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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
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Johnnantais, I have a Jubilee on the way because of you and others reminding me of the Deccas. There is an English firm that has new wiring for the Decca International. I had forgotten the crappy headshell.

Try a Garrard tt!
topoxforddoc's avatar
topoxforddoc
353 posts
 
Johnnantais
get your Decca rebuilt by Garrot Brothers. I have an original Garrott Bros Decca and it is much better tha the standard. Following the Brothers' tragic death in the 80s, the tooling was retained and is now used by their surviving partner.
The Garrott rebuild included checking and adjusting the cantilever suspension and other important mechanical matters as well as a retip. If you need details, you can get a price from GT Audio in the UK.
johnnantais OP
621 posts
 
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. In fact, I did try the Decca on an idler-wheel drive, though not a Garrard, (instead a Lenco L75, an overlooked engineering marvel which just needs the Garrard treatment of heavier plinth & etc. to boogie) and the dynamics were too much! I mean really! I thought my tweeters were going to vaporize from the PLUCKED guitar strings! And I will have my Decca rebuilt, thanks, Topox, though it still sounds good, must experiment. The fluid damping made a HUGE difference to the performance of the arm, and there are all sorts of friction-fit connections in the arm which I've already glued with glass-epoxy. The re-wiring is almost done, as I use my own recipe here. I'll be testing it tonight to see how the arm is with the mods. It's difficult work because of the very powerful magnets in the main bearing housing, which makes a Platine Verdier-like magnetic cushion for the unipivot to rest on: probably why the thing sounds so good even with the crappy wiring and friction-fits. I didn't have the heart to replace the headshell, because of the perfect geometry I can achieve in my Lenco, and because with a Decca who knows? I mean, the bracket is friction-fit plastic, isn't it? And there's that cool bubble-level, a very good idea with a unipivot, non? And I hope the Jubilee makes you happy, Tbg, I've never heard a Jubilee so I hope you post a thorough review of it here. I may follow in your footsteps! Vive la Decca!
jphii
485 posts
 
John,

Thanks for the tonearm tip. I talked to Herman today. He said I am the last person they will let buy more than 1.

I owe ya!!!

Joe
johnnantais OP
621 posts
 
You're welcome, Joe. Out of curiosity, how many did you order? I've been working on mine all night tonight, and while incredibly cheesy, it's also brilliant! I mean the tonearm and unipivot floats on a magnetic cushion ferchrissakes! There's a bubble-level in the headshell! The azimuth is adjustable by micrometer at the back of the tonearm! The antiskating is magnetic! And I've got to say it again: I don't think I've ever heard better Prat! On the other hand all that plastic, all those friction-fits (with little screws) and that crap wiring! But even plain-jane this thing makes MUSIC, so much so, I wonder why I went to all the effort of modding it. And I've never heard my Platinum sound better! I hope I didn't ruin it, as sometimes these things are better left alone. Good thing I ordered two. You'll be hearing a report in both threads!
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