ADC XLM MKII improved for Pioneer PL-L1000

gary7

gary7

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Local thrift has a Dual 504 TT with an ADC XLM improved MK II cart on it. Asking less than a Franklin. Not so much interested in the table as the the ADC cart, looks to be in good condition. Would it do good on my PL-L1000 table. Currently running an Empire 2000Z with NOS stylus.
 
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You might check on ebay. Sometimes you can find an XLM MKII at a reasonable price. You will need to change the stylus. I use an LP Gear Vivid Line stylus in mine and it's great.
 
I ran an ADC QLM 36 mk III that I snagged off an $8 Garrard SL65B for a while on my PL-L1000. Tracked really nicely at 2g or so, and had a nice polite sound to it. Leagues better than the AT95E it replaced, especially on the inner grooves. Was kinda bummed when it bit the dust! But for a Franklin, I'd be eyeballing an Ortofon 2M Red, Nagoaka MP110, Grado Green, or an AT-VM95EN.
 
I went ahead and bought it. Cleaned the tip & set it up. Looked good under my scope. Suspension seems good. Sounds good, too.

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Also picked up a Dual 604 today from local RS. Missing the sled & cart, though.
 
The XLM MKII Improved uses the exact same body as the ZLM, XLM MKIII, VLM, and Astrion. The XLM MKII Improved is actually the bottom of the rung styli of the XLM/ZLM. It’s a 3x7 bonded elliptical. Diasa, but bonded. It’s the exact same stylus as the Integra XLM II. Just a different decal.
 
Wolfie62 said:
The XLM MKII Improved uses the exact same body as the ZLM, XLM MKIII, VLM, and Astrion. The XLM MKII Improved is actually the bottom of the rung styli of the XLM/ZLM. It’s a 3x7 bonded elliptical. Diasa, but bonded. It’s the exact same stylus as the Integra XLM II. Just a different decal.
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No where but up.:)
 
Buyer beware!

So many get confused by this stylus. Just today, an eBay seller wanted $170 for a NOS XLM MKII Improved stylus, “nude elliptical, the best of the XLMs” and “the stylus everyone’s looking for.”

Nope. It’s the exact same stylus as the middle member of the Integra line, the XLM II. 3x7 Diasa bonded elliptical.

Having said all that, it’s still a very good stylus. Just not a nude, and not TOTL ADC.
 
Are the generator in the ADC XLM:s good enough to sound well with aftermarket stylus like the Swiss nude elliptical?
 
The generators are fine. Very good in fact!

The question is really, “Are the Swiss nudes good enough for the ADC generator?”

IMO, yes and no. The Swiss nudes sound GREAT! Even though it has a magnet in the end of the cantilever, MM instead of MI. It’s not a problem since the ADC has no internal magnet to interfere with it. But on my sample, the suspension gave out after 3 weeks. Cantilever and suspension came out. The suspension shrunk. I don’t know if that’s a systemic problem.
 
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Thanks for input. I got an ADC LMF-1 arm laying around that Im thinking about getting in order and it would be nice to pair with an ADC cartridge. But seems as if good original stylus are hard to find. So if I find one I most certainly will have to go aftermarket needle.
 
I’m a MM/MI cartridge fan. I bounce around with different cartridges a lot. But I always come back home to my ADC cartridges. I really enjoy their sound. They’re just so easy, full, and detailed.

But admittedly, I’m biased. My first TT in 1981 was fitted with an ADC cartridge. I’ve been calling it “home” for 40 years now.

I think you’ll like it on your Z100, with a good stylus. But you may have to pick a less compliant stylus, such as a QLM 34. Your arm works well, though. Worth a try to get a XLM II Stylus.
 
Well got my ADC XLM cartridge tonight and was of course eager to try it out. I know a stock Lenco L75 Tonarm is kind of a blasphemic choice for this cartridge. But I just wanted to know if it worked and can make sound (planning to use it on an ADC LMF-1 arm on next project).
Well, it works and really well. Tracking nicely at 1.1g on a Lenco L75! Who would have thought...

But suspecting it's an aftermarket stylus on it with a bit less compliance has something to do with it :-).

Gonna try to dial it in more thoroughly and also debate with myself if I'm gonna trust this stylus with my nicer records (playing beaters now) or get a new Black Diamond while dreaming of finding a NOS original :-).
The transparency, soundstage detail and warm nice bass I'm hearing already... wow!
IMG_20210208_195428.jpg
 
That’s an original ADC XLM Stylus. Or, the best counterfeit I’ve seen yet!

That embossed nameplate is unique the ADC original styli.
 
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Wolfie62 said:
That’s an original ADC XLM Stylus. Or, the best counterfeit I’ve seen yet!

That embossed nameplate is unique the ADC original styli.
Click to expand...
Thanks for input!
What would be correct vtf for this stylus if it's an original?

Just wish I could tell how much wear and usage it has. Unfortunately I have neither knowledge or microscope to tell.
 
Around 1 gram would be correct.

When you get your ADC arm in operation, it will be a telling test of the cartridge/stylus’ full capabilities.

The Denon Servo arms are also a very good match.
 
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Well I have yet to install it on my L1000 as I temp have it out of rotation. Running a Kenwood KD-500 with Grace 707 arm & Signet TK7E, which sounds delish. Wonder how the XLM would sound on it?
 
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