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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
 
Some further comments on the Jubilee. It is incredibly sensitive to VTA. You can easily cause the image to vanish. At this point I am not certain whether you can find a single best point that will work to all records, and the Schroeder does not allow for easy replication of VTA. Second the Jubilee is very sensitive to antiskating adjustment. Too much can easily result in mistracking on one side.

The recommendation is that the cartridge have no VTA nor any asmuth angle. I used a small bubble level to achieve this. I wish the Schroeder had the included bubble of the Decca International arm.
There is no question that no other cartridge can match the bass on this cartridge. And I should say nor can digital bass.
johnnantais OP
621 posts
 
Decca Gold cartridges rave review in this month's HiFi World magazine! He says he got perfect tracking from a modded Rega arm! They must have changed something (stylus profile?). Then again, perhaps it's time I try a similar combo again and see if this particular Decca Super Gold likes the Rega arm. You never know...
patrickamory
193 posts
 
I'm assuming the Decca wouldn't work in a Graham, Johnnantais?

Another question - the L75 - how difficult is it to mount in a new plinth? Also, how difficult is it to drill for a new tonearm?

Thanks
Patrick
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.
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