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Note: Want to stay updated about this release? Throw your email in the interest check field above. The pictured turntable is a prototype and doesn't necessarily reflect the production version. Want to provide feedback? Email salad directly at contact@salad.design.
The 1961 AR-XA reborn
The Salad SA-XC turntable revives the legendary design of the 1961 Acoustic Research AR-XA, bringing back into production an updated version of one of the most significant turntables of all time. With a modern tonearm and wood construction, it marries contemporary performance with mid-century charm. Salad’s reimagining of the AR-XA has involved updating its components while maintaining its iconic simplicity and acoustic principles.
Key aspects of the remake include:
- Quality Materials: Choice of solid wood or painted MDF plinths
- Enhanced Components: Upgrading the motor, platter bearing, and isolation feet to reduce noise and improve speed stability.
- Electronics: Options for modern conveniences like a DC motor with electronic speed control, pre-installed phono preamps, or Bluetooth connectivity for versatility are all being considered based on feedback.
- Design Aesthetics: Retain the AR-XA’s understated mid-century modern elegance while offering customizable finishes to suit contemporary tastes.
- User Experience: Create a rock-solid turntable and make a product that can be modified easily and repaired with easy-to-source components, ensuring the XC lives on for decades to come.
Who is Salad?
Salad is a collective of designers established in 2024 in Seattle, WA with the goal of "designing products that move us". The group is made up of engineers and designers who have worked in manufacturing, audio engineering, music production, tech startups, and film production.
Our take
Tom at Apos here, ready to eat my weight in this upcoming product from Salad. If you're a longtime fan of vinyl then no doubt you've heard of the AR-XA, a legend for both its sound quality and construction, which is so strong that the turntable won't skip even when you hit it with an actual hammer (see video below). We call this The Hammer Test. Probably don't try it with your turntable at home. Because I've never gotten the chance to purchase an AR-XA of my own, I'm thrilled about this updated modern version, which we're hoping to demo at both the Bay Area SBAF Meetup and CanJam NYC in February. Stop by and let us know what you think.