AlleyKat
Super Member
A blast from the past
. I've had an ADC Integra XLM-1 cartridge for about 30 yrs. Although the stylus was worn past the point of use, I had always particularly enjoyed the sound it produced from my Technics SL-1300, even though I had used many "better" cartridges. The Integra was a unique cartridge at the time it was marketed. It is an integrated carbon fiber headshell which minimizes tracking angle and offset angle error through both VTA and overhang adjustment cabability built into the design. I just couldn't part with it and put it away for posterity when ADC ceased existence and styli were no longer available. Then, work pressures and kids led me astray from audio for years.
About three and one-half years ago, I discovered AK and began to restore my gear. I bought a Shure M97 EX and dragged my albums out of storage. I was pleased with the Shure, but always had alignment problems with it and the Technics has no VTA adjustment other than shimming the cart. I've been seeking, off & on a replacement stylus for the ADC for a few years, but have always been afraid of generics. A few months ago, I visited turntableneedles.com and saw that they had original replacement styli available. I debated purchase for a while, but succumbed to the memory of the ADC's performance and decided I had to at least try one out.
As we were in the middle of preparing to move to a new home, I setup the cart to make certain it worked and was happy with the sound immediately and ordered 2 more before the supply ran out. I listened for a few hours and then put it aside as it was time to pack the gear.
Now that we're in the new house, I've had the chance to fine tune the adjustment and let the cartridge burn in. I am simply amazed by the sound quality this ancient cart is capable of producing. It has a much richer, fuller tonal quality than the M97 EX. While the Shure was very flat in frequency response, it always seemed a bit thin, perhaps due to my alignment frustrations.
This afternoon, between bouts of unpacking and putting stuff away, I switched back and forth between the 2 carts on a favorite and familiar LP, Lowell George's masterwork, Thanks, I'll Eat it Here:yes:. It almost seems like a different recording on the 2 carts, the ADC just reaches lower with tight and musical bass and is richer and fuller throughout the midrange and highs.
The ADC just seems to have a synergy with the Technics, it could be that the carbon fiber headshell overcomes some of the resonance of the S-shaped tonearm or the ability to accurately set VTA. I don't really know enough about cartidge specs to interpret whether the difference between the two carts really mean anything. All I do know, is that I'll probably order just one more stylus to be prepared for many years of listening pleasure, while the Shure goes to the closet for back-up duty.
. I've had an ADC Integra XLM-1 cartridge for about 30 yrs. Although the stylus was worn past the point of use, I had always particularly enjoyed the sound it produced from my Technics SL-1300, even though I had used many "better" cartridges. The Integra was a unique cartridge at the time it was marketed. It is an integrated carbon fiber headshell which minimizes tracking angle and offset angle error through both VTA and overhang adjustment cabability built into the design. I just couldn't part with it and put it away for posterity when ADC ceased existence and styli were no longer available. Then, work pressures and kids led me astray from audio for years.About three and one-half years ago, I discovered AK and began to restore my gear. I bought a Shure M97 EX and dragged my albums out of storage. I was pleased with the Shure, but always had alignment problems with it and the Technics has no VTA adjustment other than shimming the cart. I've been seeking, off & on a replacement stylus for the ADC for a few years, but have always been afraid of generics. A few months ago, I visited turntableneedles.com and saw that they had original replacement styli available. I debated purchase for a while, but succumbed to the memory of the ADC's performance and decided I had to at least try one out.
As we were in the middle of preparing to move to a new home, I setup the cart to make certain it worked and was happy with the sound immediately and ordered 2 more before the supply ran out. I listened for a few hours and then put it aside as it was time to pack the gear.
Now that we're in the new house, I've had the chance to fine tune the adjustment and let the cartridge burn in. I am simply amazed by the sound quality this ancient cart is capable of producing. It has a much richer, fuller tonal quality than the M97 EX. While the Shure was very flat in frequency response, it always seemed a bit thin, perhaps due to my alignment frustrations.
This afternoon, between bouts of unpacking and putting stuff away, I switched back and forth between the 2 carts on a favorite and familiar LP, Lowell George's masterwork, Thanks, I'll Eat it Here:yes:. It almost seems like a different recording on the 2 carts, the ADC just reaches lower with tight and musical bass and is richer and fuller throughout the midrange and highs.
The ADC just seems to have a synergy with the Technics, it could be that the carbon fiber headshell overcomes some of the resonance of the S-shaped tonearm or the ability to accurately set VTA. I don't really know enough about cartidge specs to interpret whether the difference between the two carts really mean anything. All I do know, is that I'll probably order just one more stylus to be prepared for many years of listening pleasure, while the Shure goes to the closet for back-up duty.
