I'm puzzled at why this supposedly amazing turntable would come with a
tonearm that used a plastic headshell. Considering that plastic perhaps
vibrates less than metal could that be a reason? Any thoughts?

Nicole.

"Nicole Kidman" wrote in message
5...
I'm puzzled at why this supposedly amazing turntable would come with a
tonearm that used a plastic headshell. Considering that plastic perhaps
vibrates less than metal could that be a reason? Any thoughts?

Nicole.

No, just cheap.
The XA was a college student favorite, a minimalist design, at a minimal
price. I paid $79.95 for mine.

The tone arm also lacks other features of modern tone arms, such as a two
point bearing gimbal in the horizontal plane, an antiskate adjustment, and a
cueing mechanism. All this was sacrificed for economy. The platter/motor
adjustment rates much higher on the scale of things, which is the principle
reason for the endearing popularity of this piece.

At your salary per film, I would think you could afford a better table .

"Nicole Kidman" wrote in message
5

I'm puzzled at why this supposedly amazing turntable would come with a
tonearm that used a plastic headshell.

Plastic headshells weren't that unusual in inexpensive turntables and
changers of the day.

Considering that plastic
perhaps vibrates less than metal could that be a reason? Any thoughts?

The plastic headshell was the least of the AR turntable's tonearm problems.
Leading issues related to friction both horizontally and vertically. The arm
was sorta competent at 2 grams tracking force and above, but quite
incompetent below 1.5 grams. When it was introduced it was marginal, but as
cartridge technology advanced it became problematical.