Deaf Row!

[Barry]

Blimey!

I've just put my ADC 26 into my Mission 774 arm after not having heard one for quite a while.



I'd forgotten how astonishingly good these cartridges are. They're virtually impossible to use in most arms because of the extremely high 60cu compliance. The 774 copes OK though. The sound is big, refined, uncoloured, truly transparent and enormously detailed. Very superior to what most MM cartridge users ever experience (OK technically it's an induced magnet cart). We're in the same territory as some pretty good MCs here. This really is pretty special, a superb sound.

The 26 definitely seems somewhat ahead of the excellent ADC 10E Mk.IV which is similar in design (and I like very much), but has lower compliance.

I just tried my spare ADC 27 stylus in the 26 (they are interchangeable). The 27's compliance is marginally lower. It sounded identical to me.

Glad to hear you are enjoying the ADC 26. I may resurrect my ADC 25 (same generator and stylus as the 26) and pop it into my Breuer Dynamic Type 5A arm (effective mass 4g). The 26 also works well in the SME 3009 Mk.II (Improved ) fixed headshell arm (I bought the two together, but have since sold the arm).

Another arm which could be ideal for the 25/26 is the Infinity 'Black Widow' (effective mass 3g). I have one of these and since it has the SME style bed plate, it wouldn't be too much trouble swapping the arms.

Perhaps that could be a little project: comparing the performance of a 25/26 in two different, but suitable, arms.

[walpurgis]

Don't know if you're interested Barry, but I mentioned in 'Bargains on eBay' tonight a boxed ADC 25 set.

By the way, I checked my 26 stylus under a microscope today. The shanked diamond tip looks mint. I think I'll hang on to this one.

[walpurgis]

Just arrived.

Two lengths of rather rare Straight Wire 'Stage' speaker cable, just under 4.0m length each. It's quite chunky, but pretty flexible (unlike my Audioquest and Merlin stuff). I've been wanting some for a while. Straight Wire cables are a US make and are fairly scarce here, but they always sound good (I've got a few of their interconnects). I'll need to do a decent termination job on these, but I'm expecting good things. I'll report back and post another picture when they're done and tried out.

[struth]

looks like 8 wires in there Geoff... how are you intending using them?

[walpurgis]

looks like 8 wires in there Geoff... how are you intending using them?

As a stereo pair. Not bi-wire.

[walpurgis]

Just reterminated the cables. They look better. I'll give them a try once I can reach the Hi-Fi. I've got huge piles of equipment in the way at the moment. Having a sort out!



Might as well mention the Philips speakers here, as this is my system thread, even though I did elsewhere earlier.



Philips FWB-MCM11 speakers from charity shop for a fiver. Ribbon tweeters and alloy bass/mid unit. I'll wire them up in the next day or so and see what they sound like. Rumour has it they are OK!

[struth]

they look nice. even if they are not youll get plenty spares

they are a little different to what i thought main driver wise.

[walpurgis]

Latest addition on the vinyl front. Grado F-1+.



Yet to be tried out. Grados have a really nice mid presentation. I've not had one for years, so I thought I'd get another.

[Barry]

I used to have a Grado FTE+1, bought for silly money (~ £15) in 1980. For the asking price, the performance was incredible. Not sure if they are still available; I gave mine to a friend.

[walpurgis]

I used to have a Grado FTE+1, bought for silly money (~ £15) in 1980. For the asking price, the performance was incredible. Not sure if they are still available; I gave mine to a friend.

Good cartridge Barry.

My first Grado was an F3+. It sounded as good through the mid as the Decca Blue I had at the time.

Quite a few older Grados still get offered for sale. They always sound nice. Grado are my favourite MMs next to the ADCs (which aren't true MMs anyway).