[Derockster]

Hi guys,I've recently acquired a pair of Acoustat 2+2s and a TNT 200 amplifier.I'm using a Technics sp25 turntable with a Sme series 3 tonearm with a Grado Green cartridge,phono stage is a nad pp2 temporarily.I'm eventually going to be using a Naim stageline.I'm looking for a cartridge with a higher output than the Grado Green but,it has got to be a Grado(I happen to love Grado cartridges).this may seem simply to most of you guys but I'm not very technical when it comes to this side of things as I've still got lots to learn on the analog side.Your opinions are greatly appreciated.With warm regards and many thanks from sunny Barbados derockster aa

[TheChairGuy]

Derockster,

I just PM'ed you back with the following...but in case anyone is experiencing the same issue, it's reprinted here:

I think the Green is as high as the voltage goes with Grado's.

The old ADC XLM cartridges, were 5.6mv I think...10-20% higher than Grado's.  They sound positively fantastic, too.

They want a light'ish arm...just like your SME 

I once had a low gain preamp matched with my low gain amps...and it was clear the vinyl stage was anemic even with the Grado (which I think is around 4.5mv).  Put the ADC on and it was clear sailing after that.

They haven't been made for 27 years now....but, they are out there slightly used and even NOS.  I got mine for free with an ebay purchase of a JVC TT (had to buy a replacement stylus for it, tho)

Here's a place that has a supply of them: http://cgi.ebay.com/Original-ADC-XLM-MKIII-Improved-cartridge-NOS_W0QQitemZ150258256487QQihZ005QQcategoryZ64620QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

It's truly an immensely capable cartridge...but, I've never had an arm light enough to probably really do it full justice.  All of the ADC were under 10 grams in weight, so I suspect that the ADC's like lighter arms like your SME 

Regards, John

[Derockster]

Thanks John.Man your kids must love you you've always got the answer .

[TheChairGuy]

Thanks John.Man your kids must love you you've always got the answer .

Are you kidding, my daughter is a (pushier) clone of me in that way...SHE has all the answers 

She loves me because I'm a clown...but she KNOWS she is smarter than me 

btw, try Mike at Sounds Unique (San Jose, CA) first for an ADC XLM Mk. II or III...he had scads of them from 20+ years ago that he's been selling of on ebay for half the price of Mr. Thakker.  Don't know if he still has them, but if he does, he was sellign for 1/2 the price of Thakker a year+ ago when I bought my replacement stylus from him.

http://www.soundsunique.com/

John

[Derockster]

Hey John the problem in regards to output in my system was the Nad phono stage.I removed it today and tried an old homemade preamp I have on hand and the output is now what it should be.The only problem now is I have to get the phono stage in the preamp fixed as only one channel  is working.The Grado is working fine and my Acoustats are singing.I think I'm still going to get an ADC XLM cartridge.Regards Cleaton

[andyr]

With the VPI on the top roost of my Sanus rack, I fired up some newly remastered Depesche Mode (Exciter) and OH MY GOD, does vinyl ever sound good on ESL's. I's wondering how many vinyl heads use these speakers in their systems.

Wayner

And vinyl with my 3-way active Maggies! 

Regards,

Andy

[Derockster]

Hey John I just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you for all your advice.My Acoustats are singing  and all is well in the world.Regards from Barbados derockster

[TheChairGuy]

Hey John I just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you for all your advice.My Acoustats are singing  and all is well in the world.Regards from Barbados derockster

Did you get the ADC...which one did he have in stock still - the ADC XLM II's?

I gotta' visit Sounds Unique one day...he's only an hour south of me.

Mike was charging like $79 or something a year+ ago for them...did he raise his price on them?  For anything near that price, I don't know anything on the market that can compare to them today.

The AT440ML/OCC that I have (now morphed into the AT440MLa and costing from $99 to $129) is good in a lot of respects, but it's tilted to the bright end of the scale (yech).  Someone recently told me to load mine at 33K and it'll change it's demeanor drastically. So, I may give it another go after burying the last time it was squakin' in my ears 

Nonetheless, for $80 or so and no fuss setup at all....the ADC is king at that price point today (Grado's are wonderful creations, but terribly frustrating to get them fully optimized). The extra voltage of the ADC should give your system a bit more oomph, too.

Regards!! John

[Mariusz]

A little of topic but since it is the only electrostatic thread I will give it a shot.
I love my ML Aerius i and can not get myself to sell them....unless the guy deserves them. But that is not what I want to ask. My question is -
have anyone heard full range stats......like Soundlabs for instance??????

Sorry for of topic question....could not resist.

Mariusz

[Derockster]

Hey John,no I haven't gotten the ADC as yet but I am going to get one.The cost is still the same.I have had no problems at all with my Grado Green it works fantastic on my SME arm but you've got me intrigued with the ADC.I mean if the Grado pimp can recommend a cartridge other than the Grado that says a lot about the cart. Will keep you informed as system changes happen.Regards deorckster

[TheChairGuy]

Yeah, I like the ADC's because they are no fuss and sound swell....the most 'linear' sounding cartridge I have ever heard.  I never thought I'd be able to hear a 'linear' (ie, without dips or rises) frequency response in any cartridge...until I met the ADC. It needs a tad of capacitance to dial in just right - about 250 pf at 47K ohms.

Next to the Grado to get the best from it...it's a breeze 

I have the later (last) series they made, too (the TRX series).  Tho mechanically more rigid than the old XLM series....they don't have that rollicking good time ability left in them.

Both are pretty high compliance cartridges and tend to like low mass tonearms(your SME should be a nice match for it)

John