ADC QLM33mkII ()

A vintage phono cartridge shrouded in scarcity—known more by name than by data, and traded in whispers among analog diehards.

Specifications

Manufacturer	ADC (Audio Dynamics Corporation)
Tracking force range	3-5 grams
Stylus tip material	Diamond
Stylus shape	highly polished special elliptical diamond

Collectibility & Value

The ADC QLM33mkII lives in the shadow of its better-documented siblings, the QLM30 MKIII and QLM33 MkIII, making it a ghost in the catalog—listed, but not fully seen. Replacement styli for the QLM33mkII are available new, with one listing on Amazon priced at $44.99 USD, suggesting a niche but persistent aftermarket. For the cartridge itself, hard pricing is elusive; however, used ADC cartridges in the QLM30/33 family (primarily MkIII variants) have been spotted on eBay ranging from $6.45 to $168.00, with HifiShark listings in the UK showing £35 to £65. Replacement styli across compatible models generally sell between $24.99 and $52.00, depending on condition and seller.

One consistent warning from sellers: a worn stylus isn’t just a sonic downgrade—it’s a hazard. As SCOTT NANGLE AUDIO notes, “A worn stylus can cause serious (Irreversible Damage) to your records, and provide poor sound quality.” That’s true for any cartridge, but especially perilous here, where original parts are scarce and misidentification is common. Given the lack of technical specs, production dates, or lineage details, buyers should proceed with caution—ideally verifying compatibility with models like the RSQ33 MKII/MKIII or ADC1700, which are confirmed to share stylus types.