AR Turntables as a starter table?

Crm-line,swampwalker,Schumacher,Rbianconi THANKS ALL! I guess 4 for 4 are suggesting old AR's might be a good way to go. Crm-line, I have included the Rega Planar on my short list. Swampwalker, XA's are now ~30 years and still going strong . I am trying to figure out the model sequence in orded to determine the ages of the various models. Appreciate the input. Schumacher, the LINN is certainly on the short list of "dream tables" for me at a later date. I'll email you for details on the EB101. Rbianconi, your ES1 is 9-10 years old now, do you know if the ES1 was the "end of the line" for AR tables? So far, it appears to me that the TA's are the oldest, followed by the X-line (XA) followed by the 101s with the ES as the end of the line. Can any of you either confirm or correct me? Again thanks, Bart Dickens

Bart, An AR 'table in good condition is a respectable performer on its' own. But check out Merrill's website (www.merrillaudio.com), and with some very cost effective upgrades, you'll have a 'table that is far better than a Planar 3. Merrill ceased building his own 'table some years ago, but still sells upgrades for the AR's. Just so you know, I'm not a Rega fan - I guess my ears are just too sensitive to the speed instability problems inherent with the P2 and P3.

Bcowen, Bravo! Thanks, I logged onto the merrillaudio.com site and spent the next half hour exploring the entire site. Looks like if I can find a reasonably priced 'table, the new sub-chasis etc. might be a good way to go. Rega's web site is currently under construction. I tried to log on because I was curious as to wether their 'tables are direct drive or belt driven. Your comment about speed instability got me wondering. Again thanks, first thing I'll do is get their book on setting up 'tables. Bart Dickens