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Marantz 6100 with ADC ZLM
- Thread starter MtnAudio
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Balifly
Listening
Competent belt drive turn table that has a cult following for its aesthetic.
The ADC ZLM cartridge was a top performer highly priced for the fine stylus tip - (high compliance
).
malden
Addicted Member
Competent belt drive turn table that has a cult following for its aesthetic.
The ADC ZLM cartridge was a top performer highly priced for the fine stylus tip - (high compliance
Yes, it's a good turntable, slightly less desirable than the direct drive 6300, but I believe it has the same tonearm.
If the ADC is high compliance as @Balifly suggested, then it is not a good match for the Marantz tone-arm unless you swap out the extruded aluminum head-shell for something much lighter.
Both turntable and cartridge are around 40 years old. You may want to get the turntable lubricated. Harden grease will put a strain on the gears and possibly freeze the mechanism. Replacement parts may be difficult to find. The cartridge may have a worn stylus depending on how much use was logged. If the cartridge was left out in the open, the suspension may have hardened. Original stylus for the cartridge are still available but expensive. Generic replacements are easy to find but may not match the performance of the original.
Thanks for all the comments. What I get here is that the ADC ZLM was/is a good cartridge-probably over and above what this table can take advantage of, and may not be a match for the 6100, and/or may be past it's prime age wise. I'll listen to it for any issues that I can determine are compromising. The 6100 is a decent turntable, and likely a match for most of my records/most of which have seen a lot of use, but not up to audiophile status. I plan on a clean and lube, all functions work on a quick test but don't want any strain. Maybe entertain a new cartridge-Needle Doc has suggested a Ortofon 2M Red, but I am not knowledgeable in this area and would welcome suggestions for replacements in or below that price range.
Somehow I have gotten myself into a too many projects situation and am also working on a Pioneer PL 50 to get it back on line. Thinking this is superior to the 6100 and it definitely will need a new cartridge. I'll mine your minds on it soon.
Somehow I have gotten myself into a too many projects situation and am also working on a Pioneer PL 50 to get it back on line. Thinking this is superior to the 6100 and it definitely will need a new cartridge. I'll mine your minds on it soon.
The original specs for the ZLM has a compliance of 30cu. I doubt generic replacement styli will come close to the original compliance. It's difficult to tell since the generics rarely publish technical specifications for their styli. But Jico claims the compliance for their Empire 2000EI replacement is 10cu while the original spec comes in at 30cu.
The original ZLM stylus has the "ADC ZLM" label on the name plate.
The original will have a compliance of 30cu which may not be compatible with some tonearms. If the stylus does not have "ADC" on the name plate, then it's a generic replacement and the compliance will probably be low enough for the majority of arms. An original ZLM stylus in good condition may be fine with your 6100 or PL50. Although 30cu may be high, it may still work with your tonearm. The condition of the stylus is unknown considering the age of the cartridge so if there is distortion when playing records, it could be an incompatibility issue with the tonearm or because the stylus is worn. However, if you have a generic stylus and you hear distortion with the 6100/PL50, it's probably due to a worn stylus rather than a tonearm compatibility problem.
It's as pictured, original stylus. Haven't played it yet but this came from a friend and I know it was stored in a closet for something like 20years or more and not used much before that. I'll work it over to the bench and check it out. Was thinking of moving the cartridge over to the PL50 with the thinking it would be a better match.
I don't know the threshold for a low mass, med mass and high mass tonearm. I've played a ZLM cartridge on a Yamaha turntable and a Dual with excellent results but I don't know the mass of those tonearms and how they compare to the PL50 or 6100. I know a heavy (8 grams or more) ultra high compliance (40 to 50cu) cartridge sounds terrible with my turntables. But the ZLM is fairly light and not as compliant as the 40-50cu so it should work with a wider range of tonearms.
Table performs all functions well despite no service in a very long time,grease is still soft and not hardened. Should I clean an lube anyway or go with it?
The cartridge is set a 1 1/2 grams, plays with no noticeable distortion. Table had a ground hum with the ground wire connected which stopped when I connected it.
But it has a low volume "moan" when the stylus is on the record, it's there all the time but most noticable on blank space. Moan stops when stylus is raised off the record.
Cartridge or table problem?
The cartridge is set a 1 1/2 grams, plays with no noticeable distortion. Table had a ground hum with the ground wire connected which stopped when I connected it.
But it has a low volume "moan" when the stylus is on the record, it's there all the time but most noticable on blank space. Moan stops when stylus is raised off the record.
Cartridge or table problem?
malden
Addicted Member
It could be the platter bearing. If it hasn't been serviced then the bearing lubrication could be dry.
