LONDON Decca, Tzar DST and similar cartridges


I have always been curious about these phono cartridges and the Stereophile review of the Tzar DST has heightened my interest. When I read about the peculiarities of these cartridges, I am put off from trying them. Can anyone offer persuasive reasons to try them and also provide real practical advice on how to make them work reliably?  Tonearm suggestions? Phono preamp suggestions? Damping recommendations? How badly do they grind out record grooves?  Any other words of advice? Thanks. 
128x128kmccarty
Nice system, Howard. I'm at the low end of all this wonderful gear. (See my system in my profile)
I've had a Decca Super Gold since the 80s on an LP12 where it was eventually relegated to the bottom of the drawer.
It's since been rejuvenated with a Decapod and the same stylus as used in the LDR, and vanquished of malady by installing it on a slate plinthed and heavily modded Garrard 401. I've also acquired two other treasured Garrott Brothers' cartridges.
Ugh. The loading debate. Free the beast. To hell with the frequency hump. I use 51k bulk foil resistors and my Deccas never sounded better. 
@howardalex What a rare beast you have there FR7fc. Interesting to learn LDR beats it in your system. What headshell and phono cable do you use?
FR-7fc is indeed very rare, but only this model in entire FR-7 range has 0.65 mil CONICAL TIP at the same time higher retail price in 1981 according to this page. But the output at their comparison chart is incorrect for some models, so i will add correct info:

*The best cartridge in FR-7 series is FR-7fz (not 7fc)

The "fz" has a Line Contact stylus tip and 0.24mv output, 5 Ohm impedance.

The "fc" has Conical tip and 0.2mV output, 2-3 Ohm impedance

The "f" has 0.15mm square shank Contact Line stylus and 0.15mV output, 2-3 Ohm impedance.

My advice is to upgrade to FZ
When i did that from F to FZ it was noticeable.


For what its worth I’d rank the FR7fc as the second best, coming closest to the musicality of the LDR.

I believe you did not rank it as NUMBER ONE only because your FC has a conical tip, i'm sure when you will try FZ with Line Contact stylus it will be nearly impossible to find a better cartridge at any price if you have Fidelity-Research 64s or 64fx tonearm for this monster.