Looking for a London (DECCA) Reference phono cartridge

I wish you luck. My Reference, recently rebuilt by John, is not going to be sold, and nor is the Jubilee I have as backup. You could probably find a used Super Gold or Maroon more easily if you are willing to go there. There is a very long and informative threat over at Lenco Heaven with many owners participating.

As for set up advice, the modern London pickups are much less fussy than the older Decca designs. I have never heard any hum or had any tracking problems. I have used them with SME Series V and M10 (like the 309) arms.

One thing I forgot to add. I bought all sorts of other MI designs when the Reference went away for the rebuild. The one that came the closest was the Nagaoka MP-500. Good enough that I bought a second TT and a couple of spare styli for it. If you can't get a Reference, this might be a substitute.

Another piece of advice (and opinion ;-): If you decide to look for a London Supergold (or if John has one left for sale), get it with the Decapod mount. The stock plastic bracket is a joke.

@dogberry I am in the process of acquiring a Jubilee. Could you give me a quick compare of the Jubilee to the Reference? Thanks!

@ledoux1238 I think you'll be happy with it, and I hope if it is any kind of questionable condition it has been to John Wright recently. He retires at the end of this month. It is very much like the classic Deccas in sound, but with a much heavier body as a way (I suspect) of improving tracking. I bought mine about 11 or 12 years ago and used it for two weeks. I was so impressed I bought the Reference at that point. The Jubilee didn't come out again until I sent the Reference in for a rebuild. It was able to beat all the competition I threw at it on my odyssey to find out if there is a moving iron cartridge I can live with after the Deccadämmerung (Grado Statement 3, Soundsmith Sussurro MkII, Nagaoka MP-500). I also hold in higher regard than my older LOMC carts, like the Kontrapunkt C and Benz Ruby 3. It will make you tap your toes as it is lively and detailed. The Reference takes that even further with John's own new design for the cartridge that owes only the basic theory to the original Deccas. If I'd never heard the Reference I'd regard the Jubilee as the Holy Grail, but having heard it the Jubilee is inevitably lessened in my mind. So I guess the best advice is to enjoy it and never let yourself hear the Reference!