ADC Astrion advice

[pacnw]

I just received one of these cartridges, a hand-me-down from a relative. Are the any good? I don't have a turntable so I'll probably sell it. Any advice on a price?

https://turntabledustcovers.3dcartstores.com/Needle-113-RSA_p_865.html

[emaidel]

I just received one of these cartridges, a hand-me-down from a relative. Are the any good? I don't have a turntable so I'll probably sell it. Any advice on a price?

https://turntabledustcovers.3dcartstores.com/Needle-113-RSA_p_865.html

The ADC Astrion was, arguably, the best packaged cartridge in the history of the industry. As the cartridge itself was transparent, it was housed in a chiseled block of lucite, with the name "ASTRION" carved into the top. That was then placed in a blue velvet sack with a gold tie, and all of that inside a larger cube-shaped box.

Packaging does not a good cartridge make, and while I was in charge of the ADC cartridge division during my tenure at BSR, I sampled a couple of them (this was long after the model had been discontinued) and found them to be rather lifeless, uninspiring cartridges. They tracked well, but that's the best I could say for them.

[hifitommy]

i was an original XLM owner and was entirely taken by it but never heard an astrion. it seemed that after peter left, new products in the line appeared and never proved to be as forward reaching as when he was there. i used it in a rabco st4 and a grace 707.

my friend continued with the sonuses and was quite happy and enthusiastic and yes they were fine carts. the were pretty much the same design and just as delicate. then adc made him stop. its not as if they were capable of continuing the excellence inherent in the original adc line.

i remeber that the tas guys had already been gaga over the adc25 and wary of its delicacy or rather lack of robustness of durability. when the XLM came in the scene, they jumped on it and i followed suit. that was the beauty of finding tas, you could HEAR what they were talking about.

if only i had been wise enough and monied enough to buy a BUNCH of them. i would be rich either in sound or from the resales. that rounded, real sounding bass (as in upright), dynamic, imaging and soundstaging (holographic) was SO very addicting. even cymbals had such microscopic detail and accuracy that it was astounding.

in an XLM/v15III/at15s shootout, it came out on top which suprised us greatly at the time.

[fantao]

There's a review of the Astrion posted over at the Vinyl Engine Forum (you may need to sign up to view):
http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4180
or try this:
http://downloads.nakedresource.com/download_centre/index.php?adc_astrion_review.pdf

The review (Stereo Review) is favorable, mentioning a flat response and neutral sound.

Never had an Astrion but I liked the packaging on the ZLM, a metallic cone shaped thing that looked like a piece of space hardware.