@rauliruegas Thank you for your kind words. The main problem i had trying to get good sound from the ADC for over a month was because I had the leads misconnected, as you know this cartridge connects the four pins in a different arrangement from the standard. It was not until I read the manual and noticed this difference ...very stupid mistake ...mea culpa. After rectifing this I have being enjoying very much this cartridge.. yes as you say it sounds more like a good MC but very neutral. Saludos!
ADC 26 BEST PRITCHARD CARTRIDGE EVER? or BEST CARTRIDGE EVER?
Dear friends: I always said that each day is a learning day and if like me that from several years now think always " out of the box " many of you will find out great rewards that audio always has for us as an unexpected gifts.
Obviously that’s not easy to think " out of the box " because to do that we have to have a different kind of self attitude where between other things we must to forget for ever at least the 50% of all the information we learned through our audio life in the AHEE. With out that " forget " we just can’t do it.
This review is more than an usual audio item review for many reasons I will try to explain over the thread.
First I want to leave very clear my room/audio system main target: STAY TRUER TO THE RECORDING.
To achieve that we have to think that usually the recording microphones are positioned at very near field of the MUSIC sources even like in the 3 Blind Mice recordings: inside the instruments. Recording microphones are not " seated " at 20m-35m. from the source as usually we listen when attend to a live acoustical music event. So we have to have self experiences of live MUSIC seated at near field. If some of us do not have that kind experiences then is very dificult to understand what I’m talking about here and elsewhere.
OK, the ADC 26 cartridge is a vintage Induced Magnet invented motor design by Peter Pritchard ( that pass away. ), it’s not a MM or MI or MC kind of cartridge design. Here you can read about and on his patent and a little of his audio life history:
https://www.stereophile.com/content/peter-pritchard
The cartridge under review is this:
http://i41.tinypic.com/2ihw6yo.jpg
that is part of the ADC 25, 26 and 27 cartridge family.
This is the ADC 25:
https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/download/file.php?id=31979
and this the ADC 27:
https://adelcom.net/ADC-adc%2027.JPG
and here the ADC 26 specs ( please take note those 15° stylus tip mounted angle. ):
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/adc/26.shtml
As you can see and read all seems very old and rudimentary with really humble cartridge specs ( nothing spectacular down there. ) where the elliptical stylus is: 0.03 x 0.07.
The ADC 25 red dot stylus ( exist the red blue 0.03 x 0.09 and the white dot. ) is similar to the 26 and the ADC 27 change is that is the same 26 stylus type but nude. I own all those models that comes with the same cartridge body but different color and where the cartridge motor in the 26 and 27 is similar and the cartridge differs only in the stylus and that the compliance instead 50 cu as in the 25 and 26 is " only " 40cu.
All these cartridges are my oldest ones ( comes from the 60’s. ) that I bougth years ago when started the very long MM Agon thread and I remember that I mentioned there the 25 and 26 but almost no one took cares about not even me because I really never gave it the enougth listening time to those cartridges and was only like a month ago that I really discovery this fenomenal, outstanding, astonishing and " perfect " performer.
When you listen it you are not listen as if was alike MM/MI/electrect cartridges but more as a live event/truer to the recording with some characteristics only shared for the best of the best LOMC cartridges.
I made my self developed evaluation proccess where I’m deep trained and is almost " bullet proof ".
The best MM/MI cartridge is with out doubt the AKG P100LE followed by Astatic MF-2500 and others as the JVC X1MK2 or the Technics EPC 100CMK4 but no one of them can even the quality performance levels of the ADC 26. The ADC is in a different league " the major league ".
I compared the 26/27 against the Colibri, Ortofon A95, Lyra Etna, My Sonic Labs Supereminent ( I think ? ? ) Dynavector XV-1s, Clearaudio Goldfinger and some other vintage top MC designs. No one of them beats overall the ADC 26.
The main 26 characteristics to beat belongs at both frequency extremes where if we want first rate quality performance there first condition is the transient response/attack of the music notes and develops of harmonics along the decay timing that’s where exist clear differences in between MC cartridges and all the other kind of designs. Nothing but the 26/27 compares with a top LOMC cartridges in those regards.
The transient response and fast timing decay in the low of the bass range is second to none and " mimic " what we can listen in a live event at nearfield position. With out this " sole " characteristic MUSIC as MUSIC just can’t exist and is here where belongs the MUSIC foundation.
At the other frequency extreme things are more of the bass range quality performance. In both frequency range it’s not only the rigthness of the transient response but the notes definition its very clear distinction in between and its harmonics. Exist no overhang or bold sound. At the high frequency range ( at the top. ) nothing can beats a Colibri 0.22mv output and the only contender for is precesily these ADC 26/27 ! !
As you can see the 26/27 specs says not very wide frequency range but when listen to it you can sware it goes from 5hz to over 100khz but the more important issue is the clear definition. When the timing in those frequency ranges are spot on then the overall MUSIC rythm is just spectacular and makes and moves all your feelings and body.
We all hear through all our body not only through our ears. We hear through the skin, bones, skind hair and millions of nervous terminations in the body and when you are listening to the ADC 26/27 all those have a true meaning as never before.
What about soundstage, layering, inner detail and the like: just very first rate. Tonal balance is outstanding nothing at the broad wide frequency range tells you " hey: I’m here ", exist a true coherence in between all frequency ranges.
Yes, it’s a UNIQUE listen experience a NEW listen experience coming from a very older cartridge and YES is the best Pritchard design and if you think that you already own the best cartridge ever you need to experience the ADC 26/27. I compared against the best out there in the same system with the same tonearms and same everything.
Was not only me but some other audiophiles friends where at least one of them is a music player. This one is a drummer/batery player and when he was at my place I run ( between other LPs. ) the Sheffield D2D with Ron Tutt and Jim Keltner great drummers with out telling him which cartridge was playing and my friend that’s a true expert with those instruments and golden ear by nature was " jaws dropping " and it’s because is incredible the TRUE of that kind of sound coming from the ADC’s
. This recording specially is something to listen through the 26/27 at 95db SPL with peaks in the 100db neigborhood, you can touch the sound and cut it with a sizzers ! ! !. It’s amazing.
The ADC never lost its aplomb no matters at what SPL you are listening from 70db to over 95dbs .
Every single good recording " sings " as never before of all what I experienced in my system and several other top audio systems.
One of the best MUSIC LP for testing any audio item is the Telarc 1812 and not because the cannon shots but overall frequency ranges that’s always a challenge for any cartridge andd for any audio system in other frequency ranges than the bass range.
No one of the other top LOMC cartridges can even overall the ADC 26/27 quality performance levels in this LP recording in all the frequency range other than the very low bass where the ADC beats to all of them.
I running the ADC 26 at 1.1grs and due ot its very high compliance ( 50cu. ) and cartridge body design is a very low rider when the 27 is only a low rider.
As with other top LOMC cartridges the alignment set up is critical but with the ADC 26 we have to do it with the best accuracy we can and with the VTA/SRA tiny/sligthly up at the tonearm bearing. This VTA/SRA is critical and as always not only depends of the accuracy overall set up but room system dependent.
That explosiveness, power, dynamics, transient response, thightness, flow, true tonal balance agresiveness, natural brigthness, rythm that usually exist only in a live MUSIC event with the ADC 26/27 you can feel that never was in your home audio system as nearer as with these ADC cartridges.
Those audiophiles terms as: lush, organic, color, smothness, bold, and the like does not exist through these " truer to the recording " performers. Those audiophiles terms/characteristics of sound just does not exist in the nearfield MUSIC live events are only characteristics " invented by the AHEE and very far away from reality.
The ADC 26/27 as the very top LOMC cartridges are made it for true music lovers more than for " audiophiles ".
I think that in the 60’s the ADC 26/27 you can get fro no more than 80.00 and today can compete against 15K+ LOMC cartridges.
This all new experience through the ADC 26/27 bcartridges came in the best moment when I 'm more mature in all subjects with MUSIC and audio and when my room audio system is at its best with all the up-dates and up-grades I can afford bor the better.
As always your contributions in the thread all are welcomed and appreciated.
Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
Obviously that’s not easy to think " out of the box " because to do that we have to have a different kind of self attitude where between other things we must to forget for ever at least the 50% of all the information we learned through our audio life in the AHEE. With out that " forget " we just can’t do it.
This review is more than an usual audio item review for many reasons I will try to explain over the thread.
First I want to leave very clear my room/audio system main target: STAY TRUER TO THE RECORDING.
To achieve that we have to think that usually the recording microphones are positioned at very near field of the MUSIC sources even like in the 3 Blind Mice recordings: inside the instruments. Recording microphones are not " seated " at 20m-35m. from the source as usually we listen when attend to a live acoustical music event. So we have to have self experiences of live MUSIC seated at near field. If some of us do not have that kind experiences then is very dificult to understand what I’m talking about here and elsewhere.
OK, the ADC 26 cartridge is a vintage Induced Magnet invented motor design by Peter Pritchard ( that pass away. ), it’s not a MM or MI or MC kind of cartridge design. Here you can read about and on his patent and a little of his audio life history:
https://www.stereophile.com/content/peter-pritchard
The cartridge under review is this:
http://i41.tinypic.com/2ihw6yo.jpg
that is part of the ADC 25, 26 and 27 cartridge family.
This is the ADC 25:
https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/download/file.php?id=31979
and this the ADC 27:
https://adelcom.net/ADC-adc%2027.JPG
and here the ADC 26 specs ( please take note those 15° stylus tip mounted angle. ):
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/adc/26.shtml
As you can see and read all seems very old and rudimentary with really humble cartridge specs ( nothing spectacular down there. ) where the elliptical stylus is: 0.03 x 0.07.
The ADC 25 red dot stylus ( exist the red blue 0.03 x 0.09 and the white dot. ) is similar to the 26 and the ADC 27 change is that is the same 26 stylus type but nude. I own all those models that comes with the same cartridge body but different color and where the cartridge motor in the 26 and 27 is similar and the cartridge differs only in the stylus and that the compliance instead 50 cu as in the 25 and 26 is " only " 40cu.
All these cartridges are my oldest ones ( comes from the 60’s. ) that I bougth years ago when started the very long MM Agon thread and I remember that I mentioned there the 25 and 26 but almost no one took cares about not even me because I really never gave it the enougth listening time to those cartridges and was only like a month ago that I really discovery this fenomenal, outstanding, astonishing and " perfect " performer.
When you listen it you are not listen as if was alike MM/MI/electrect cartridges but more as a live event/truer to the recording with some characteristics only shared for the best of the best LOMC cartridges.
I made my self developed evaluation proccess where I’m deep trained and is almost " bullet proof ".
The best MM/MI cartridge is with out doubt the AKG P100LE followed by Astatic MF-2500 and others as the JVC X1MK2 or the Technics EPC 100CMK4 but no one of them can even the quality performance levels of the ADC 26. The ADC is in a different league " the major league ".
I compared the 26/27 against the Colibri, Ortofon A95, Lyra Etna, My Sonic Labs Supereminent ( I think ? ? ) Dynavector XV-1s, Clearaudio Goldfinger and some other vintage top MC designs. No one of them beats overall the ADC 26.
The main 26 characteristics to beat belongs at both frequency extremes where if we want first rate quality performance there first condition is the transient response/attack of the music notes and develops of harmonics along the decay timing that’s where exist clear differences in between MC cartridges and all the other kind of designs. Nothing but the 26/27 compares with a top LOMC cartridges in those regards.
The transient response and fast timing decay in the low of the bass range is second to none and " mimic " what we can listen in a live event at nearfield position. With out this " sole " characteristic MUSIC as MUSIC just can’t exist and is here where belongs the MUSIC foundation.
At the other frequency extreme things are more of the bass range quality performance. In both frequency range it’s not only the rigthness of the transient response but the notes definition its very clear distinction in between and its harmonics. Exist no overhang or bold sound. At the high frequency range ( at the top. ) nothing can beats a Colibri 0.22mv output and the only contender for is precesily these ADC 26/27 ! !
As you can see the 26/27 specs says not very wide frequency range but when listen to it you can sware it goes from 5hz to over 100khz but the more important issue is the clear definition. When the timing in those frequency ranges are spot on then the overall MUSIC rythm is just spectacular and makes and moves all your feelings and body.
We all hear through all our body not only through our ears. We hear through the skin, bones, skind hair and millions of nervous terminations in the body and when you are listening to the ADC 26/27 all those have a true meaning as never before.
What about soundstage, layering, inner detail and the like: just very first rate. Tonal balance is outstanding nothing at the broad wide frequency range tells you " hey: I’m here ", exist a true coherence in between all frequency ranges.
Yes, it’s a UNIQUE listen experience a NEW listen experience coming from a very older cartridge and YES is the best Pritchard design and if you think that you already own the best cartridge ever you need to experience the ADC 26/27. I compared against the best out there in the same system with the same tonearms and same everything.
Was not only me but some other audiophiles friends where at least one of them is a music player. This one is a drummer/batery player and when he was at my place I run ( between other LPs. ) the Sheffield D2D with Ron Tutt and Jim Keltner great drummers with out telling him which cartridge was playing and my friend that’s a true expert with those instruments and golden ear by nature was " jaws dropping " and it’s because is incredible the TRUE of that kind of sound coming from the ADC’s
. This recording specially is something to listen through the 26/27 at 95db SPL with peaks in the 100db neigborhood, you can touch the sound and cut it with a sizzers ! ! !. It’s amazing.
The ADC never lost its aplomb no matters at what SPL you are listening from 70db to over 95dbs .
Every single good recording " sings " as never before of all what I experienced in my system and several other top audio systems.
One of the best MUSIC LP for testing any audio item is the Telarc 1812 and not because the cannon shots but overall frequency ranges that’s always a challenge for any cartridge andd for any audio system in other frequency ranges than the bass range.
No one of the other top LOMC cartridges can even overall the ADC 26/27 quality performance levels in this LP recording in all the frequency range other than the very low bass where the ADC beats to all of them.
I running the ADC 26 at 1.1grs and due ot its very high compliance ( 50cu. ) and cartridge body design is a very low rider when the 27 is only a low rider.
As with other top LOMC cartridges the alignment set up is critical but with the ADC 26 we have to do it with the best accuracy we can and with the VTA/SRA tiny/sligthly up at the tonearm bearing. This VTA/SRA is critical and as always not only depends of the accuracy overall set up but room system dependent.
That explosiveness, power, dynamics, transient response, thightness, flow, true tonal balance agresiveness, natural brigthness, rythm that usually exist only in a live MUSIC event with the ADC 26/27 you can feel that never was in your home audio system as nearer as with these ADC cartridges.
Those audiophiles terms as: lush, organic, color, smothness, bold, and the like does not exist through these " truer to the recording " performers. Those audiophiles terms/characteristics of sound just does not exist in the nearfield MUSIC live events are only characteristics " invented by the AHEE and very far away from reality.
The ADC 26/27 as the very top LOMC cartridges are made it for true music lovers more than for " audiophiles ".
I think that in the 60’s the ADC 26/27 you can get fro no more than 80.00 and today can compete against 15K+ LOMC cartridges.
This all new experience through the ADC 26/27 bcartridges came in the best moment when I 'm more mature in all subjects with MUSIC and audio and when my room audio system is at its best with all the up-dates and up-grades I can afford bor the better.
As always your contributions in the thread all are welcomed and appreciated.
Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
177 responses Add your response
@nandric ,Yes keeping the aluminum cantilever and just putting a modern stylus profile could be an option, i have no prejudice against aluminum. But ultimately have the retipper give me different options once its on his table. Also because of its age most likely a suspension rebuild will be necessary. in the meanwhile i,m using it as it is and have not heard any signs of wear or malfunction. Sending it to a retipper will be long term project. Regards, |
@nandric Well that option that you mention or just changing the stylus for a micro ridge or line contact and keeping the old aluminum cantilever which from what I heard is harder and more costly to do. Well by suspension I mean change the rubber or tune it up or whatever is called in a moving iron or induced magnet. Anyhow, I will take it easy since right now I,m just enjoying it, If i send it out it would be a long way from now since i I have other cartridges to rotate. Kind regards, |
cardani, If I remember well there was distrust in our forum against ''Bluz Broz'' styli provider. But I found on their site ADC 26 for $123 and 27 for $126. Difficult for me in Holland and you in Mexico to judge but our ''American friends'' can provide the needed info. I hope that import duty in Mexico is lower then in Holland (33%). The problem of ''stylus only'' retip by ADC is that those styli are ''pressure fitted'', No idea how those can be removed . All other are glued in te cantilever so those can be removed with solvent like old cantilevers from the ''joint pipe''. One can see by all retipped MC carts that new cntilever is glued in the ''aluminum tube'' (aka ''joint pipe'') behind the new cantilever. Those can't be glued in if the old can't be removed. |
An possible important discovery. I inspected my both 26 styli with my (hand) microscope.. To my big surprise I have seen similar ''construction'' like by MC's. The aluminum cantilever with the stylus is installed in the ''pipe'' behind which may be the iron part of the construction. It is like ''joint pipe'' by MC kinds. If the cantilever can be removed from the ''pipe'' behind than, like by MC carts, an new cantilever /stylus combo can be glued (?) back in the pipe behind. So even an boron rode can be installed this way. The parts involved are very small so only an good retiper can answer the question if this ''surgery'' is possible. |
Boron cantilever+ micro ridge stylus for the ADC 26? @nandric Let me illustrate what you’re talking about, later ADC TRX cantilever construction is the same: aluminum collar and sapphire cantilever ... click HERE for high resolution close up image of my trx II. ...and low quality image from the manual here |
Dear chakster, your pictures are much better than my description. I also own two sample of TRX II one with Berillium the other with saphire cantilever. Both are in excellent condition so no reason for me to inspect their construction. But the old ADC's have such small cantilevers that one can't see or assume ''double'' tubes. There are btw no theory free assumption nor experiments. Because I assumed one piece cantilever I needed ''place'' for iron part of the construction. As in some other samples piece of iron is put in the back side of the cantilever . That is why I though to make you happy with hollow boron cantilevers . Where else could be this IRON ''ingredient '' be put? Anyway your beloved TRX can also be retipped with boron+ micro ridge stylus. What more do you want ? |
¨If I remember well there was distrust in our forum against ''Bluz Broz'' styli provider. But I found on their site ADC 26 for $123 and 27 for $126. Difficult for me in Holland and you in Mexico to judge but our ''American friends'' can provide the needed info. I hope that import duty in Mexico is lower then in Holland (33%). The problem of ''stylus only'' retip by ADC is that those styli are ''pressure fitted'' @nandric Thanks a lot for the tip of Bluz Broz, crossing fingers it could be ADC original replacements. Yes Import duty in Mexico is 16% on any package between 50 to 1000 dlls., but the regular mail service here is incredibly slow, packages can delay up to 4 months, |
Dear cardani, we are moving very fast with our discoveries. I just discovered that ADC 26/27 can be retipped but ,if possible, for about $500 . Then I discovered original (?) styli for much less. I already asked my (forum) brother Don to check and buy for me the 27 stylus if available. I see that you are even faster. As far as I know nobody is faster than speedy Gonzales (grin). Not to stay behind Mexico's import duty I arranged with my brother Don that he should pay Bluz Broz for me and post the stylus as present to his brother. No import duty at all. |
Anyway your beloved TRX can also be retipped with boron+ @nandric Me? I never retip cartridges. The ADC sapphire cantilever and its special Vital III diamond is very nice, my sample is for sale (NOS), i need cash to survive in covid-19 world. Dear chakster, your pictures are much better than my description. I use macro lens this is why we can see something on my images. If someone would like to pay $500 to refurbish MM/MI cartridge i have to say this is equal or very close to the price of a brand new better cartridge (NOS) with advanced cantilever and stylus, but original. In my opinion not worth it. |
@nandric Yes i,m nowhere as fast as Speedy Gonzalez, actually a little bit more to the side of Lento Rodriguez (speedy,s best friend). However I just assured a R27 replacement for myself which is going to be shipped to my friend in NY. I asume Alan at Bluz Broz has still several samples because the price is quite fair for a replacement of this pedigree and he assured me that they are genuine ADC. I,ve seen people asking up to 500 dlls for replacements for the empire edr9, which is way too much. Thanks again for the advice, Cheers |
I,ve seen people asking up to 500 dlls for replacements for the empire edr9, which is way too much. Any stylus replacement with aluminum cantilever at that price is a rip-off! You can buy a whole new cartridge at this price. 500 is a price tag for some very rare replacement styli for MM cartridges with exotic cantilevers like beryllium, titanium, boron ... and advanced profiles. |
Dear chakster, also ''exotic'' MM's are MM's. I am sure that you will have no problem if, say, AT 170-180 styli will cost even more than$500 (grin). Our Mexican friend (the fast one) mentioned ''edr 9''. I never succeed to get one when this one was ''cart of the month''. This means an ''rare animal''. Those are never cheap. BTW this ''speedy Gonzales'' was faster than I while it was I who discovered the source for 26/27 styli. He is obviously more modest than his other compatriot (grin). |
I paid over $800 for my ATN180 stylus (sealed), just for the stylus, for AT-ML180 cartridge, but this is one of the best MM ever and the cantilever is "special", two versions made: hollow pipe beryllium and hollow pipe boron. Both gold-plated, both with MicroLine stylus. Extremely low moving mass! EDR9 is popular here, not expensive, it’s $300 cartridge |
I read through this thread with some interest, and a lot of experience with ADC cartridges. while I no longer have the ADC 1 (MM),I have ADC carts representing every generation until the demise of ADC/BSR in 1985. I have the 1963 ADC Point 4 with original NOS nude 0.4 mil conical, and the 1964 elliptical stylus, 1963 660/770, 1966 10E MKII, 1968 25/26/27, 1969 10E MKIV, 1970 220XE, 1972 Q36 and K7E, 1971 XLM, 1980 QLM 36/34/32/30 MKIII, 1980 Integra XLM III and Integra ST XLM III, VLM, ZLM MKIII, 1981 Astrion, 1983 TRX-2, PSX 30 and 40. What’s missing in this thread is that there is a better ADC cartridge than the 25/26/27. While I agree with what was said about the ADC 26/27 in this thread, there is one better. It’s overlooked. It’s overshadowed by the XLM that debuted only 1.5 years later. So imagine if you will all the things stated about the ADC 26, only better! Peter Pritchard developed a major improvement to the damping of the armature, and improved the poles of the ADC cartridges in 1969. He was looking for a better way to control the cantilever and armature of his cartridges besides just the suspension block. Other cartridge designers/manufacturers used a tie wire to assist the suspension in controlling the cantilever; think Empire, Shure, Pickering and Stanton. The tie wire acted as a spring for quick return of the cantilever to neutral position, which gives you your fast/deep bass. The suspension block damps resonance and keeps the cantilever properly positioned. But the ADC cantilevers used only the butyl rubber suspension block for both spring return AND damping. Peter Pritchard wanted better damping, without a tie wire, and he was getting everything he could from the existing suspension; but tests showed he needed just a little more damping; yet, he wanted to keep the high compliance he had achieved. The high compliance suspension and better damping were at odds with each other. Pritchard then designed “electro-mechanical damping”. He designed a metal “yoke” that surrounds the 4 pole tabs, in a diamond pattern, with a hole between them. This allows eddy currents between the poles to act on the round/hollow armature, applying a magnetic damping force on the cantilever to add control that the suspension can’t do by itself. The first appearance of this is in the 1969 10E MKIV. Only a year after the 25/26/27 cartridges. The electro-mechanical damper was used on ALL subsequent cartridges with the 10E-4 (MKIV), 550X, and XLM all the way through the Astrion. The 10E-4 came with a bonded elliptical stylus, so as not to compete directly with the nude ellipticals of the 25/26/27. Despite the heavier tip, the 10E-4 has a sound rivaling the previous nudes, owing to the added damping of the cantilever. But I did say “rival,” not best. The styli of the 25/26/27 and 10E-IV are identical in every way, including the suspension, excepting the bonded R-15E stylus of the 10E-4. Colors of the grips are different: Black for R-25(1) and 10E-4; white and gold for R-26, beige for R-27. Cantilevers are identical, as are the armature barrels and suspensions. Where the 10E-4 BESTS the others is when you replace its bonded R-15E stylus with the nude 25/26/27 stylus!! You’ll get a truly AMAZING stylus+cartridge combination!! Comparing the ADC-25 or 26 to the 10E-4, it’s like a new level of clarity, focus, and texture is achieved. The others are “veiled” in comparison to the 10E-4. Cymbals sound metallic and shimmer without blurring. A certain amount of distortion is present in the 25/26/27; gone in the 10E-4. Very wide, deep imaging. Fast, explosive bass and transients. I also prefer the 10E-4 (with nude elliptical styli) over the XLM, ZLM. It has a certain texture and liveliness they can’t quite match. The cantilevers are extremely short, light but stiff; I have yet to hear an MC cart that can best the 10E-4. |
Very curious! I listed one of my ADC 26 with brand new stylus on A'gon for longer than one year but got no offer whatever. I mean ''curious for the best cart ever''. The added problem is to find ADC 10E- 4. which is even better. Not to make logical error ( Peter is the longest guy in the class but Chakster is even longer) I mean ''according to wolfie '' and not according to Raul (grin). |
I wonder if the chakster who appears in this thread is the same chakster that appears in AudioKarma? Selling your ADC 26 in here was your mistake. You need a bigger audience, more exposure. You’d sell it quickly on eBay, with a reserve price. Folks from Vinyl Engine, AudioKarma, Steve Hoffman, Lenco Heaven, etc., who know great vintage cartridges, monitor eBay items and pass on the listing to others who are looking for one. |
Dear @secretguy : I own the Dimensiopn 5 as other Pritchard designs including the ZLM/Astrion and the like. By the time I posted this thread I had first hand experiences with " thousands " of vintage MM/MI cartridges and several LOMC cartridges and those first hand experiences were through my self bullet proof whole evaluation proccess in a high resolution room/system. My main target is to be nearer to the recording as I can and in that scenario the 26/27 puts me nearer than any of the Sonus and other cartridges out there and I don't know if he 10EMK4 can do it or not because I don't own it and I'm not willing to start the " hunt " for it. In any audio item evaluation we have to remember that the results has a direct an intrisecal relationship with the person that did or do the audio item evaluation tests. Different persons can have different targets and preferences. Btw, thank's @wolfie62 for your post around the 10E, really interesting . Even that I don't have in mind to chase it if in the future I find out then will be welcomed.
R. |