I owned a 681EEE for some years and used it on various decks and arms - the XLM II trounced it and my Sonus Blue and ZLM out-perform that too.. The Stanton 681EEE sounded dull and boring to me - nothing like the M3D 
. Bluz bros still have new ADC's as well, the XLM III now costing nearly $300.
To defend the K18, the mark 2 version was quite good, the mk1's collapsing very often with no warning - your problem was more the Akito I reckon. The AT440MLa would see it off though IMO. I lose track (sorry..) of AT's range as they have so many cross-over models at similar price points but the 440MLa seems a good value mm and with a stylus that'll cope with most awkward discs.
Currently playing a re-discovered Supex 900E with a still good tip (as checked under a microscope). A bit sucked out in the mid which the BC2's aren't too keen on..
Last edited by DSJR; 25-05-2009 at 19:37.
I can't go on and I can't go back, I don't feel so matter of fact,
I tried and tried to make good sense, What's the good to try it all again?
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