ADC QLM 36 Mk. II (1975–1978)
A well-tracked LP, a clean first note, detail with just a hint of warmth. This little German cartridge from the mid-70s was built to deliver that.
Overview
The ADC QLM 36 Mk. II isn't flashy. It was built for people who cared about getting the groove right. ADC was a name that carried quiet respect in the analog world. This moving iron phono cartridge, called a "Tonabnehmer" in Germany, was part of a tightly focused lineup aimed at serious listeners who wanted precision without fuss. It was produced between 1975 and 1978, when cartridge specs started to matter as much as the turntable they rode on. It retailed for 128 Deutsche Mark. That wasn't cheap at the time, but it wasn't top-tier either. It was meant to punch above its price point.
It uses the induced magnet (moving iron) principle and connects as a standard MM (moving magnet) type, so it works with most preamps of the era. You don't need exotic gear. A decent tonearm will do, like the ADC LMF 1 or LMF 2, which were designed to work with cartridges like this. At 5.75 grams, it's light enough to suit a range of arms without overloading them, as long as you stay inside its tracking force window of 0.75 to 1.5 grams. Go too heavy and you'll wear the delicate elliptical stylus down fast. Go too light and it'll skip or mistrack. It's not forgiving.
The stylus is a bonded elliptical tip measuring 0.008 mm by 0.018 mm. That shape follows the high-frequency modulations in the groove better than a spherical tip can. Owners of similar ADC models report cleaner highs and tighter stereo imaging. Frequency response runs 15 to 20,000 Hz within ±3 dB, which was solid for the time. Channel separation is 26 dB, which is nothing mind-blowing by modern standards but enough to keep the instruments in their lanes. Output is 5.5 mV at 5.5 cm/s, so you won't be hunting for volume, and it works with standard MM inputs without extra gain.
This is the Mk. II, but the fact sheet doesn't say how it differs from earlier or later versions. There's no mention of changes to the generator, body, or suspension, just the specs as they stand. The QLM 36 Mk. III has more aftermarket support today, and replacement styli for the Mk. III might fit the Mk. II. One source notes that the Mk. III uses "an ordinary bonded elliptical stylus" with similar tracking needs. Whether that applies directly to the Mk. II is unconfirmed, but it suggests keeping this cartridge alive isn't a lost cause.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | ADC |
| Product type | Tonabnehmer (phono cartridge) |
| Production years | 1975 - 1978 |
| Original price | 128 DM |
| Weight | 5,75 g |
| Principle | Induced Magnet (Moving Iron, Anschluss als MM) |
| Frequency response | 15 - 20.000 Hz (±3 dB) |
| Channel separation | 26 dB |
| Output voltage | 5,5 mV / 5,5 cm / s |
| Stylus tip | elliptisch (0,008 mm x 0,018 mm) |
| Recommended tracking force | 0,75 - 1,5 p |
Collectibility & Value
A complete, working ADC QLM 36 Mk. II is hard to find today. There's no data on current prices for the full cartridge, but the market for parts gives some clues. A listing for a "Diamant Saphir Stylus ADC QLM36MKIII MK3 QLM30MKII QLM30II INTEGRA XLMIII XLMI" recently appeared on eBay for EUR 52.55. Separately, DaCapo Audio lists an "Original Original Stylus - 1391" for the QLM 36 Mk. III at $50.75, and an aftermarket elliptical (1068-DE) for $32.21. These are for the Mk. III. Since it uses a common bonded elliptical stylus with similar tracking specs, the Mk. II might be serviceable with careful part matching.
There's no confirmation on whether the stylus assemblies are interchangeable. There's also no information on common failures, repair difficulty, or stylus alignment quirks, so owners are left to experiment. If you're picking one up, inspect the cantilever carefully for wobble or misalignment, and check that the output is balanced across channels. The fact sheet gives no channel balance specs, so that's on you to test. Given its age, the internal wires could be brittle, and the rubber damping elements may have dried out, affecting performance.
It’s not a showpiece, but it’s a thinker’s cartridge—compact, precise, and built for those who liked their sound clean and their specs honest. It won’t command hundreds like some exotic moving coils, but for someone restoring a period-correct ADC-based system, it’s invaluable.
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