Okay. The last time I listed this I scared folks away because I was (too) frank about the crummy stock chipboard base. No more.Steve Frosten (AK'er sfrost) stripped and refinished a solid AR walnut base for the 'table & applied a heavy solid black (MDF?) sub-base to lift the unit further off the surface as well as to increase overall rigidity. Good quality hard rubber feet grip the surface beneath and provide isolation. It looks perfect. The photos don't do the finish on the base justice. It is a rich, deep walnut (the photos make it look more red). RCA's and a separate ground lug are mounted on the back, so you can use the phono cables of your choice. The 'table features Marc Morin's arm re-wire & jeweled bearings, platter bearing upgrade, sub-chassis mod, Linn springs, etc. Steve took the existing plinth down to the metal and beautifully refinished it, dampened the pulley and installed a NOS Audio Technica AT-6005 pneumatic arm lift ($150 value), which works flawlessly. It comes with an ADC XLM cartridge body, and genuine XLM II Integra and XLM II Improved stylii. I purchased the XLM II Integra stylus recently from V-M, and it has less than 50 hours play and is in like-new condition. The XLM II Improved stylus came with the table (from AK'er rcsckramp), also purchased by him from V-M. Both stylii are genuine ADC units, not aftermarket jobs. (I also have a spare NOS, NIB ADC XLM II Integra stylus from V-M that I can sell along with the 'table at my $40 cost if you like.) This XA sounds fantastic with this cart/stylus combination. AB'ed against a custom AR rebuild with a Merrill subchassis and motor and a much better 'arm sporting variously a vdH cart (I don't remember which one) and then a Benz Micro Wood. While not in the same league, the comparison did not embarrass the AR-XA either. Also included are a very good quality Merrill (Gem Dandy) cork/rubber mat that retails for $60, and a custom place-on clear acrylic dust cover. $495 + shipping from 10940. Local pickup encouraged. PP friends and family, please, or add 3% to the total. Rated 7 for age only. Thanks for looking. NOTE: The last 2 photos were taken before the new base and sub-base were installed.
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