Best MM?


I want to try a MM with my Herron VTPH-2a. What's the best one? Maestro 2, Zephyr III, AT VM760SLC? Something else?
dhcod
@nandric There is nothing special about those cartridges if you will look at the specs and diamond/cantilever types.


ADC 26 is very cheap cartridge from the 60’s, 25/27 designed before XLM series (which is crap too)

IM type cartridge with the same standard as ADC - 25, equipped with standard elliptical needle only. By adopting a newly developed magnetic circuit, we have acquired broad band reproduction, light needle pressure and racing ability. The ADC - 25, ADC - 26, ADC - 27 and the ADC - X series have stylus compatibility respectively, and it is possible to upgrade by replacing the stylus.

Model IM type cartridge
frequency band 10 Hz to 24 kHz ± 2 dB
output4.5 mV (5.5 cm / sec)
Separation30 dB (50 Hz to 15 kHz)
compliance50 × 10 -6 cm / dyne
Tracking angle15 °
Impedance47 kΩ
Tip0.3 x 0.7 mil (R-26)
Stylus pressure0.5 g to 1.25 g
Own weight 9 g

ADC 27 is next model from the 60s/70s:
IM type cartridge which aimed at cost reduction based on ADC - 25, 26.

The magnet that was attached to the conventional stylus assembly is embedded in the body at the bottom of the assembly. In addition, a magnet yoke is installed in the assembly and it is made to be magnetized when it is set. As a result, the assembly can be easily inserted and removed, there is no excess or deficiency of insertion, and the magnetic force always holds the cantilever in the center.

Because the main body of ADC - 27 is common design with ADC - 25, it is possible to use it the same way as ADC - 25 by adding stylus of R - 252 or R - 253.

Model IM type cartridge
frequency band 10 Hz to 22 kHz ± 2 dB
output 4.5 mV (5.5 cm / sec)
Separation 30 dB (50 Hz to 15 kHz)
compliance 40 × 10 -6 cm / dyne
Tracking angle15 °
Impedance 47 kΩ
Tip 0.3 x 0.7 mil (R-27)
Stylus pressure 0.5 g to 1.5 g
Own weight 9 g




@chakster , Thanks ! As I stated before you ar the fastest

learning member of our forum. ''Our encyclopedia'' so  to speak.

No need to search on Google (grin). Curious how our brain

works. Anyway my. I have no idea how my ADC 25 sounded

but well its price back then. It was my own present to myself

for my Law degree. The price was ''astronomic''  for a student:

250 Dutch Gulden (= German mark). My scholarship was 200.

 With the usual inflation the present price should be above 1000

euro. I am not aware that you belong to the new Russian rich and

don't understand why you call those ADC' s ''cheap''.

I intend to try my ADC 26 today.


@nandric the price for any ADC would never be higher than $200 today, there are plenty of them available everyday. The exception is for rare Astrion MM with Sapphire cantilever (but an average sound) and the latest TRX IM 1,2,3 series designed for them by Nakatsuka-San (now Zyx) with Titanium, Beryllium or Sapphire cantilevers (i know you got some of them). 

Sorry chakster, One should not trust anyone. I like you very

much but according to Raul I own the ''best ever'' ADC 26

which is according to you not only ''cheap'' but also mediocre.

It is , obviously, in my own interest to believe Raul more than

you. Besides I own about 40 MM carts thanks Raul's carts

of the week , the months and now of all years.

Dear chakster, I don't believe that you ever owned one of

those ADC 25/26and 27. I just listened to my ADC 26 and

am very much impressed. Never heard Portuguese guitar

more natural sounding before.  Speaking in your terms

never seen such low mass cantilever/stylus combo. My

only problem is light hum which I only get with MM carts and

never with my MC carts. I deed try everything but alas.

My only new idea is to connect ground of both cart connectors

together. Ground is an real enigma but looks very simple

because everything is connected with ''the same'' ground.

But before trying I hope to hear from my comembers if

anybody has try this ''solution''.