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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
 
Deccas are strange cartridges, Patrick, and you never know where they will work next. They do like unipivots, and so on this score it should work with your Graham. They are said to prefer higher mass tonearms, but on my Black Widow, it tracks no problem, which is very strange, as the Black Widow is an ultra-low-mass tonearm with knife-edge bearings, the last thing I would think it could track in! Tbg reports good results in the Schoeder tonearm. So, my guess is that if you get a new Decca - like the one reviewed in this month's Hi Fi World - the new stylus profile (at least I have heard it is new) will make it more tonearm-friendly.

The difficulty of mounting the Lenco into a new plinth depends on how familiar you are with tools. Having the outer dimensions cut for you helps a lot in the final finish: amateur cuts with simple tools inside the 'table will not be visible. The plinth itself will be easy to drill, the Lenco top-plate is not very thick, so can be cut quite easily with a rotary tool or with a hacksaw. But you should get the tonearm aligment template and see if it won't just pop into the Lenco's own armhole. The Rega arm pops right in, but not with perfect geometry. I have just cut off the cormer of my latest Lenco L78 to allow for perfect geometry and VTA. I will post photos of this new plinth/'table soon on the Home Depot thread to give everyone an idea of how to do it.
eyiu
7 posts
 
Glad to see alot of discussion on the Decca cart. I have recently acquired a Decca Jubilee. I plan to use it with Morch / Moerch DP-6. I am wondering if there is any kind soul has any expereince to share regarding this combo.

I am particularlyl interested to know what is the best match arm tube for it. I have a fair selection of arm tube.

Precision-Red, Pre-blue, Red and Yellow.
goyescas's avatar
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goyescas
31 posts
 
Eyiu, you will wan to use the Precision Blue armwand. The cartridge weighs 10g and its compliance is going to fall somewhere between 10 and 15cu; so the blue armwand will get you the lowest Resonant Frequency (8.55Hz if 15cu, 10.5Hz if 10cu).

Either of these figures will be acceptable, 8Hz being, IMO, optimum. Either way, not a huge difference.

You should probably consider using the damping fluid in your DP-6. I do and this is running a Scheu-Benz; your cartridge almost always will benefit from some damping.

Hope this helps.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I am having very good luck with my Jubilee in the Schroeder Reference arm on the Garrard 501. I recently discovered that I could get it to track with no problems at just under 2 grams. Here the bass is what I remember the Londons being like and the top end is very quick and true. The anti-skating, however, has to be right on, especially for the inner grooves.

I have my J. Aleret MC2 Finish back, but I am having so much fun with the Decca.
lapaix
45 posts
 
Long ago I used a Decca London cartridge -- it has a maroon top. I really loved that cartridge, but for some reason I switched to a Denon 103D, and promptly forgot the Decca. Quite by chance I recently found it in a pile of extinct audio components in an old box in the garage (above the high water mark). It has only three pins, and so I am not clear about how to hook it up, nor am I very highly motivated since my Cello cartridge, although a bit long in the tooth, is excellent. I wonder whether it makes sense to send the Decca somewhere (but where?) to be refurbished.
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