ADC Integra XLM II (1981–1984)

Name: ADC Integra
Brand: ADC

One flick of the needle and the record opens up, with every microdetail in the groove still there.

Overview

The ADC Integra XLM II is a cartridge and headshell built as one piece. It came out in the early '80s and combines the ADC XLM II phono cartridge with a half-inch mount carbon fiber headshell. There is no separate mounting, no mismatched masses and no resonance traps between the two. It isn't flashy. It's meant to stay out of the signal path, and by all accounts it does.

ADC asked why the cartridge and headshell were ever two separate parts. The answer was tradition, and tradition was holding things back. Fusing the two cut mass, stiffened the structure and removed a layer of potential distortion. It looks obvious in hindsight, but in 1981 it was borderline radical.

This cartridge is built for accuracy, not coloration. It doesn't warm things up and it doesn't smooth over the edges. Every tick, every breath and every string resonance gets passed through with clinical fidelity. Owners still report a vivid, lifelike presence, like the band is set up in your listening room. If you flip records to see how well the mastering engineer did the job, the Integra XLM II is your tool.

It adapts, too. With tracking angle and offset angle adjustments, it is engineered to eliminate audible tracking distortion across the entire record surface. Nearly all records are cut at a 20° tracking angle, and the Integra lets you match that exactly, no matter your tonearm's height or geometry. That kind of precision wasn't common in consumer gear back then, and it's still rare now.

Specifications

Manufacturer	ADC
Output voltage @ 1kHz, 5cm/sec.	5.6mV
Output balance	1.5dB
Channel separation @ 1kHz	26dB
Frequency response	1Hz-24kHz +/-2dB
Stylus type	0.03 x 0.07 mil Diasa Elliptical
Tracking force recommended	1.2 g +/- 0.3 g (12 mN)
Load resistance	47k ohms
Load capacitance	275pF
Stylus replacement	RXM-II
Color	Silver/Black
Weight	12 g

Key Features

Integrated Carbon Fiber Headshell

The whole unit is built around a half-inch mount carbon fiber headshell. No plastic, no aluminum, no flex. Carbon fiber is light, stiff, and damps resonances that would otherwise muddy the signal. ADC claims up to 50% less mass than conventional cartridge-and-headshell combos, which means less inertia, quicker transient response and better tracking. The rigidity also helps prevent low-frequency signal loss and flexing under groove modulation, and it improves shielding from external electrical fields. In practice that means a quieter background and more dynamic clarity.

Patented Induced Magnet Design

The XLM II uses ADC's patented Induced Magnet Design, which has only one moving element. Fewer moving parts mean less energy loss and lower effective tip mass, which matters for tracking fine groove details without skating or distortion. This design is part of what gives the Integra its sharp transient response and low distortion. It isn't a moving magnet or a moving coil in the traditional sense. It's a hybrid approach that prioritizes efficiency and precision.

Omni-Pivot System

The armature is micro-machined to within 1/4 the thickness of a human hair and locked into a high-definition suspension block. The Omni-Pivot System keeps the armature in the optimal position, which cuts mechanical slop and improves magnetic coupling. That gives consistent output, tight channel balance, and a suspension that stays linear even at high modulation levels. It's over-engineered, and that's a good thing here.

Adjustable Tracking and Offset Angles

You can fine-tune both tracking angle and offset angle. The tracking angle adjusts vertically to match the 20° standard used in record cutting, which compensates for tonearm height differences. The offset angle can be set so that tracking error is less than 1° at any point on the record, which most fixed-headshell cartridges can't do. Add overhang adjustment and you can get near-perfect alignment, minimizing distortion across the entire playing surface. That level of adjustability puts many high-end tonearms to shame.

Universal Compatibility

Despite its precision, the Integra XLM II is designed to plug into most straight or half-inch mount tonearms. It doesn't demand a special setup or an exotic arm. That universality and plug-and-play integration make it a favorite among users who want high-end performance without a complex installation.

Collectibility & Value

The ADC Integra XLM II currently lists at $109.98 as new old stock, complete with the original owner's manual and a tracking angle gauge. Those are rare finds. It isn't in regular production and availability is spotty. One major retailer notes it's "currently unavailable" with no restock date.

One seller on Reverb called it a "reference standard" and one of their top three favorite cartridges, praising its sound, adjustability and value. That lines up with the marketing claims of uncompromised performance, even under demanding conditions. It's not the most expensive ADC ever made.

There's no data on common failures or maintenance issues, but the stylus is replaceable with the RXM-II model, which helps longevity. Given the integrated design, a damaged headshell would be a serious problem, but the carbon fiber construction makes that unlikely under normal use.