ADC RLX-III (Unknown Years)
The ADC RLX-III is a replacement stylus. It is meant to track the groove quietly enough that you forget it is there.
Overview
The ADC RLX-III isn't a cartridge and it isn't a turntable. It's a replacement stylus, made for the ADC LX-III (or LXIII) phono cartridge. That cartridge doesn't show up in every ADC catalog, but it still turns up in forums and repair shops. The RLX-III is the business end of that setup. It's the part that rides the groove and turns the vinyl undulations into something your amp can use.
The designation sounds more like a secret project than a consumer part, but there's no grand lineage spelled out in brochures or service manuals. One vinyl forum notes that the ADC LX-III "seems to not be a standard part of the ADC line-up." So if you've got one, you're either deep in the weeds or lucky at the thrift store. The RLX-III exists to keep that oddball cartridge running. It has a "highly polished special elliptical diamond" tip, presumably meant to sit deep in the groove walls without tearing them up.
Owners report that the replacement stylus offers “excellent precision tracing of record grooves and accurate rendition of voice and music,” which, for a part smaller than a grain of rice, is about as glowing a review as you can get. It’s not about flash or hype; it’s about trust. You drop the tonearm, the needle finds the lead-in, and if you don’t hear a pop, a skip, or a smear—just music—then the RLX-III did its job. That’s the quiet victory of a good stylus: when it disappears.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | ADC |
| Product Type | Replacement needle stylus for a phono cartridge |
| Stylus Tip Shape | Special elliptical diamond |
| Stylus Tip Scanning Radii | .0003 x .0007 inch |
| Compatible Cartridge | ADC LX-III (or LXIII) phono cartridge |
Collectibility & Value
The ADC RLX-III is a functional part, and it's priced like one. As of the latest listing from LP Gear, the replacement stylus runs $73.00. That's not cheap for a needle. It's a precisely shaped, highly polished diamond made to match the original specs of a semi-obscure cartridge. For anyone maintaining a vintage setup, it's a necessity, not an upgrade. There's no data on original pricing, production years, or common failure modes, so buyers have to go on current vendor descriptions and what other ADC owners say. If your LX-III cartridge still works and you can't find a modern equivalent that tracks right, the RLX-III might be the only option.
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