ADC ariston cartridge

[RHX68]

Hi, analog buddies,

I get a chance to acquire a ADC ariston cartridge which is in excellent condition, the seller told me this is the best cartridge from ADC since their glory day, I can get lot of info from the web. Can someone enlighten me about the advantage of this cart & how much should it be worth?

Thanks in advance.
Rudy

[Nat]

Ariston is a turntable manufacturer. I don't think ADC ever had a cartridge with a even a similar sounding name. They did make some highly regarded cartridges, but be aware of a couple of things -- all of them were high compliance, and the best were, naturally, very high compliance. So they don't suit massive arms, and more important, regardless of stylus condition (and that's a major issue), the suspension (or damper) which is made of some type of rubber or plastic which can harden or shrink over time. So buying old cartridges is a bit of a crapshoot -- sometimes they are perfect, and other times they are unusable. Depends on the formulation of the material, how it was stored and so on. So don't pay much without hearing it and listening carefully.
The ADCs that are typically thought of as most desireable are the XLM, especially the first version, and perhaps the ZLM, though that's rare. You could get the XLM in an integrated headshell version called the Integra , and in a version with an infrared sensor for the Accutrack turntable (and if the guy misspoke himself, that might be the model). I think the Accutrack version is pretty hard to find, and if you have an Accutrack table, you need it, so it might be valuable. There are other ADCs, and you could find out something about them at the Cartridge Database.

[gkimeng]

Ariston is a turntable manufacturer. I don't think ADC ever had a cartridge with a even a similar sounding name.

He's probably referring to the ADC Astrion, which was ADC's top of the line cartridge from the early 80's, I think the replacement for the ZLM. Very similar specs to the XLM/ZLM family. Not many around and no idea if it will accept the stylus from the XLM/ZLM family (my guess is it will).

[RHX68]

Thks for your comment, Nat and Gkimeng,

Yes, I refer to ADC astrion. Is it the top model from ADC? Any relationship with astrion (UK)? How does it compare with XLM & ZLM?

I'm curious about their patent's technology "Induced magnetic" pick up ? What's the advantage and disadvantage when compare with traditional MM type ?

Besides, is it sonically comparable with the best MM? or even MC cart?

Thanks in advance and any idea is highly welcome and appreciated.

Analog... Always.

[gkimeng]

Yes, I refer to ADC astrion. Is it the top model from ADC? Any relationship with astrion (UK)? How does it compare with XLM & ZLM?


It was during the early 80's. ADC is out of the audio business now and no longer has any "top model" cartridges. The specs are very similar to the XLM and ZLM, but I've never heard one and can't comment on the sound. I've used XLMs almost exclusively on my tables since the 1970's, and they continue to be my cartridge of choice in the MM-type.

[RHX68]

It was during the early 80's. ADC is out of the audio business now and no longer has any "top model" cartridges. The specs are very similar to the XLM and ZLM, but I've never heard one and can't comment on the sound. I've used XLMs almost exclusively on my tables since the 1970's, and they continue to be my cartridge of choice in the MM-type.

Thanks gkimeng,
Does it mean that the XLM remain your best choice for MM cart? Any other MM cart can compare with XLM? What's the different between your XLM and your MC type? All in all, I may buy this ADC astrion to see if this is a high grade MM cart. :scratch2:

Ming.

[gkimeng]

Thanks gkimeng,
Does it mean that the XLM remain your best choice for MM cart? Any other MM cart can compare with XLM? What's the different between your XLM and your MC type? All in all, I may buy this ADC astrion to see if this is a high grade MM cart.

Considering that I've only used one other cartridge in the past 20 years or so, more like it's my only choice. I have no idea what other current cartridges to suggest.

So how much is the Astrion going for, and what's its condition? Unless it's cheap, I wouldn't spend a lot without first researching to see whether replacement stylii are available.

[laatsch55]

I've owned an ADC Astrion Mounted to an Infinity "Black Widow" tonearm on a Denon DP 1500 turntable since 1978.
I've long ago lost the spec's but can attest to it being a very sweet sounding combination. Very subjective, I know, but isn't it all?