Jbeats Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Gday all. I have recently purchased an ADC xlm mkii improved to try out on my vintage system. Part of an exploration into the world of analogue sounds that I'm pretty new in and already pretty hooked and having a lot of fun! I don't have a good scope but NOS stylus looks sharp on the kids microscope (!) Initial thoughts are good, but not great. Audio is quite resolved and honest, though very forward in the mids. Tracking at 1.2g. It is just not grabbing me 100% and given what I have read about this cartridge I probably expected more.... I suspect I may be having an issue with compliance on my system given the compliance of the ADC is 30 and I am using a mid-mass Marantz s-arm on my Marantz TT6350. I'd love to hear this cartridge in all its glory but realise this may mean I need to invest in a second TT with lighter arm. I have tried it on a Rega 3 with rb251 arm and had slightly better results but still nothing special compared to my Marantz with Pickering XSP 4004 and Vividline stylus - a very musical combo. Considering getting either this : https://lptunes.com/products/replacement-for-adc-rzl-stylus or https://www.turntableneedles.com/ADC-RSZ-Stylus-for-ADC-ZLM-Cartridge--our-Needle-108-DEQ_p_845.html or http://www.musonic.co.uk/adc-xlm-mkii-improved-original-elliptical-stylus-p-18221.html but, not sure I'm, wasting my time without a lighter arm....I've read great results with an Infinity Black Widow or even a Grace 707 on this cart. Any recommendations?? Thanks. System: TT Marantz 6350; Phono Marantz Integrated amp 1090; Celestion Ditton Studio 66's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevoz Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 (edited) You may have answered your own question.....the XLM II loves super light tonearms like the Black Widow and the G707. My XLM II sounds very bright on my medium mass arm and as such, remains in storage. My take on it is that it is an extremely accurate and detailed cart but from research, it does need to be paired with a low mass arm to shine and from all accounts, it really does shine. Edited September 17, 2017 by stevoz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbeats Posted September 17, 2017 Author Share Posted September 17, 2017 Thanks Steve I figured as much but worth checking from those better informed than myself! I'll have to try and find someone locally with such an arm to trial it, or just head that direction on my second TT and keep her stored until then. I'd love a Linn/grace or Thorens/Grace combo.... Have a Supex 901 Super on the way which should be a better match for my setup and can maybe challenge the Pickering. All good fun! If anyone has an opinion on those ADC replacement stylus mentioned I'd still be keen to hear them in case it's needed? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wen Posted September 28, 2017 Share Posted September 28, 2017 had an ADC xlm on a Linn with a Grace 707, lovely sounding combination 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbeats Posted October 8, 2017 Author Share Posted October 8, 2017 On 28/09/2017 at 9:02 PM, wen said: had an ADC xlm on a Linn with a Grace 707, lovely sounding combination Thanks Wen, was that the original xlm or a variant (mkii, mkii etc)? The original had super high compliance! If only I could find a decent price on a 707....they are pretty popular. No rush, one will come along shortly hopefully already on a well matched TT. I wouldn't mind trying my Grace F8L '10 on a lighter arm too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wen Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 It was an original xlm, replaced it with a sonus blue, another sweet sounding cartridge 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caddisgeek Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 I'm running one on a Grace 707 and it sounds very nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevoz Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 (edited) On 9/17/2017 at 10:35 PM, Jbeats said: Thanks Steve I figured as much but worth checking from those better informed than myself! I'll have to try and find someone locally with such an arm to trial it, or just head that direction on my second TT and keep her stored until then. I'd love a Linn/grace or Thorens/Grace combo.... Have a Supex 901 Super on the way which should be a better match for my setup and can maybe challenge the Pickering. All good fun! If anyone has an opinion on those ADC replacement stylus mentioned I'd still be keen to hear them in case it's needed? Hi @Jbeats ....LPGear have quite a few replacement styli available for this and as the higher spec ZLM styli fit, these two would be way better than most of the cheaper ones going around on ebay and elsewhere: this one , described as 'semi shibata' or 'aliptic'; https://www.lpgear.com/product/ADC211.html ....and this more expensive shibata version: https://www.lpgear.com/product/ADC211SA.html Edited October 9, 2017 by stevoz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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