There’s something truly extraordinary about the AR XA turntable that sets it apart from others. While it may not be the most glamorous in appearance, it hides a remarkable feature: the floating sub-chassis. 

This innovative design element works wonders in minimizing noise and vibrations, ensuring a pure audio experience. In this review, I’ll delve into this and discuss other standout features that make the AR XA a hidden gem in the world of turntables.

AR (Acoustic Research) XA Turntable Overview

Built around 1961, the AR XA turntable introduced the industry to creative engineering. Notable features of this vintage turntable include an S-shaped tonearm, a floating sub-chassis, and a hefty platter. Users generally appreciate the unit’s sound quality, which remains competitive to this date. 

Technical Specifications

Check out the turntable’s specifications below:

  • 2-speed (33 1/3 and 45 rpm)
  • Belt drive
  • S-shaped tonearm
  • Floating sub-chassis
  • Hefty platter

The deck’s S-shaped tonearm enables it to track grooves more accurately, allowing you to enjoy your music. Unfortunately, the unit doesn’t come with a cartridge; you have to buy one. There’s a heavy platter, which ensures consistent speed and minimizes wow and flutter.

Only 2-speed options are provided—33 1/3 and 45 rpm. This can be an inconvenience if you want to play old Shellac discs.

AR (Acoustic Research) XA Turntable Drive Mechanism

The AR XA turntable uses the belt drive system to prevent motor vibrations from being transmitted to the record and needle. In this case, the motor is positioned on the top plate instead of the sub-chassis. This mechanism decreases motor-induced noise so you can enjoy smoother and cleaner sound. 

The main downsides of the system are maintenance difficulty and the likelihood of the motor accumulating dust easily, impacting the unit’s performance.

Is AR (Acoustic Research) XA Turntable Automatic or Manual?

This deck is fully manual, offering a no-frills experience. It only has an on/off button with no speed selection button, start/stop controls, or pitch adjustments. You have to position the stylus on the record by hand, and there’s no arm lift, either. The turntable is designed for simplicity, offering a straightforward, bare-bones approach to vinyl playback.

Usability and Portability of AR (Acoustic Research) XA Turntable

Generally, XA is user-friendly as far as playing records and cueing the tonearm is concerned. Changing the speed is also straightforward; switching from 33 1/3 to 45 rpm only requires moving the belt from the upper to the lower part of the pulley and vice versa. The setup process can be challenging, though. This is particularly true if you have to install a new tonearm or cartridge.

In terms of portability, XA is relatively heavy, so moving it regularly is not a good idea. The unit’s design features a floating sub-chassis with springs that support the platter and tonearm. You also risk destabilizing these springs and causing the turntable to have alignment and performance issues. In any case, it’s advisable to keep the deck in a stable, stationary place.    

AR (Acoustic Research) XA Turntable Design & Build

XA looks decent, given its age. The base is made from thick brown wood, giving the unit a classic, vintage charm. You have the AR logo on the front panel’s far left side. 

The hefty platter occupies a large portion of the base, with only a single on/off switch on the surface, reinforcing the unit’s minimalist design. XA doesn’t have feet or a dust cover. Overall, the turntable’s construction is robust and the durable materials used have really contributed to its longevity.

Connectivity & Sound Performance of AR (Acoustic Research) XA Turntable: Phenomenal, but…

The deck is purely analog, so modern features like Bluetooth or USB are unavailable. All you have are the usual RCA output cables to help connect the unit to a phono preamp or directly to an amplifier with a phono input. An external phono stage is needed since XA has no built-in preamp.

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The word “phenomenal” perfectly describes the deck’s sound quality. You would think that XA’s performance would deteriorate after decades of use, but that’s not the case. This attests to its solid engineering. The setup sounds great, involving, clean, with low distortion and incredibly quiet backgrounds. However, you will have to invest in a good cartridge to experience this.

Main Technology Perks of AR (Acoustic Research) XA Turntable

One of the main notable technologies in XA is the floating sub-chassis. Aside from being unique, this design does a great job of keeping noise out of the system for cleaner sound reproduction.

The arm is also well isolated from vibrations and acoustic feedback through the mounting system (which is part of the floating sub-chassis design). This ensures accurate tracking and protects your records from damage.

Pricing

AR XA is sold for $275 on eBay, but you will have to service some of its parts, including the motor. You also need to get a new tonearm/cartridge.

How to Setup & Use AR (Acoustic Research) XA Turntable?

Given that this turntable was built in the early 1960s and is no longer in production, you may likely find one with missing or worn features. Here’s the installation process: 

  1. Assess the turntable’s condition and note any damaged or missing components, such as the platter, belt, or cartridge. Replace features as necessary. You can purchase vintage or compatible parts from audio shops or online marketplaces.  
  2. Place the platter onto the spindle and ensure it rotates freely.
  3. If the deck comes with the original S-shaped tonearm, ensure it’s mounted properly. In case you have bought a new one, set it up.
  4. Fix the cartridge to the headshell.
  5. Place the belt in the platter’s inner rim and around the motor pulley.
  6. Ensure the sub-chassis balances well and floats freely. You may tweak the suspension springs as necessary.
  7. Attach RCA cables to your amplifier.
  8. Fine-tune the tracking force on the tonearm to align with the specifications on the cartridge.
  9. Place the record on the platter and cue the tonearm for the stylus to track your grooves.
  10. Enjoy!

To optimize the performance of the AR XA turntable, ensure you get a good quality cartridge that can extract details from your records. You can also lubricate some of the turntable parts, e.g., motor bearings, tonearm pivot, and pulley and belt area. 

Remember to always use clean records and keep the entire deck free from dust if you don’t want to compromise the unit’s performance.

Overall Impression About AR (Acoustic Research) XA Turntable?

If anything, this unit is enough evidence that great engineering doesn’t go out of style. It continues to produce exceptional sound, often surpassing some of the newer turntables made with quality components and materials.

Pros

Check the advantages below:

  • Durable
  • Creative design
  • User-friendly
  • Great sound performance
  • Low resonance

Cons

Here are the disadvantages:

  • No built-in preamp
  • No modern features

Who Is It For?

AR AX can be used by both beginner and experienced audiophiles. Every vinyl enthusiast deserves to experience this classic unit and appreciate the exceptional engineering behind such a remarkable piece of equipment.

Final Verdict

I recommend this turntable, especially if you want a classic vinyl experience reminiscent of the 1960s and 1970s. You are definitely going to get value for your money, given the incredible sound it produces. However, since it’s an older model, you have to find a reliable vendor to get a quality deck. Expert help may also be necessary to service and maintain the drive mechanism.