2. analog
  3. 160072-63554

Bent Slightly Out of Shape

I scored an almost-mint Thorens TD-160 turntable last week and remembering back to the one I owned in the mid-70s, an ADC cartridge sounded very good on it. I found an ADC XLM Mk II for a reasonable price on Audio Asylum Trader and picked it up. The cartridge looks to be in good shape, other than the cantilever/stylus assembly is slightly skewed, not dead-ahead straight. My thinking is that when playing records, it will be pulled back to the correct angle by the groove-walls. Does that make sense or is it just wishful thinking? I went ahead and bought a brand-new Grado Blue also just as insurance, but I really want to install the ADC.
discnik
11 responses Add your response
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,860 posts
 
@audio2design We'd a 160 with a Grace arm and AT95 cartridge and it was great. Bright and clear and musical. For $275, and clean, it's worth it.
discnik OP
161 posts
 
It took a month to get the cartridge installed in the headshell by a local tech known as Turtleman (not counting the 2-3 weeks it took me to decide to do it myself or farm that task out). I haven't even installed it yet because I'm already running a TD-145, a TD-320, and a TD-160 Super and one of the first two will probably have to be idled to use the 160. That project is on my to-do list over the next week or so. IMO, you can't go wrong with a Thorens.
audio2design
1,351 posts
 
@discnik ,

How are you liking the TD-160?  Friend asked me to put together a system for her son for christmas and I have an opportunity for a TD-160 MKii at what I thought was a really low price ($275) and appears to be in good shape. Her son likes retro, so she want to get something classic, as he will research everything.
andysf's avatar
andysf
269 posts
 
KABUSA has ADC XLM MK II Improved NOS for $79.00 so not a big deal to replace it, in any case.  It is in the Specials section of his website.
discnik OP
161 posts
 
Not really, and some people might not notice, and as another member suggested, it may have come from the factory that way. I am going to install the Grado and have the ADC evaluated by my tech. At worst, I'll have it to use as a back-up, assuming it won't damage my vinyl.
elliottbnewcombjr
5,529 posts
 
just curious,

did seller tell you it was skewed? 
discnik OP
161 posts
 
Thanks for the responses....I'll have a tech scope it out and see how that goes. My days of installing cartridges are long-gone, but vinyl is still my first love.
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,774 posts
 
I actually meant zenith. If the entire structure that the cantilever is mounted to is off right to left from a birds eye view, the zenith will need to be adjusted accordingly.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
One MAJOR problem the adc xlm mk2 faced especially now after many years is weak suspension.
Unfortunately they tend to collapse all too often.
Glorious sounding when good though but it might turn into a “ low rider” on you.
I had it happen with two examples.😒😒
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Azimuth slaw. Slaw could be right as long as it is not skewed too far. But, my own inclination would be to install the Grado. 
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,774 posts
 
Could have come that way from the factory? Just align it by the cantilever, not the cartridge body and it should be fine. May have to play with zenith depending upon if the cantilever is slightly twisted from center.
Log in to respond
More to discover
80x80
ZYX Ultimate Exceed Airy
80x80
Infinity Black Widow Tonearm
80x80
SpJ La Luce La Luce