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Quick ADC cartridge question.

Artie

Artie

Super Member
I got this ADC cartridge on a flea-market table, minus the stylus. Can anyone identify which ADC it is? More importantly, is this worth messing with? Should I just get a new AT or some such instead?

Its been so long since I've dealt with ADC that I can't even remember if they're decent cartridges or not.
 

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Looks like an XLM series. I have a QLM-34 which is the same body in silver. It sounds very good-yours should be better. The stylus will largely dictate the performance. Well worth buying a stylus IMO.
 
Thanks HTHMAN. NeedleDoctor lists a XLM MK-III stylus for $30. Would this be a decent needle? Its for a Yamaha P-350 table.

When I say "decent", I mean, how would it compare to a Grado Black or AT-95 for example?
 
Nice find and well worth messing with, you've found a true classic! Like HTHMAN said it's likely from the XLM series (maybe a mKII or MkII) and while original ADC stylus are still available at relatively cheap prices that's what I'd recommend. Lot's of good info on these cartridges on the forum and well worth reading.

Dave/ChairSpud
 
Thanks Dave. I'll definitely do a search. Any recommendations on where to get the stylus? Mainly, I just look to NeedleDoctor and LP Gear.
 
Have that cart . . .

I've got three ADC carts. The ADC QLM 32 MK III, which is physically identical but silver in color, an ADC XLM MK II (yours) in gold color and my pride and joy, an ADC TRX-2 Induced Magnet Cartridge. The XLM you have is one of the best sounding carts ever made by ADC, (with the exception of the TRX-2). Just be sure to grab an "XLM" series stylus. It's important to point out that, if on a budget, you can also use the "QLM" series stylus but you won't get the full potential of the cart. Just be sure to stick with an elliptical stylus regardless of the series. In the meantime keep rockin'! :guitar:
 
Artie, two I use myself and often recommend are the 114-DET and 108-DET. Both are MkII stylus, the first having a bit more high end detail and the later a smoother top end with the the sound that made the MkII famous all those years ago. Looks like the only online vendor still stocking both is Turntableneedles.

Dave/ChairSpud
 
If you find nothing else in your price range, these will fit and appears to be genuine ADC styli. The Mk II tracks at 1-2gm and the Mk III at 2-4gm. I can't read if the first one is a II or III but either should sound good on your body. I have used the buyer and he responds quickly to questions. Hard to go wrong for $15 if only as a backup cartridge.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PHONO-NEEDL...928?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a01ca238
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TURNTABLE-S...910?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item518d370bb6

Edit: This should fit and work too
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RECORD-NEED...500?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e62ed6b1c
 
Last edited:
Artie said:
Thanks HTHMAN. NeedleDoctor lists a XLM MK-III stylus for $30. Would this be a decent needle? Its for a Yamaha P-350 table.

When I say "decent", I mean, how would it compare to a Grado Black or AT-95 for example?
Click to expand...

That stylus may fit an XLM.......but it isn't an XLM stylus. Go with a real one the others have pointed out. That one is a dog.
 
I'm going to have to add my own black mark against those $30/$40-ish Integra styli. I tried one a while back. Soundwise it was disappointing. It fit even worse, as I had to run a thin strip of electrical tape around the stylus body at it's back end to keep it from sliding off the cartridge.
 
ec1st said:
I'm going to have to add my own black mark against those $30/$40-ish Integra styli. I tried one a while back. Soundwise it was disappointing. It fit even worse, as I had to run a thin strip of electrical tape around the stylus body at it's back end to keep it from sliding off the cartridge.
Click to expand...

I had an original ADC stylus (used) that did that on any ADC cartridge body. I finally threw it away.
 
marcmorin said:
That stylus may fit an XLM.......but it isn't an XLM stylus. Go with a real one the others have pointed out. That one is a dog.
Click to expand...

Ok, thanks for the heads-up. I'll have to look at all of these closely so I can tell which are fakes or not.
 
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