Hi Cat. I bought a new AR-XA in 1970 which offered exceptional performance per dollar. I later bought another one used and replaced the arm with a Mayware. So far as I know each model update from the original were improvements.
Just over a year ago I picked up an early (two motor) AR-XA from some elderly folks along with their LP collection since they didn't play it any longer. After a bit of a clean up, work on one of the motors (hadn't been played in years so had gummed up), and a new belt it worked great and I sold it for them for $140. That had the original headshell and dust cover which helped the value.
FYI AR authorized removal of the damping pin in the tonearm which eased motion and improved performance. I would recommend that on a stock AR arm.
Just over a year ago I picked up an early (two motor) AR-XA from some elderly folks along with their LP collection since they didn't play it any longer. After a bit of a clean up, work on one of the motors (hadn't been played in years so had gummed up), and a new belt it worked great and I sold it for them for $140. That had the original headshell and dust cover which helped the value.
FYI AR authorized removal of the damping pin in the tonearm which eased motion and improved performance. I would recommend that on a stock AR arm.