ADC Q36 (1972–1973)

A mid-tier MM cartridge that is smooth, stable and tougher than it looks, as long as the magnet hasn't come loose.

Overview

The ADC Q36 is an elliptical moving magnet cartridge from 1972-1973. It has no flashy specs and no legendary pedigree. It came out while ADC was refining the Q series to fix what longtime users said held the earlier models back - ease of setup and consistent groove tracking. Reviewer 岩崎千明 put it plainly: the Q series, and the Q36 in particular, patched the biggest weakness of previous ADC cartridges. He called it “the best class in the Q series” and said he'd recommend it to anyone.

It wasn't a flagship, and it wasn't entry-level either. Owners put it in the same performance neighborhood as the Shure M91/M75 or the XV15 400/625, cartridges that balanced precision with musicality without needing a lab-grade tonearm. One user summed it up in three words: “It sounded good.” Another wrote “The ADC q36 is a great Cartridge!” and kept the capital letters. The bass stays tight, never wooly or boxy, and the wide bandwidth gives vocals and acoustic detail a natural lift.

The Q36 is part of the ADC Q series (sometimes written as Qシリーズ), a family of cartridges that prioritized stability and user-friendliness. Collectors get confused here. Some mention a “P36” or an “RQ36” stylus, and one unit even had “P36” embossed on it. But the model itself, as listed in archives and for sale across multiple platforms, is consistently the Q36. Whether the P series came before or was a variant remains unclear.

Specifications

Manufacturer	ADC
Product type	MM (Moving Magnet) phono cartridge
Production years	1972–1973
Stylus tip	Diamond Elliptical .7 x .2 mil
Compatible speeds	16, 33, or 45 rpm. NOT for 78 rpm speed.
Tracking force range	.75 - 1.75 grams
Original needle color	usually PALE BLUE
Stylus type	slipper
Compliance	35 cu
Stylus type (replacement)	Type 109-DET
Stylus tip (construction)	Bonded tip, bonded with another gem stone (sapphire)

Key Features

Elliptical diamond on a sapphire base

The Q36 uses a bonded diamond elliptical stylus, .7 x .2 mil, mounted on another gemstone, specifically sapphire. This was a cost-effective way to get high traceability without the fragility of a nude elliptical. The sapphire base adds rigidity and helps maintain alignment under lateral stress. The stylus handles 16, 33, and 45 rpm records, but it's explicitly not rated for 78s.

Pale blue stylus guard

One giveaway of an original Q36 is the pale blue plastic stylus guard. Owners report this was the standard color for the original 109-DET stylus assembly. A faded or missing guard may mean a recapped unit or one that's seen serious playtime. Replacement styli still use the 109-DET designation and are available for $29.00.

Slipper stylus design

The “slipper” stylus type refers to the shape and suspension of the cantilever assembly, a design meant to reduce resonance and improve high-frequency tracking. The term is not common, but in context it suggests a focus on mechanical damping and stability. With a compliance of 35 cu, the Q36 pairs well with medium-mass tonearms and avoids the flabby bass that can plague high-compliance cartridges on lightweight arms. Reviews note its “stable sound and tracing characteristics.”

A known weak point—and a surprisingly simple fix

One recurring issue, noted by a user who repaired their own unit, is that the front stylus magnet can come unattached from the cartridge body over time. It's not universal, but it's specific enough to count as a known failure mode. It's often fixable with a tiny dab of super glue on the front magnet and the back end of the metal housing. One owner reported this brought their cartridge back to “unused condition.”

Collectibility & Value

The ADC Q36 trades in a narrow but active band among MM collectors. A working unit without a stylus listed for $39.95 on Samurai Audio, and another sold for $40 in used condition. A never-used (NOS) example runs closer to $70. One NOS or used unit was listed on Kleinanzeigen for €119 on March 21, 2026, which suggests European demand may push prices higher, especially with original packaging or accessories.

Replacement styli remain easy to find. The 109-DET stylus assembly runs $29.00. There's no original MSRP on record, but as a mid-tier performer it likely retailed at a competitive price in the early '70s. Today it's seen as “a very worthy cartridge for ADC collectors.”