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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
topoxforddoc's avatar
topoxforddoc
313 posts
 
I still have my Deccas - a Maroon and an original Garrott Bros Decca Gold. The Garrott rebuild was just fantastic. I now use an Allaerts MC1-B which is more subtle, less slam, sweeter at the top end and tracks sooo much better.

I used my Deccas on a Hadcock 228. Back in the 80s when the Deccas were more in vogue, most people used them in unipivots. I used to sell them in the UK when I worked with a much younger Ken Kessler.

By the way, although the Garrott Bros were killed in an accidenet almost 20 years ago, the firm is back in action with rebuilds reputedly to the same standard. Won't be as cheap (mine was 65 GBP in the early 80s!)
johnnantais OP
621 posts
 
Topoxforddoc,
You don't ever get the temptation to set it up again for that famous Decca slam? And I take it the Garrott Bros. rebuild didn't improve the tracking? Thanks for the info: the Hadcocks are back in production, so another possibility.
topoxforddoc's avatar
topoxforddoc
313 posts
 
Yeah, I will some time. Had it on about 6 months ago. But I get plenty of slam from my current setup - Platine Verdier, Hadcock 228 (soon to be replaced by Schroeder model 2), Allaerts MC1B, Verdier control B valve preamp, rebuilt Quad IIs and Avantgarde Duos. In fact with the Duos, almost everything plays with slam!
johnnantais OP
621 posts
 
I can see your point, with a Decca in that set-up you'd likely get blown out the back wall...You'd have to wear protective gear! I applaud your choice of high-sensitivity speakers, you're obviously after the excitement of music, which explains why you had a Decca in the first place. Fascinating record deck combination, too bad you're so far away, I'd love to hear that. If you look further up this thread, you will see that someone with a Schroeder is thinking of buying a Jubilee, which is apparently a popular combination in Europe. But I think he isn't using Avantgardes, and so it is not such a dangerous proposition for him.
rwd
695 posts
 
So tell me......is it best to look for a London Decca (gold) that is used, say on e-bay or go with new? I see Needle Dr. sells Decca's. I assume they are new versus used.
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