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Decca cartridge experiences

I really don't expect any response to this as the issue of Deccas, and all the controversies they stirred up is now passé, but does anyone out there own and use a Decca, and if so, did you find a tonearm which will accomodate it? I'd appreciate it if anyone shared their experiences with it, good or bad. I've found two tonearms in which it will work well: one a Mayware tonearm in which it works superbly, and one a Maplenoll air-bearing 'table with fluid damping trough, but I'm having a bit of trouble getting this combo to work again (I've only recently re-acquired the Maplenoll)...I'll have to fiddle with viscosity, amount of fluid and so on.

To all those who haven't had a chance to hear this cartridge, and who like to experiment and have fun (and tear their hair out), then a Decca still has the most slam of any cartridge, and retrieves an incredible amount of detail from the groove. Though these days it no longer sells for pocket change (the Super Gold goes for $850, but there are cheaper models), it's still not in the stratosphere like so many others. It is dificlt to find a tonearm which will accomodate it as well.

I'd appreciate as well any experiences with the new versions, as I hear the new stylus profile makes it less difficult. I think the responses will be "0", but any cartridge which stirred up this much controversy (at least a while ago) is Good News, like the Shelter (which is far more accomodating, however)...Thank you for your attention, if any attention there is...
johnnantais
eyiu
7 posts
 
Goyescas, thanks for your reply. I have similar postulation as yours before. However, I asked that question to Mr. Hanrik, below is his surprising reply.

----
Hi,

The armtube should be Precision/red or red or green. Blue is too heavy
because the cartridge already is heavy.

Best regards

Hans Henrik

----- Original Message -----
To: "Hans Henrik Mørch"
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 9:49 AM
Subject: Re: Arm tube to be used with Decca London Jubilee
> Dear Mr. Moerch,
>
> It has been quite a while since we last chat on your great
tonearm product.
>
> I am planning to setup a Decca London Jubilee cart on a DP6. I would like to have your advice on which particular arm tube to be used? My current plan
is to use it with a Pre-Blue arm tube.
nrrudgebadf
1 posts
 
02-09-04
I stated a love / hate relationship with a newly purchased London Maroon in 1977 or so when I lived in South Africa. I used an Audio-Design damped murcury contact unipivot (early Keith Monk's), with success until it died from stylus abuse (partying!). I then moved on to various moving-coil cartridges.
until the mid 1980's, when I couldent resist the offer of a secondhand early 'Gold' FOR 20ukp. I used it for an few years until I destroyed it in a fit of rage due to its increasing mistracking, and after realising it was damaging my records. I think that over-use of stylus cleaning fluid weakened the glue holding the internal magnet structure and tie-back cord (beware!). Even after that, and many years using a Linn Asak, I still yearn for another (am I mad - maybe the years of cleaning the murcury conacts on that arm addled my brain??), but cannot afford a new one), especially since the recent purchase of an old Counterpoint SA3.1 Preamp without MC input means I cannot continue to use the Linn Cartridge direct.
(The rest of my system currently consists of Apogee Scintilla (1 Ohm),Apogee Dax3 x-over, Musical Fidelity A370-2 X2 + MVT Pre, Michell Electronic Ref T/T with Fidelity Research FR24-2 arm and glass mat, Linn Karik+Teac T1 Dac)
johnnantais OP
621 posts
 
Yes, you are stark, raving mad! Just goes to show you that the Deccas - when you can get them to work well - are in many respects unmatched by anything devised to date, especially dynamics and speed. I have found an excellent and obvious match to my Decca: a Decca International tonearm. I am listening to it right now, and amazed that this very difficult cartridge (I have had other Decca Super Golds which behaved better than this latest one) is playing beautifull with no sign of mistracking. I have totally modded my Decca tonearm, re-wiring it, and glueing all the friction fits in place with epoxy-resin. NOW we're talking about detail and PRaT. The Decca International is not very strong in the bass, however, which mitigates that other Decca strength to some extent: powerful and juicy bass slam. According to a recent review in Hi-Fi World, the new Deccas now track superbly, being now fitted with a new stylus shape. For the moment, mine is tracking well too, and still blindingly fast and very detailed. Even smooth!!!
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Johnnantais, you might be interested in my post on the H-Cat phono using the Jubilee.
johnnantais OP
621 posts
 
Thanks for the head's up, Tbg, nothing dearer to my heart than a Decca mounted on an idler-wheel drive!
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