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ADC cartridge identification

Yes, this meter works really nice. You get a feeling how important the frequency is in measuring. Thank you so much, i'll try to get the VLM or QLM.

I did some research in the past, these tonearms are classified as midweight. However, the Decca London likes to play with the PUA-114 but dislike the PUA-7.
 
Frequency is important. Most cartridges have their inductances measured at 1kHz. I have found that 100Hz is close enough for this kind of work, but my meter measures, or claims to measure, at 800Hz.

From descriptions online, it would seem the PUA-7 is the lighter of the two. Is that true? ADC styli tend to be happier in damped and/or lightweight arms, so if you have a chance, measure the arm/cartridge/stylus infrasonic resonant frequency with a test record and see if it's around 10Hz. If it's much lower than that, consider a less-compliant stylus. Good luck!
 
I believe the only versions of the Shure Audio Obstacle Course which feature a tonearm resonance test are the Era IV and the V15 Type V. It is a very useful test.

John
 
boreas is correct on both counts. The Type V test record (aka TTR 117) cover is shown above, and here is the "Era IV" (TTR 115) cover:
Shure TTR 115 cover-a-E.jpg

These are the only test records with infrasonic signals that I'm familiar with-- I'm certain there are others.
 
In reviewing the thread, however, I find that the cartridge you have is, electrically at least, an XLM MKII (non-improved) The RXL is for the XLM Improved MKII. Now, it may be that JICO has voiced their RXL replacement in such a way that is serves for both cartridges.

John
 
Yes, seems like JICO handle the replacement as a universal fit. Here ist the text from their XLM replacement:

Cartridge No. : 1000EP, 1000XE, 300LX, 491LM, CFX3, ELM/MK3, HWX3, LM100/3, LM/MK5, MK8, NAD9200, NAD9300, P36, QLM32/2, QLM/MK5, MLN46, QLN/MK6, QLN/MK2, R391LM, RLX3, SLM63SX, SRX2, SSX6, SUPER/XLM2, XLM/MK4, XPH105, XPS105, XSSM2, Y/MK5, Z100E, Z200S, ZL1000, 300EP, 300XE, 391EP, 391LM, QLM36/MK2, QLM36/MK3, STXLM1, STXLM2, STXLM3, XLM2, 200DX, Q603, QLM36 2, QLM36 3, QLM36MK 2, QLM36MK 3, QLX2, QLX3, R125QE, R150QE, STXLM 1, STXLM 2, STXLM 3, VLMMK 2, VLMMK 2 IMPROVED, VLMMK 3 IMPROVE, XMK 3, XL40, XLM 2, XLM 3, XLM 3 PRO, XLM 3 SRX, YMK 3
 
Unfortunately, the "one stylus fits all" attitude among vendors is all too common. Yes, they all fit... mechanically. But no, they don't all deliver a flat response curve in a given body.
 
There's another problem. Vendors have a habit of not differentiating between the RXL stylus (for the XLM Mk II) and the RXL Improved stylus (XLM Mk II Improved). So if you're trying to buy an XLM Mk II stylus online, make sure you're buying something that looks like
ADC RXL replacement stylus (small).jpg
Or
ADC RXL original style, also similar to made-in-Japan style.jpg

Note that the real Mk II stylus grip does not have a flip-down stylus guard and is made from shiny black plastic. The Improved Mk II has the guard and a distinctive dark gray dull finish. The same is true of the VLM Mk II and the VLM Mk III Improved [the latter of which was originally sold only outside the US. Why? Oh, just don't ask.]

With aftermarket/generic styli, you don't really know which stylus you're getting. This is why, if anyone asks for a Mk II XLM, VLM or QLM36 stylus, we recommend either getting a 580mH body, or an Integra integrated cartridge + headshell, or an Integra stylus like the the RXM-II to fit the body they have.
 
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Bikehomero, your problem is solved. As wualta said earlier, a stylus for a VLM MK II (RVL) is your best alternative to the unimproved and mysterious RXL. The VLM is electrically the same as your cartridge (and for all we know, yours may well be a VLM). Like the RXL, it's a 0.3 x 0.7mil elliptical but bonded where the RXL is nude mounted. It's slightly less compliant than the RXL which will be of benefit on your Sony arms.

Best of all, it's available! There are seven for sale here. The seller is reliable and he ships worldwide. Also the price is quite good, So you're all set,

John
 

Attachments

bikehomero said:
I have some doubts the offered RVL is really a genuine ADC part. I've just sent a mail to the vendor to ask about lettering on it.

There is an genuine offer without doubt here as well: https://www.thakker.eu/tonnadeln/ad...ReferrerID=7&gclid=CLHS8JzLwNQCFQfhGwodfuAB9w

They offer rplicas as well at very low pricepoint: https://www.thakker.eu/tonnadeln/r-qlm-36-nadel-fuer-adc-qlm-36-mkii-nachbau/a-6225/
Click to expand...

What has raised your suspicions regarding the RVL in Mississippi?

John
 
I believe it's possible to see a hint of it. The lettering is raised but not colored and, in any case, the maroon Astatic packages were used for repackaged OEM styli. Furthermore, the package is marked " A Genuine Produce Of Audio Dynamics (Corporation), or ACD. It's genuine and it's half the price of the one Thakker is selling.

John

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