Another Turntable Offering:
Custom AR EB-101 Turntable in African Mahogany, Sumiko MMT arm, Music Hall Cruise Control, Many Mods, $1795 plus shipping.
Why spend more to buy a refurbished AR turntable from Vinyl Nirvana?
Buying vintage electronic equipment on eBay can be a gamble. To better your chances at winning, you want two things: 1) Plenty of information about the auction item; and 2) A seller you can trust. When an AR turntable is refurbished by Vinyl Nirvana, it undergoes a multi-step inspection and tuning regimen. Ask another seller of aa AR table on Ebay these questions and see if you can get a response…
Is the motor running silently? Any unhealthy bearing noise?
Is the spindle straight? Was the spindle cleaned of old belt residue, which can cause rumble?
Does the belt properly interface with the spindle on both 33 and 45 rpm?
Is the belt new or in near mint condition?
Is the proper length belt installed? (Differences of less than an inch can result in speed changes.)
Is the proper width belt installed? (Differences can result in belt slippage or faulty change of speed.)
Has the platter bearing been inspected? Is it straight, true, and without significant wear?
Has the platter bearing well been inspected? Was it cleaned of old grease and contaminants? Was it properly lubed with appropriate oil?
Is the tonearm functioning properly? Any significant side-to-side motion, which can adversely affect tracking? Is range of motion appropriate? Is anti-skate functioning? Is appropriate tonearm weight installed?
Is cueing adjusted properly?
Were electrical connections cleaned and inspected? Headshell leads? Tonearm recepticle? RCA plugs? (Dirty connections can contribute to hum problems.) Are all connections tight? ( I use Dexoit products, highly recommended.)
Is transport screw intact? Is it functioning properly?
Are dust cover hinges intact and not stripped?
Was all wiring beneath the turntable inspected? Were worn solder joints re-soldered?
What is the condition of the AC cord? The interconnect cable?
Are springs in good working condition? Have worn springs been replaced? Has spring suspension been tuned? (This is an art learned through having set up dozens of these tables.)
Was the speed checked by strobodisc at 33 and 45 rpm?
Was headshell inspected? Is there any stripping? Do the cartridge screws hold tight? Are the leads brittle?
Is the tonearm rest original? Is it functioning properly?
Is a proper mat installed?
Is the base intact? Are the rubber feet intact?
If an AR table fails to pass any of the above inspections, Vinyl Nirvana corrects the problem before it gets listed. If the turntable is unsellable due to too many defects, it becomes a parts unit to be used in the restoration of other AR units. In addition to this multi-step inspection, each turntable is thoroughly detailed with appropriate cleaners. The average cleaning takes up to two hours. Though the tables Vinyl Nirvana sells will vary cosmetically, they will always be clean. See our testimonial page .
This Week’s AR the Turntable in African Mahogany, w/ Sumiko MMT Arm & More
I am excited to list my first AR the Turntable for 2014 in custom African Mahogany plinth. I sold several of these combinations in 2013, then in cherry. The African Mahogany veneer base is made by my plinth-maker, a finish carpenter with over 30 years of experience. It is flat-out gorgeous, and has been finished in five coats of tung oil. When I list one of these, I usually max it out, and this one is no exception! I am offering it with an external Music Hall Cruise Control speed control unit. The Cruise Control allows the ability to switch from 33 to 45 at the push of a button…no more belt changing! (Yes, that makes the old on/off switch strictly vestigial.) In addition, the motor’s noise floor is signifcantly reduced, as the belt stays in the 445 portion of the pulley.
Besides the speed control upgrade, I have installed other modifications: a co-polymer pulley, an upgrade drive platter shaft, an acrylic platter, and a new spring/stud kit. The Bren weight is included. Note a custom dustcover, made by Gingko Audio, the best in the business adds $165.
The Sumiko MMT Tonearm
The MMT was often paired with the AR turntables. It is a well reviewed arm made by Jelco, a Japanese company that has manufactured tonearms for over 40 years. This used arm is in excellent cosmetic condition and outstanding functional condition. There is one area of slight wear on the arm stem and some very slight wear on the original Sumiko headshell. The arm is installed on a custom solid Brazilian cherry armboard. Brazilian cherry is known for its density; our nickname for it is “rock.”
Overall, this is a stunning table with a serious arm capable of handling cartridges in the $200-800 range with ease. If I install the cartridge, it makes set-up incredibly easy for set-up. I would be happy to mount an owner-purchased cartridge for $40.
The Details
The shipping is not included. This table will be packed like it is a fragile pane of glass. I simply care too much for these tables to just shove them in a box. I will carefully pack the table in extra sturdy boxes. and bubble wrap.
I love introducing someone new to the joys of vinyl, getting someone back into vinyl who left it for the “superiority” of cds, or helping someone else who does appreciate it to “move up.” In that regard, I do what few sellers do…if the buyer needs it, I can supply up to one hour of help by phone with set up. (At a mutually arranged time.) In general, most buyers don’t need it, but if there IS a problem, I am there.
Your table is guaranteed to look and work as described, or you may return it within ten days of arrival for a full refund, minus return shipping charges and a 5% restocking fee. After ten days, all returns are for merchandise credit only.
Read what Ben Folds and others have had to say about buying from Vinyl Nirva