I ordered from Walmart, it's got a drawer and doors I still gotta install and also a middle shelf but it's mostly finished. You can't put vinyls in there except for 45s, if you take out the middle shelf like how I have it you might be able to put regular 12 inch records in it but idk how well the cabinet can hold up. I'm using the cabinet for folded up clothes so it's gonna hold pretty well. Eventually I'll have space to add an amp and preamp and I'll eventually have a professional remove the built in preamp on the turntable, I heard that some people remove it so the amp and preamp work a little better for better setups using more equipment.

Turntable is an Audio-Technica at-lp120xusb (the non Bluetooth one)

Speakers are Edifier MR5's

Looking for any feedback to this potential setup I’m considering.

More seriously the RT81. I can always get different speakers but I liked that the edifier ones here are Bluetooth as well.

The RT81 I like because it has the ability to also switch to phono. I’m also into tinkering with things so I’m perfectly fine with it not being automatic. I like the counterweights and the anti skate too.

Sorry if this post is not allowed

Looking to upgrade my current table which is a U-Turn Orbit Custom, 2m Blue, acrylic platter. It’s served me well for 5 years but I’m gifting it to a family member soon so I’m looking for my endgame. Few options I’m considering in order of ranking:

1. Technics SL-100C w/ AT-VM750xSH
2. Orbit Theory w/ Ortofon 2m Bronze
3. Music Hall MMF-7.3 w/ Ortofon 2m Bronze
4. Rega Planar 3 w/ ND5

Current setup is hooked up to a Yamaha AS501, pair of JBL Studio 590’s, and a Yamaha YST315 sub. Might upgrade to an external preamp down the road but I’ve been pleased with the performance so far.

Everything I’ve read points to Technics, I want something durable that I’ll have for many years with minimal tinkering. The Orbit Theory is a close second considering my current board has no issues and I wouldn’t mind staying in the Orbit family.

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

edit: budget cap of $2,000

Hey everyone,
I’m completely new to the world of vinyl and looking to buy my very first turntable for a gift, but I need some help and recommendations.
The most important thing for me is my budget: it is strictly limited to a maximum of 600 RON. I cannot stretch this budget at all, so I really need suggestions for players that cost 600 RON or less (including built-in preamps if possible, or tips on what I should look for in this price range).
Since I know nothing about turntables, what are the best options (new or reliable used models) that fit safely under this limit? Any advice for a total beginner would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

Noticed some azimuth after picking this up, realized the base where the height adjustment is seems completely crooked/lower on the left side.
Anyone know how I can fix this?

hi all, i've had this turntable for about 5/6ish years and i've been nursing it along like someone would with a shitty car. both speeds are off, the automatic arm doesn't work (i am extremely twitchy so i rely on that to not scratch my lps), i have to use two slipmats or else the needle doesn't reach the record, and it doesn't connect to my set-up i just got for my CD and cassette players. so i think it's time i upgrade! i've been looking at the LP120XUSB since it's not too expensive, since i'm unemployed atm and i also don't have very much room. but i'd like some input from others who've been in a similar situation. oh and as a warning; I AM NOT AN AUDIOPHILE! i am in fact hard of hearing so all i want is just something that plays my records. so let me know, is the LP120XUSB good to move to or should i look at other brands? not looking for anything over $500. thanks for any help!

My Technics SL-50C skips whenever someone walks past it. Not loud music or bass, just footsteps.

I live in a small apartment in Japan. Space is tight, so swapping the shelf for a heavier stand isn't an option, and I can't wall-mount a shelf either. I have to make the current setup work.

• Technics SL-50C, 7.1 kg (15.7 lb), on its stock feet
• Cartridge: Audio-Technica AT-VM745xML, tracking at 2.0 g
• Shelf: 90 cm H × 55 cm W × 40 cm D (35.4 × 21.7 × 15.7 in)
• Floor: floating wooden floorboards

What I am planning (as illustrated)

• IKEA APTITLIG bamboo butcher block, 45 × 36 × 3 cm (17.7 × 14.2 × 1.2 in), 3.3 kg (7.3 lb), under the turntable
• 6× IsoAcoustics ISO-PUCK Mini under the board, about 1.7 kg (3.7 lb) each against a 2.75 kg (6 lb) rating
• Stock feet stay on and levelled
• Total about 10.4 kg (22.9 lb)

Any feedback before I execute and regret this move

Before anyone asks, the right one is considered my first turntable. However, there is like…no room in the living room. So I often play it in the kitchen. The second one was somehow in the attic stored at our backyard which I somehow remembered we had another.

And yes, I am planning on trying to get an upgrade someday.

I bought this Sony PS-LX250h for 30 dollars a week ago but I haven’t been able to get it to play music

We'r searching technical details for two components from the tonearm drive of the Sony PS-LX500: the worm gear and the main gear.
Specifically, I am interested in knowing if anyone knows of any shops that carry these parts?
Or if anyone has technical drawings, exact dimensions, or ready-to-use CAD/STL files, we would fire up the 3D printer.
Thanks in advance for any tips!

I posted about 2 months ago that I bought, relubricated, and replaced rca and power cables to this Dual 1219. It has been working beautifully until today. When I turned on the receiver I noticed a hum from the right speaker (original large advents). When I dropped the needle, the hum continued and the music from the right speaker was very faint. When I touch the cartridge the hum gets louder. Any ideas? Do you think the cart needs to be replaced?

It is time for me to replace the stylus on my SL-1200. I’ve been using the ATVMN95ML microline stylus for some time now - I love the sound of it and how it pretty much eliminates IGD. However, I’ve also been looking into the Shibata stylus as well. Does anyone have any experience with these and can recommend if I should upgrade to the Shibata or stick with the microline?

For the past weeks I have been going crazy about upgrading my setup
I hope this is my last post about that topic
A few days ago I made a post about choosing between the AtVM95ml and sh
Upgrading my Setup is driving me insane :(

MY current situation:

• I have a LP5x with a ATVM95E
• I do not own a external phono preamp
• My amp is a Kenwood 7090r
• Mostly old used records from the 70s/80s/90s (I clean them with my Spinclean)
• I mostly listen to Soul/Funk and Soft/Prog/Jazz/Pop rock
• I prefer a more warm but still detailed sound with clean highs and a punchy bass

And my speakers are the Infinity Alpha 50s (Problem: I have a small room and the distance between me and the speakers is 1.5m , so I think I will have to replace them in some time)

THE BIG PROBLEM:
I can´t decide how to upgrade my setup

Ideas:
Cartridges:
- ATVMN95SH ( from reviews it could fit my taste, is it good enough? )

- AtVM745Ml/H ( Is the LP5x good enough for them and is it worth the extra bucks? / The LP5x does not have changeable Vta, does the 745 harmonize with the Lp5x tonearm? )

Does anyone have a better recommendation?

Phono Preamp:
- Fosi 5x ( is it good enough for either the 745 oder the 95sh?)
- ifi zen phono 3 (would be same/more expensive than the cartridges, is it worth it?/ if i choose the ifi zen phono I would wait a little since its expensive)

Does anyone have a better recommendation?

Or first change my speakers :( / Or first system and the Speaker afterwards, if i choose the cheaper preamp and system I could put that money in even more expensive new speakers (I prefer buying vintage)

The alpha 50s sound good, but they are not made for small rooms and small distance

Budget:
Phono Preamp: I wont spend any more then the ifi zen phono 3 is worth
System: 350, but thats fr my maximum

THANKS FOR ANY HELP IM LOST!!!

*Im german pls excuse my grammar!

I have two technic 1200 mk5 turntables both with tonearm wire mods. The only experience I've had with turntables is direct drive. I was wondering if I could get some opinions on a comparable or better belt drive turntable would be. Vintage or new and preferably under $1200. Thanks in advance.

I'm rebuilding a cheap but pretty Lafayette T-2000 turntable which uses a synchronous motor. The turntable was missing all kinds of parts so I've been slowly piecing it back together with stuff I've found on eBay and in my parts bin.

I'm not super familiar with synchronous motors, but it has a distinct hum when activated and a very slight vibration through the plinth.

Please see the video and listen carefully.

I've lubed the motor bearings top and bottom, and I couldn't see anything "wrong" with any of the windings when I had it apart. The belt is brand new.

The motor chassis is also grounded with a wire directly to the metal frame under the plinth.

Is there anything else I can do to get rid of this hum? Or is the motor just toast and needs new copper windings?

I'm new to this sort of thing, so please help me out. I'm looking for an amplifier for my Sansui SR-333 and I found 2 listings.

The AU-101 is fully working and tested, volume knob is a little scratchy but the buyer suggests to use detox(?). Also, is a matching tuner needed?

The RA-500 works fine and is beautiful, but it has a rough cabinet finish and the original tape selector knob is missing. Is that important?

I don't really care for minimal damage, as long as it works.

Not sure why but my record player crackles, jumps and cuts out a lot between songs but seems completely fine when a songs playing. I've tried two records and it's the same for both. Any help would be appreciated