New motor definitely! The stock AR-XB is a formidable TT that can compete with others in the four-figure price range. I have one modded by Vinyl Nirvana with a Technics tone arm tube and headshell replacing the stock arm tube and damping applied inside the refinished plinth and platter.
AR-XB. Is it worth a new motor?
I recently purchased an AR-XB for $200 from a gentleman who was selling it for an estate of the original owner. It looked great. I did everything but plug it in as he assured me it only needed a new belt. When I got home, the motor would not turn, although I could feel it humming under my finger. Unfortunately, I bought the tt in Pittsburgh while visiting my son. I hand carried it in its original box as a carry on back to Washington state. My question is, should I bite the bullet for a new $200 motor from Vinyl Nirvana, or chalk it up to experience and move on? Now I know some of you would spend more than that on the wiring for the tonearm, but that's a bit of money for my habit given my finances. The rest of the system is Mac 2100, Mac C26, Acoustat Spectra 1100, Audiolab 6000cdt, Audiolab M+DAC, MIT interconnects. Jazz, acoustic, bluegrass, Americana and vintage rock are what I listen to. Oh, and I have brandy new Ortofon Super OM 20 I was going to use. My back-up table is a Sony PS-LX5.