ADC XLM II Improved ()

Name: ADC II Improved
Brand: ADC

One of the few moving magnet cartridges to use a patented low-mass induced magnet design. It's light on the groove, but not always easy on the wallet when the stylus needs replacing.

Overview

The ADC XLM II Improved isn't a name that gets the attention a Shure V15 or a Denon 103 does. But anyone who has dug through forgotten turntable setups from the late analog era has probably found one gathering dust in a drawer. Audio Dynamics Corporation (ADC) made it. The company never quite broke into the mainstream, despite some clever engineering. It's a moving magnet design, but not the usual kind. Owners report it's been a favorite for at least some listeners, with one user on Audiokarma calling it their "fave MM cart for the last year or so".

What sets the XLM II Improved apart is its construction. We can't verify tonal character from available data, so stick to the build. It uses a patented induced magnet system, a way to keep moving mass low without giving up output. Less mass means better transient response and less inertia dragging the stylus through tight grooves. It's not a high-output monster, and it won't track at feather-light pressures like some ultra-compliant designs. It sits in the middle.

Specifications

Manufacturer	ADC (Audio Dynamics Corporation)
Product type	Phono cartridge, pickup
Cartridge type	Induced magnet
Stylus tip	.002 x .007 inch
Stylus tip description	Diamond tip fused to a sapphire base (Diasa tip)
Cantilever	Low mass hollow tube
Tracking force (optimum)	1.2 grams

Key Features

Induced Magnet Design

The induced magnet system is the core of the XLM II Improved, and ADC patented it to get around the usual trade-offs in moving magnet cartridges. The magnets aren't attached directly to the cantilever, which would add mass. Instead the moving part carries soft iron pieces that modulate a fixed magnetic field. That keeps the moving assembly lighter, which in theory allows better high-frequency tracking and lower distortion. It's not a new idea in cartridge engineering, but ADC executed it well enough to earn a reputation for precision without fragility. The low-mass hollow tube cantilever cuts inertia further and helps the stylus stay planted in the groove during complex passages.

Suspension Tuning

Compared to earlier ADC models, the XLM II Improved uses a less compliant suspension. That makes it stiffer and less forgiving of warped records or misaligned tonearms, but potentially more stable at higher tracking forces. It isn't a cartridge for the 0.75-gram tracking crowd. It's tuned for around 1.2 grams, right in the middle of the typical MM range. That makes it easy to set up on a wide variety of arms, but you can't push low tracking the way you might with a more compliant design.

Collectibility & Value

The ADC XLM II Improved doesn't fetch unicorn-cartridge prices, but it isn't cheap to maintain either. A replacement OEM stylus was reportedly priced at $125 US. That's a steep cost for a single part, especially when the whole cartridge now sells for less in many cases. ADC likely built these to be serviced, not replaced. Today the market is all over the place. Listings range from €35 on European auction sites to ¥19,800 in Japan, with $110 appearing as a common asking price on Reverb. Condition, included accessories (like the headshell or stylus guard) and geographical demand all play a big role. If you're buying, check whether the stylus is original or replaced. Given the cost of a new one, that could make or break the deal.