Decca London Cartridge?

The Decca cartridges are still available, and they have been improved to track at about 1.8 grams. They still use the "Decca Principle" of using no cantilever and have a very revealing sound. Some people consider these cartridges to be a little "too forward", but there is no doubt that they have a very unique sound that is highly regarded by some audiophiles. For the cost of a VDH retip, you could buy one of the newer models brand new. If you want the top of the line Jublilee, then you'll have to pay more.

My Decca London was perhaps the twin of yours, and made about the same time. Blue case or grey? The latter was the Export model, selected for response from the regular run. Very different technology, quite interesting: no cantilever, stylus assembly kept under tension by a string, conical stylus... ) I ran mine in a Decca International arm, a damped unipivot. Since the cartridge has no internal damping, the arm has to supply it. Very lively and dynamic sound, tracking not great but OK for most cuts. IMO worth retipping if the price is right, but I doubt that I would use it in my main system (LP12 Lingo, rewired RB300, Cardas Heart, Klyne SK-5A) today.

It may interest you that the very earliest Decca stereo pickups (long before 1973) had Horizontal and Vertical groove modulation outputs (Left + Right and Left - Right), and required a mixing network to come up with the Left and Right signals of the 45 degree stereo LP format. In spite of this inconvenience, the pickups were regarded as something special.

I heard one of these many years ago and recall being very impressed. I understand that one can get them re-tipped by Garrot (sic) Brothers.

Hi guys - I have been a Deccahead since they first released the Mark I (1958!) Never had any tracking problems (but always used their arms) managed quarter gram tracking on flat non warped test disc once with the SC4E cartridge issued early 1970's (bass tracks from Shure obstacle course I remember?) This latter was high compliance and discontinued. Theory with NO DAMPING in stylus assembly needs only 15 C units for 1.5g VTF. Current models ( 3 are still available) and new design on way I hear, all have around 15 compliance unit armature design but vary in internal damping and stylus profile.
Frequency response up to 30kHz and above. Original design started life for a multiplex stereo where the 30KHz carrier was switched for each channel (as for FM stereo) Discontinued when they realised Alan Blumlein (EMI)had patented two groove wall method back in the 1930's and everyone else was going this way.

Is it worth using? I wouldn't use anything else - but it must have a damped arm and unipivots preferred (less reflections back down arm tubing). I believe all "mistracking" comments due to using in undamped arms - a fault of the combination not of the cartridge design which clearly states its need for damping. If you want holographic stereo images and mind blowing music please try this cartridge. I was once told it was "too theatrical" - therefore not to everyone's tastes.