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
hollowman's avatar
hollowman OP
41 posts
 

you buy and replace the stylus yourself

lp elliptical for xlm mkiii

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

elliptical for qln-ii

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

 

jico or someone may have a micro linear profile that fits the adc bo

Thanks! Those are very low $$ for supposedly Made-in-Japan products. I assume other here on Audiogon have dealt with LPgear here (???)  so no issues with fakes or new-old-stock (suspensions do rot with age).

 

The other resource,  like https://www.adelcom.net/ADCCart1.html , are significantly pricier. Not sure about that site!

lewm
13,825 posts
 

I would not say “fake” but once or twice they’ve sold styli they described as “original” which implied OEM, when in fact what they were selling was a reproduction of OEM. No problem with functionality however.

hollowman's avatar
hollowman OP
41 posts
 

The ADC armature (see fig.) is "special" . I assume they overproduced these decades ago (along with mounted stylus) . So maybe that's what the LPgear has stocked. 

About suspension -- esp. after decades of aging -- I think it is NON-use that causes them to stiffen (at least in my experience). 

About high $$ replacements ... check out the this page ... 

https://www.adelcom.net/ADC%20Stylus.html

I have no idea how re-manufs handle the SUSPENSION BLOCK issue!! 

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