Giorgio AR Posted March 30, 2019 Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 Finally I have a couple of AR3a positioned in horizontal !! Purchased over a year ago, they were missing a woofer and a non-functioning tweeter. All the original speakers were dated early 1974. I bought a woofer (6/29/71) and a tweeter (9/21/71), they have been restored and now they are in full working order. I replaced all the capacitors, except for the 150 mF (perfect), cleaned and restored the pots and finally positioned on top of my other ARs horizontally, they sound great. Just restored and refoamed the woofer (12/2/72), I will pair this in place of the 1974 woofer to have pair with woofers of the same series. I publish the photos of the restoration and final location, now they sound piloted by McIntosh Mac4280 These three photos are the newly purchased speakers Woofer and tweeter (74 01 is the original non-functioning tweeter: 1.1 ohm) The crossover before and after restored Finished work AR3a positioned horizontally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samberger0357 Posted March 30, 2019 Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 Beautiful job! How do you like them horizontally? I've tried mine both ways, and I think I like them vertically just a bit more. Seems like a I get a little better bottom end. But it's negligible and I could easily live with them horizontally if I had to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio AR Posted March 30, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 Before the AR3a, in their place there were the Heathkit AS-2a (like the AR2a, they were born with the dual midrange conformation to be positioned in horizontal) and they sounded better than the vertical position. I honestly cannot see any difference between the two types of positioning, but the satisfaction of having the AR3a positioned as they were intended is great. After the restoration the sound was very closed in the medium and high frequencies (they were laid on the floor in a vertical position and inclined at about 12 °, the same inclination of the Cizek stands), and with too evident bass. Now after about 50 and more hours of running, and positioned as you see in the last photos, they sound incredible, in my opinion better than the underlying AR3a improved (these after refoaming and changing the capacitors still need some hours to express themselves to the best). I missed the horizontal position of the AR speakers and for years I really wanted to assign a couple of AR3s to be put in this position!I have never managed to position the AR speakers horizontally and for years I really wanted to allocate a couple of AR3s to be placed in this position, they are not in a library (which I don't have), but thanks to the stacking on top of other speakers, it's almost simulated placement as in a library! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samberger0357 Posted March 30, 2019 Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 You've inspired me to turn 'em on their sides! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ra.ra Posted March 31, 2019 Report Share Posted March 31, 2019 3 hours ago, samberger0357 said: ....to turn 'em on their sides! They'll sound even better if you rotate the badges, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samberger0357 Posted March 31, 2019 Report Share Posted March 31, 2019 5 minutes ago, ra.ra said: They'll sound even better if you rotate the badges, too! Hey let's not completely crazy here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ra.ra Posted March 31, 2019 Report Share Posted March 31, 2019 Comment made mostly in jest, of course, but I've always appreciated how 'classic' AR badges with threaded screw are perfectly located such that a quick 90-degree rotation keeps the badge placed "just right" when you decide to change the orientation. I do not tend to use dedicated speaker stands, and I often prefer the visual look of horizontal placement when the speaker configuration allows for it. And usually - but not always - my preference seems to be for woofers inboard, tweeters outboard. 6 hours ago, Giorgio AR said: ....a couple of AR3a positioned in horizontal.......Just restored..... Those look really great - - good job with the re-cap. Plus, you've got a fantastic collection of AR speakers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio AR Posted March 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2019 Samberger0357, you have a nice, great environment, and I see that you also have the Mr77 tuner, as well as a Mc2105 as an amplifier (the tuner in my opinion is comparable as sound to the best Cd players). If I remember correctly, do you also have a pair of AR2s that you changed the dual tweeter to? How and where are the AR2s? Ra.ra: the AR3a have ended up in the restoration of the components (I only need to replace the original woofer with that of '72 when this will be refoamed), a grille fabric remains to be repaired: there is a hole and it must be repaired in the best possible and the result must be almost invisible; moreover on a speakers (the one on the right) the frame is broken at the bottom (about 18 "total of lack) and this will be the most difficult job, clearly with my rhythms, it will take a long time. I thank Acoustic Research engineers and workers for making me fall in love with these speakers, I started the collection and restoration of AR speakers (the beginning was with AR2a) before I learned about CLS, but after meeting this site, my passion and interest has grown enormously and the "collection" of AR speakers has increased to reach the 15 pairs I have now! P.S. The capacitors are mounted on a 1972 Masonite base that belonged to a National Panasonic turntable that I demolished, with which I have reconstructed other details of my ARs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio AR Posted March 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2019 Below the photo of the broken and missing frame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samberger0357 Posted March 31, 2019 Report Share Posted March 31, 2019 Giorgio you have a good memory. I do have a pair of 2's and still use them occasionally. They are completeley original, and I use them with a pair of JanZen 1-30 tweeter arrays. If I didnt have my 3a's I would use them a lot more. They presently sit under the 3a's so that when I want to use them, I simply remove the 3a's, put the 1-30's on top, and I'm ready for action. That is a 2105, but alas the tuner is only a lowly MR 73. But it meets my needs and does sound good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ar_pro Posted March 31, 2019 Report Share Posted March 31, 2019 Years & years ago, when we had stacked AR-3a speakers, they were placed on their sides on two pairs of the AR-11 metal stands, with the tweeters oriented to the outside. In that particular space, it seemed the better approach. Giorgio - I'm envious of your AR collection, especially the Euro-style AR-3a which looks very cool. Sam - The MR73 is a great tuner, and a nice addition to your vintage Mac collection. And is that a Nakamichi cassette deck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio AR Posted March 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2019 Mr77 gives you even the medium waves that with the AR speakers sound very well, the Mc2105 is a tank and makes everything sound good, to complete the triptych, I also own the C28, now stopped waiting to be revised (it blows almost like the Bora that we have here in Trieste), in its place now I use a Ming Da MC7 (with valves 5AR4 Mullard, 12AX7 Telefunken and 12AU7 Philips) that despite the quality tubes is quite inferior to the C28 !! I am attaching the photo of the McIntosh components, contained in a piece of furniture that belonged to a radio station also in the early 70s !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samberger0357 Posted March 31, 2019 Report Share Posted March 31, 2019 1 hour ago, ar_pro said: Years & years ago, when we had stacked AR-3a speakers, they were placed on their sides on two pairs of the AR-11 metal stands, with the tweeters oriented to the outside. In that particular space, it seemed the better approach. Giorgio - I'm envious of your AR collection, especially the Euro-style AR-3a which looks very cool. Sam - The MR73 is a great tuner, and a nice addition to your vintage Mac collection. And is that a Nakamichi cassette deck? I'm envious of Giorgio's collection, too! I like the 73. It needs some restoration, but as I said for what I use it for it meets my needs. Yes, it's a ZX-7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio AR Posted March 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2019 ar_pro, the AR3a with the Europeean cabinet, they do not have the furniture in perfect condition (sooner or later it will return to its original splendor), I am attaching the detailed photos of the AR3a improved with aesthetics like new that I have (the woofers date these speakers 74 18, a few weeks more recent than the AR3a with original woofer, if I'm not mistaken 74 10) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ar_pro Posted April 4, 2019 Report Share Posted April 4, 2019 Those are simply beautiful. I've always preferred the painted backs of the Euro AR speakers, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio AR Posted April 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2019 As you see, I do not have the USA cabinet, the 2 pairs of my AR3a both have euro style. I always wait for my AR3 pair to have the original cabinet! Giorgio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankmarsi Posted April 6, 2019 Report Share Posted April 6, 2019 Buon-giorno, ascolto and let me say; rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. I might add that my system is sounding better than it ever has since I began five decades (half a century) ago.* Giorgio, may I suggest that you frequent the e-bay pages in Britain, you never know when some may show up. Italia also has many vintage hi-fi fans and many super 'high-end' fans too. In facto, I'm considering a 'Gold-Note' PH10 phono-stage, a high quality and fair priced unit that's flexible and able to be modified, and is also made in Italia. If you're into vinyl as I am, I've learned many new good quality pressings are coming out of Spain, Holland and Germany. If and when you might purchase anything, my advice is to communicate with the seller and make sure if needed you are able to return if 'not as described'. I've purchased many hi-fi items from Canada, England, Germany, Japan, China and Australia and never had a problem because I asked questions and made the seller aware of my knowledge of the item I was interested in. I've purchased six pricey high-end phono-cartridges from England, and another from Japan along with four S.U.T.'s with-out any difficulties or problems and was always completely satisfied. Additionally I've purchased eight S.M.E. tonearms from England and three tonearms from Japan and never regretted my actions in doing so. Study the included fotos and the asking of to the point questions has always worked for me. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=acoustic+research+speakers&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.Xphase+linear.TRS0&_nkw=acoustic+research+speakers&_sacat=0 * A brand new Benz-Micro 'Gull-Wing' MC cartridge is the reason my system has reached new and lofty levels of sound quality. I've put over 50 hours on it thus far so, it's almost fully broken-in and has reached its ultimate level of total audio bliss. I've done nothing except listen to it almost everyday neglecting my other cartridges it's that good. Below is the reason my AR-LST's are sounding the best they ever have. It's the three year winner in a row of 'Editor's Choice' in "The Absolute Sound" Magazine, 2015, 2016 & 2017 and it also won in 2012. Clearly and once again proving that a vintage system can be updated to compete with the better and newer technology systems of today. It must be heard to be believed. I wish that every one could have one. I'm more than thrilled and certainly elated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio AR Posted April 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2019 Hi Frank You're right, in the English market I saw selling AR at more reasonable prices, especially AR6 and AR7 series AR3a improved !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio AR Posted April 8, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2019 On 4/6/2019 at 7:15 PM, frankmarsi said: Buon-giorno, ascolto and let me say; rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. I might add that my system is sounding better than it ever has since I began five decades (half a century) ago.* Giorgio, may I suggest that you frequent the e-bay pages in Britain, you never know when some may show up. Italia also has many vintage hi-fi fans and many super 'high-end' fans too. In facto, I'm considering a 'Gold-Note' PH10 phono-stage, a high quality and fair priced unit that's flexible and able to be modified, and is also made in Italia. If you're into vinyl as I am, I've learned many new good quality pressings are coming out of Spain, Holland and Germany. If and when you might purchase anything, my advice is to communicate with the seller and make sure if needed you are able to return if 'not as described'. I've purchased many hi-fi items from Canada, England, Germany, Japan, China and Australia and never had a problem because I asked questions and made the seller aware of my knowledge of the item I was interested in. I've purchased six pricey high-end phono-cartridges from England, and another from Japan along with four S.U.T.'s with-out any difficulties or problems and was always completely satisfied. Additionally I've purchased eight S.M.E. tonearms from England and three tonearms from Japan and never regretted my actions in doing so. Study the included fotos and the asking of to the point questions has always worked for me. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=acoustic+research+speakers&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.Xphase+linear.TRS0&_nkw=acoustic+research+speakers&_sacat=0 * A brand new Benz-Micro 'Gull-Wing' MC cartridge is the reason my system has reached new lofty levels of quality. I've put over 50 hours on it thus far so, it's almost fully broken-in and has reached its ultimate level of total audio bliss. I've done nothing except listen to it almost everyday neglecting my other cartridges it's that good. Hi Frank, I don't listen with the turntable (the floor of my house is elastic !!) I update the photo with my "AR2 wall" composed of 3 pairs of 12 "woofers, 1 pair 10" 2 pairs 10 " Only the AR LSTs to complete the picture are absent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capitol C Posted April 25, 2019 Report Share Posted April 25, 2019 A late reply to your topic: I restored the AR 3as that I bought around 1972 (thanks to the excellent restoration guide posted on this site!), but was disappointed with the results vertically on stands in my largish living room. I tried lots of things, moving the chairs and hassock out of the room, lowering and raising the thick curtains, moving the speakers closer together, farther apart, closer and farther from the windows, and nothing helped--the sound was kind of anemic. I was wondering if I'd messed up the restoration, but the speakers sounded the same when they were next to each other, so if I messed something up, I did it twice.Then I moved the speakers to my library on to built-in bookshelves, and the difference was remarkable. They are closer to the listener, but probably most importantly they were made to be placed on bookshelves. The bass goes deep, the treble is sharp, they are just as satisfying as I remember them being when they were new. I also bought, with my wife's encouragement, a pair of GoldenEar Triton 2+ speakers for the living room, and they sound fantastic, too. They are also very forgiving about room placement and nearby furniture. I have to say, though, that choosing between the ARs on shelves or the GoldenEars on the floor would be difficult, the are both very satisfying. More bass on the GoldenEars, but the difference isn't very much on most music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capitol C Posted April 25, 2019 Report Share Posted April 25, 2019 PS: Sergio, my wife is from Salerno. Way down south relative to you, but still from the country that produces the best food, wine, and women! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio AR Posted April 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2019 Capitol C, beautiful living, and beautiful library, I had already seen your AR3a painted black (if I remember correctly it was your wife's wish) and I really like the look they have. I wish you a good evening, Giorgio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capitol C Posted April 28, 2019 Report Share Posted April 28, 2019 I apologize, I have no idea why I wrote Sergio! Well, unless it has something to do with my age. My house is from about 1865, but for some reason the floors do not bounce very much. The walls are brick, and the floor joists go into holes in the brick walls. Maybe since the house is only 5.5 meters wide, and the joists are 7.6 cm by 23 cm of old-growth "heart pine", the floors are pretty rigid. Even though I listen to mostly CDs, I enjoy vinyl, too. You should put that wall shelf high on your list of things to do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio AR Posted April 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2019 Beautiful the condominium in which you live, nice comparison with the vintage photo in black and white, the trees have been very well cared for over the years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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