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
lewm
13,785 posts
 

You have two very old cartridges with unknown provenance. Plus you give no information about your audio system, especially your phono stage.  So there are many possible causes among which it is impossible to distinguish without more data, and even then it may be a crapshoot.

hollowman's avatar
hollowman OP
35 posts
 

You have two very old cartridges with unknown provenance. Plus you give no information about your audio system, especially your phono stage.  So there are many possible causes among which it is impossible to distinguish without more data, and even then it may be a crapshoot.

OVER-information can lead to wild speculation. I gave this forum all that was important. The rest should be assumed as "all else held equal".

Perhaps others have more USEFUL responses.

lewm
13,785 posts
 

No. Insufficient information leads to wild speculation.

What phono stage are you using? What is phono gain? What linestage, amp, speakers? What cartridges are you comparing to the ADCs?

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