Reminiscing about Dual and AR turntables

My first stereo system included a Dual 1009, then the second system was built around an AR-XA, so I pay attention to mention of either line.

Just check discussion at VinylEngine and you'll find lots of interest in both, each one having its own comment section.

Almost everyone who is old enough went through the cycle of owning an AR-XA and a Dual of some type or other.  I think those turntables can be regarded with nostalgia but not a desire to re-visit them, albeit one or two of the Dual turntables can be brought up to decent performance by modern standards, with a lot of TLC.  Dual made the first direct-drive turntable with the first coreless motor, after all.

@lewm 

So do you think in general, the Thorens are better and easier to buy used?

E

I would avoid the 60’s/70’s AR, the XA and XB---it’s tonearm was not so hot, though the table was fine for what it was. The ES-1, introduced in the mid-80’s with an outsourced arm (Jelco? Audioquest?), the arm weakness of the XA/B cured and therefore a much better total package, can be had for relative peanuts.

I picked up a 1984 AR ES-1 last year for $250.  In good shape and it came with the Grace 707 tonearm and a Grado XF1 cartridge.  I replaced the cart with a new Grado Gold 1 MM and it really sounds lovely for the price and looks awesome (to me) in cherry veneer.

My very first record player (78,45/33/16) was a Webcor....I moved to a BSR, a Miracord, then a serious turntable called a Bogen, Rek-O-Kut, Thorens. etc., etc.

Erik, with what I already mentioned, I owned used two AR-XAs in my systems early on in the hobby.  More recently I restored two others for friends.  When testing the restored versions I was surprised by the very good musical qualities they continued to offer.  I would avoid the earliest 2-motor versions.  Not saying they compete with $2K and up current arm/tables, but still decent and satisfying.

Regarding the AR arm, yes it is often criticized, so some have been replaced.  The problem is it is not simple to modify the metal T-bar the arm mounts to, or the steel top cover if repositioning is required.  But the original arm can be modified for some improvements.  First off would be removing the damping pin.  Then, particularly because of age, it can be rewired.  One weakness is the plastic headshell (it is often broken plus does not allow for offset alignment).  That can be addressed by replacing the entire arm tube/headshell.  Possibly taking parts from an otherwise damaged Technics or similar.

Like so much in used audio, the main considerations may be condition and price of what you find between AR and Dual models.

Had AR turntable with JBL 99 speaker when i used to rock out but never had automatic turntable.Have a much better turntable now TW AC1 with TW 10.5 arm and Transfiguration Proteus.Enjoy!!

I took my AR XA to a machine shop and had the tone arm's bearing well on the T-bar subchassis cut out. I enlarged the hole in the table's top plate myself, and mounted a Formula 4 unipivot arm in the hole on the T-bar. The AR ES-1 is almost identical to the XA/B, but with a mounting plate for either the optional AR arm or one of your choice. For the price the ES-1 sells for, I would opt for it over the XA/B.

I would not take an AR for free. I still own a Dual Golden One, but do not use it much. The op forgot Garrard. Garrard made a few turntables well regarded to this day, the 301, and 401. Otherwise most Garrard are also only nostalgia. My first TT was a Garrard Lab 80, idler wheel , wood tonearm.   Then all those Japanese brands.   
On the other hand, Thorens are still being modified and used.  
Noatalgia is powerful for some folks. Not me.                       
My main TT is a Kuzma Stabi Stogi S I bought it here in the goN; Have not seen another one here since. LOL

Erik, I am not sure what you mean by “better and easier to buy”.  The vintage Thorens turntables that receive a lot of attention are the TD 124 and the TD 125. There are later models that are also admired by some and used by many. I think all of those turntables are inherently far superior to the AR and generally the Dual turntables as well. The Thorens  turntables may be more plentiful on the used market because more of them were purchased to begin With. Therefore I guess you could say they are “easier to buy”. I am not a big fan of the TD 124 myself, but that’s just my opinion.

@lewm 

By "easier to buy" i really meant easier to own. I can buy them and leave them alone instead of buying and modding or fiddling with them. :) 

Best,

E

I had an AR turntable back in 1984. The table itself wasn't bad and was fairly attractive looking. But that stock tonearm.... What a piece of Taiwan junk. Poor tracking,  you could see the arm sway back and forth as it played. It had a resonance that came from the motor that was audible during quiet music passages. The head shell developed connection problems if you removed it to much. The dealer "begged" me to buy the table without the stock arm as he was well aware of these short comings. He said a Premier MMT tonearm would be a much better choice with that table if I could spring for another $100 or so. But back then, my funds were limited and went completely stock to save some coins. Big mistake. I later listened to a friends AR table with the Premier MMT tonearm and it sounded absolutely wonderful.