LONDON Decca, Tzar DST and similar cartridges

After using Kondo, zyx, and dynavector MCs I started.with the Decca super gold courtesy of Warren. It was a revelation even without proper loading. The Reference is more natural and nuanced and that too is without proper loading. I personally wouldn’t worry about the loading straight away. The main thing with these carts is to keep the stylus clean . A Mr clean magic eraser is essential in my opinion

exlibris' use of "a revelation" is not hyperbole! The most immediate, present, alive, downright exciting sound I've heard from LP's comes from them being played by a Decca/London. Hearing a direct-to-disc LP played by one provides with as close to a live-feed (the sound of the musicians in a recording studio as heard through the monitors at the mixing desk, live and unrecorded) as I have heard. But I haven't heard the Zsar, nor am I likely to. Who has ten grand for a pickup?!

Just installed the Tzar DST. Everything I've read regarding midrange and treble is true. There is a rightness to the sound that no other cartridge I've owned can touch. Piano is to die for. Complex and loud jazz pieces are easily reproduced. Female voice is clearer than anything I've ever heard. There is no going back.

The first tonearm I used was the Kuzma 4Point. It has an effective mass of 13g. According to Frank Schroeder, this is too low. I will agree. There was a slight lack of base energy.

The second arm I used was the Schroeder BA (Broadcast Arm). This arm is specifically built for the DST. It's effective mass is 25g. Wow!, there's the base. If you're thinking of this cartridge, the arm is almost mandatory. If you already own a high mass arm, try to get this cartridge into your system.

One caveat, the base is clear and tight. It's like going from a ported speaker to a sealed version. The drums whack you in the chest, and then they stop, no overhang. I like it.

I'm green with envy, Billy. To get a Tzar (spelled it correctly this time ;-) of my own, that's what I need more of---green!

Hey bdp24. I have a very understanding wife. Maybe one day I'll tell her what I got?????

Being an old guy, with kids all gone and doing well, I can occasionally treat myself. I hope my beat up old pickup lasts a few more years. I'd hate to explain why I can't get another?.

And now a very important edit: with a slight VTA adjustment, and now 10 hours of playing time, both the bass, and the base, are amazing. Please disregard any reservations about the lower registers. My first impressions where premature.