2. analog
  3. 195419-87151

ADC moving-iron cartridge has "low" output

I have two identical ADC gold-body XLM-III carts from the late 70s. I purch'd them used, as part of two turntables that were each purchased from different parts of the US. Each cart has a different model of stylus (XLM-III and QLN-2) , and styluses can be interchanged. 

The MI series from ADC should output 5.5mV, which I have not measured. However, BOTH these carts are challenged wrt output volume. Not only do I have to crank up the vol. more than 1/3 above other carts, but  the sonics are a bit "small" and not "full bodied". It might be due to weakening permanent magnetism -- these are both getting close to 50 yrs old .

The perm. magnet in ADC moving iron series is mounted in the removable stylus, just above the stylus/cantilever assemble. 

Not sure what else the low volume may be due to??? These are my my only MI carts in my collection. Anyone know more?

hollowman

Showing 3 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,976 posts
 

Yogiboy, what is your source?

LP Gear shows output 5.5mv as OP stated.

https://www.lpgear.com/product/ADCXLMMKIII.html

This from a discussion on Vinyl Engine:

"I have all those ADC carts too, and many more. Not a single one suffers from low output. Unless the stylus is not mounted properly on the cartridge. That covers the Point 4, 10E MKII and IV, XLM MKII, Q36, K6, QLM 30/32/34/36 MKIII and MKII, Integra XLMIII, 220XE, XLM/VLM/ZLM MKIII and Astrion. Something is amiss in your cartridge or system, someplace."

lewm

I think it is fair to assume OP has other cartridges and knows all else in his system is ok, or you could simply ask him if he is sure that is true.

thus, something is wrong with the cartridge output, and only people with experience with ADC cartridges will know that.

 

 

elliottbnewcombjr
5,976 posts
 

bluz bro adc page

https://www.adelcom.net/ADCCart1.html

xlm mkIII specs, they say output 6.05 mv

https://www.adelcom.net/ADC-xlm%20mk3-Page.html

 

this chart, top row: 'sensitivity' 0.9mv is different spec than other rows 'signal strength' 5.5mv may be the source of confusion

 

 

elliottbnewcombjr
5,976 posts
 

lewm,

it's different by a factor of 5, or 3.54, or ....

I don't fully understand the velocity, but I think Yogi's source got the number from the sensitivity spec, not the output spec.

OP's folded model sheet in the box  says 5.5mv output strength

and, that specimen's specific calibrated data says sensitivity 1.1mv

the ADC chart spec I posted above defines various model's output at velocity 5 cm/sec, so using lewm's method (but using 5 rather than 3.54) if you multiply sensitivity/cm 1.1 x 5 you get 5,5mv output strength at 5cm/sec.

for lewm's comparison, that unit's sensitivity 1.1 x 3.54 = 3.89, 

I just checked, found the Shure V15Vxmr output at 5cm/sec is only 3.0 (I would have thought higher)

and the AT440ml is a high 5.0mv, also at 5cm/sec (I would have thought lower)

the vintage AT160ml's with Beryllium cantilevers I just started using a few months ago are 5.0mv

 

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