LONDON Decca, Tzar DST and similar cartridges

Thanks Noromance.....😃

You wrote a few years ago advising against graphite headshells. What changed your mind?

Good question.....
I made the common mistake of audiophiles in 'assuming' that my experiences with carbon-fibre (not graphite) in the playback system (mats, tonearms) would apply to headshells as well....🤗
When I actually tried the Yamamoto HS-4 Carbon Fiber in my system....I realised I had been wrong.....🙃

Are you still having the same issues with your HS-4 headshell....?

I use the UNI-protractor for all my cartridge set-ups except with the DV-507/II which comes with its own easy-to-use Overhang Gauge.

I don't think you should have trouble with the Mint.....
Presumably Yip prepared it with the P to S distance of 250mm rather than the 251.5mm recommended by Dietrich Brakemeier....?
And he normally sets it to Baerwald (Löfgren A)...so just ensure your P to S is as accurate as you can get it.
Good luck.

@halcro Of course, I meant carbon fibre not graphite. I returned the Yamamoto CF headshell so I can’t experiment further. The bass was better delineated but the upper mids, highs and air were attenuated. That's a no-no for me. If I get a tax rebate, I may try the Arche. It is expensive but it has sterling feedback.

@chakster, re the FR7 series I actually have the basic FR7, the FR7fz (that  you refer to), a “one off “ which is stamped “PW-1” as well as the FR7fc.
In my system the FR7fc and the “PW-1” shade it ahead of the fz (which is itself a big upgrade on the basic FR7).
To my ears the fc is just more musical, like an mc version of the London Reference.
Of course my ears could probably also do with an upgrade, but sadly I’m stuck with them !

To any LDR fettlers, my continuing odyssey into its set up continues.
For a while I ran it in my FR66s at 2.0 gms and no anti skate.
i now run it at 1.82 gms with a tiny amount of bias (on the FR using the small weight at just a little in from the minimum setting) and I think it’s better- more texture and delicacy without any loss of tracking ability.
On the Hi Fi news test record the results are : lateral test - the cartridge shakes (badly !) at 7hz;  vertical test - same shake at 15 hz.
Those tests are not affected by VTF.
i use the Arche headshell - it may be OCD but the titanium headshell screws they also sell helped with the LR - I guess “ every little helps ...”