2026 vs 1962 Turntable Design | AR XA Acoustic Research

David and Mark go through Edgar Villchur's original 1962 Audio magazine article on the AR XA and ask how much of it still holds up in 2026. Follow along with the article here: https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Arc... Villchur was a genuine pioneer, and this turntable inspired the sprung turntable philosophy of iconic decks like the Thorens TD 160, the Ariston and eventually the Linn LP12. This isn't a hit piece. But we are spring sceptics, and this is the most famously sprung turntable ever made. We argue why an isolation rack may work by earthing vibration rather than blocking it, why the vibration trying to escape your turntable matters more than the vibration trying to get in, and why silicone in a tonearm bearing is a bad idea. 00:00 A 1962 design, judged in 2026 03:41 The hammer advert and the case for springs 10:59 The headphone test that changed Mark's mind 16:29 $58 in 1962 — and the article that explained it 21:22 Villchur's seven requirements for a record player 31:56 Spring placement, centre of gravity and low-torque motors 39:16 Counterweights, tracking force and pivot height 43:02 Inside the tonearm: bearings, graunch and silicone Origin Live has built turntables and tonearms in the UK since 1986. Website: https://www.originlive.com/ Articles: Like & subscribe for more on Vinyl Replay. #vinyl #turntable #plattermat #hifi #audiophile #strata #originlive #vinylcommunity