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Acoustic Research AR-XA Turntable with original box.This is one of the cleanest examples of this model we've seen here, and includes the original AR box.The Acoustic Research AR-XA is a legendary vintage belt-drive turntable celebrated for its minimalist design and innovative three-point suspended subchassis that delivers exceptionally warm, isolated analog sound.This unit is in great working condition. Platter spins at correct speeds. On/Off switch works great. Very little cosmetic wear. There is no rubber or cork platter mat (easily obtained online)Comes with Pickering V-15/AT-3 Cartridge (cartridge & stylus work great). See photos 5 & 6.Comes with original factory shipping box & extras (see last 4 photos).Local pick up only at our Milwaukee, WI store.In the Milwaukee Area? Stop in our shop to inspect/demoSee our feedback and thank you for considering. All the gear we sell is packaged with great care for safe arrival in the condition advertised and backed up by our 14 day full refund policy in the event you are not happy for any reason.Local Pickup at our shop in Milwaukee, WIMilwaukee Vintage10220 W. Greenfield AveMilwaukee, WIOpen Tues-Friday 11-6Saturday 11-3
This US$550 asking price for a used Pickering V-15 cartridge is ambitious, sitting well above the typical used market range of roughly US$40 to US$120 for this vintage model, and clearly exceeds the 75th percentile. While the Pickering V-15 is a well-regarded, high-output phono cartridge from the early 1970s known for its blistering 6.6 mV output and solid tracking, buyers should be cautious at this price point unless the unit is in pristine, original-owner condition with a rare, high-quality stylus included.
The V-15’s genuine upside lies in its ability to deliver dynamic, engaging sound with minimal preamp gain requirements, making it a timing-friendly choice for modern setups with low-gain inputs. However, given the price is above median, verify the stylus condition carefully—common wear or missing original accessories would make this a poor buy. If the listing includes a verified, upgraded elliptical stylus like the D1500 and shows no age-related damage, it could still be a worthwhile opportunity for enthusiasts seeking a classic, high-output cartridge.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Pickering is an American hi-fi name, founded in the 1940s by engineer and inventor Norman C. Pickering. Norman Pickering was a major audio figure and co-founder of the Audio Engineering Society, and his work helped shape the modern phono cartridge during the postwar rise of high fidelity. The company grew out of his earlier pickup and cartridge development work in New York, where Pickering & Company was established to serve both broadcasters and the emerging consumer market.
The brand is primarily associated with phono cartridges and pickup systems, not with a broad modern electronics lineup. In other words, Pickering is known for turntable-related analog front-end products rather than amplifiers, speakers, DACs, or headphones. Its reputation is tied to classic moving-magnet cartridges and the vinyl era, which makes the name especially familiar to collectors, archivists, and vintage-turntable enthusiasts.
In the market, Pickering sits more as a vintage-collector and specialist analog brand than as a current high-end or mass-market hi-fi player. Among knowledgeable buyers, it carries historical credibility for cartridge design and broadcast use, but it is not usually discussed alongside today’s active premium audio brands. For many listeners, Pickering is a respected legacy name whose value now lies in its classic cartridges, replacement styli, and its place in hi-fi history.
See all Pickering listings on RADAR.
