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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
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.
johnnantais OP
621 posts
 
Rwd,

Of course it's better if you go for a new Decca: then you can report to this post and let us know all about it! But seriously, Decca claims that the new stypus profile - available only on the Super Gold and Jubilee - makes it much more tonearm-friendly and improves tracking. Also, all new Deccas (they are new) come with the non-bitch four-pin bracket, and can be ordered with factory-installed Decapod mounts (a more rigid metal bracket). Though I have a Decca that works very well in two turntables, I still keep a baker's dozen of other cartridges around for when I want to relax more, a Grado Platinum being my mainstay for now (in a low-mass tonearm, the Grado comes close to the Decca in overall dynamics, but not in slam), until I get a new stylus for my V15 (play and forget). The VPI does have removeable arm-wands, doesn't it? This would be a great - though fairly expensive - set-up, a Decca for that roller-coaster feeling, and another cartridge for a less intense experience. If you can source a used four-pin, then maybe it's wiser to go this route to see how it meshes with your system. I don't want to be held responsible for whatever happens - unless it's good: then praise away! Whichever route you take, let us know how a Decca works out on the VPI. In the meantime, I'm waiting for the Decca International tonearms I've ordered, assuming they come, which I'll mount on my Audiomeca, which I'll report on. Currently, I'm fiddling with the fluid on my Maplenoll.
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