Well moving house has uncovered my long lost AR 77 XB Turntable and a Thorens TD160 that both need a good clean, some minor repairs and a really good set-up. The AR 77 XB was bought back in the very early 1980's from a second hand shop who had bought, I suspect, bankrupt stock; the turntable was brand new in it's original unopened packaging. He had several out in the shop and one open and almost set up for display, I had never heard of the make but having a look at the design and build quality I decided right there to buy before they were all gone! $99 - they looked to much like a Linn that to turn down at that price would be a missed opportunity. I took it home, set it up and was absolutely delighted at the quality. I borrowed the Shure M55 from the Garrard 35SB I was using but fairly quickly decided to save up for an Ortofon VMS 20E mkII having read good things and having heard played in a local audio shop. My doubts about the very basic arm were dispelled very soon after listening, even with the Shure cartridge, new detail, clarity and an absence of any rumble or other turntable noise made the AR a giant killer for me (although I don't believe the term was around then?) however I do suspect the turntable was never meant to sell for such a low price, I had stumbled onto a gem. Knowing what I know now, the history of AR etc. no wonder they were so good.
Don't get me wrong I would agree the AR is not a Linn, and the arm while fine was not the best, but the simplicity and sound quality put it into a class of it's own; I have heard a few since then albeit sometimes a little modified and sometimes with another arm installed, I could live with the original AR 77XB even now.
But tweak it, sure, and within it's limits, like many turntables, if you believe the blogs and numerous tweaker sites, this turntable can be really something.
Don't get me wrong I would agree the AR is not a Linn, and the arm while fine was not the best, but the simplicity and sound quality put it into a class of it's own; I have heard a few since then albeit sometimes a little modified and sometimes with another arm installed, I could live with the original AR 77XB even now.
But tweak it, sure, and within it's limits, like many turntables, if you believe the blogs and numerous tweaker sites, this turntable can be really something.