If You Could Only Keep Just One Cart You've Already Heard In Your System ..........

[RobbieGong]

Which would it be ??

[Barry]

EMT - either the XSD15 as used in an arm with an Ortofon/SME bayonet fitting, or the TSD15 as used in the EMT 929 arm.

The Ortofon SPU and SL15E would be close runners up.

[The Barbarian]

Shure 'M95HE'. Thats cos it suits the amps i used like they were made for each other.. The only scary thing is i can't locate a NOS Styli..

[Gordon Steadman]

Technics EPC-U205 (with Jico stylus when we have some spare dosh - ordinary aftermarket one in there at the mo)

[Gordon Steadman]

Shure 'M95HE'. Thats cos it suits the amps i used like they were made for each other.. The only scary thing is i can't locate a NOS Styli..

I bet these are just as good if not better
http://stylus.export-japan.com/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=shure+m95he&x=0&y=0

[The Barbarian]

I bet these are just as good if not better
http://stylus.export-japan.com/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=shure+m95he&x=0&y=0

ouch! gonna have to do summert tho. i have an Ed Saunders as a spare but im gonna have to try a Jico

[Marco]

My recently acquired (56-year old) vintage Ortofon SPU-G/T, without a shadow of a doubt - it’s one of the most stunning sounding cartridges I’ve ever heard! :eek: :)

Marco.

[struth]

Like my Denon 160 tbh but would like to try this Audio Technica ATN95E ATN3400 Type JICO Shibata Stylus in my at95...have heard they are darned good.

[Mike g]

Cartridge Man Music Maker III - was gutted when I knackered the cantilever

[walpurgis]

Tough choice. Decca 4RC that I'd like to get my hands on again. Technics EPC-305MC ditto. But I'd keep the current ZYX R100 Yatra really.

[daytona600]

Cartridge Man Music Maker III - was gutted when I knackered the cantilever

know what you mean mike last week same thing happened to mine music maker LE the really expensive one

If money no object Ortofon Anna !!!

[paskinn]

Koetsu 80th Anniversary Onyx cartridge....(sadly, I didn't own it). Or late 80s Sugano Rosewood Signature. Coloured, but you just didn't care two hoots.....
Sonus Blue moving magnet, ultra high compliance.

Well, that's three; but who's counting. So add the Technics 205.
Why are all the best sounding cartridges made before the turn of the century ? Very odd, but I think it might be true.

[Idlewithnodrive]

My AN IQ2.

Matches extremely well with my arm / TT and phono stage. Just does everything right for me and pretty reasonably priced as carts go.

[Marco]

Or late 80s Sugano Rosewood Signature. Coloured, but you just didn't care two hoots.....


Thing is, ‘coloured’ in what way? Because so much other kit (especially stuff made today), purporting to be ‘accurate’, sounds bland and sterile, or because it is genuinely coloured - i.e. it acts as a form of glorified tone control?

My experience is that a lot of these devices (and I’ve heard and owned a few Koetsus in the past), made by Japanese artisans, get it right, musically where it matters, more than they get it wrong when it comes to ticking prosaic ‘hi-fi boxes'………

Marco.

[Ali Tait]

Been looking at an EPC305. Anyone heard one?

[Clive]

I love my Ortofon 2M Mono SE. Some of it is the cartridge and some of it is the mono vinyl it plays. It's hard to separate the two aspects. I fully expect higher end mono cartridges such as SPU monos will be even better.

[Oldpinkman]

Interesting. I read the thread title and thought "I only ever want one cartridge in my system". I want the one that works, not a collection for different flavours.

So why have I got 4 on the shelf and one in the deck??? Time for fleabay I feel!!

I would love to hear a stock U205 again (actually I think AK claims a good un, I might try to compare with). The Jico stylus, while being more detailed, and quieter than the stock, just lacks that je ne sais quoi of naturalness. Maybe.
It's moving coil brother (310MC) is a real beauty too and certainly a giant-killer at its original price

But I think this Dynavector wipes the floor with 'em. It certainly works really well in my system where perhaps both the arm and turntable are a bit "light" "delicate" "airy" and a bit of good old fashioned clean bass grunt doesn't go amiss.

So Dynavector xx2ii for me

[walpurgis]

Been looking at an EPC305. Anyone heard one?

See my earlier post. I had one as my main cartridge for years. They are superb. It was far better than the Denon DL-103R I was also running at the time. Only sold the Technics when the ZYX R50 surpassed it.

[Sillver79]

This one AT Signet TK7e

[Beavis]

My Ortofon SPU GM MarkII.....yummy!

[Tarzan]

Denon DL103 for me.........

[CageyH]

Another vote for the AT95.
I couldn't really care if it got broken, as it would be cheap to fix and stylus upgrades are readily available.

[belloire]

AT ART1

scares me that i can't get another :(

[Jason P]

Of the ones I've owned, my AT33PTG. Does very little wrong IMHO...

[MCRU]

North West Analogue DH1

http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt309/themainsman/ADS/IMAG1080_zpsbpj88ngy.jpg

[freefallrob]

The Rega Exact, I'm really taken with it.

[hifi_dave]

http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t406/hifi_dave/007.jpg



I've got vintage cartridges coming out of my lugholes but the only one I won't sell is the first and original Koetsu imported into the UK. That was when it was known as simply The Koetsu. Lovingly created and assembled by Sugano, himself. A beautiful thing but I haven't got a handy pic, so I've inserted a few Deccas instead..:rolleyes:

[RobbieGong]

So far, easily my 2M Black

[paskinn]

http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t406/hifi_dave/007.jpg



I've got vintage cartridges coming out of my lugholes but the only one I won't sell is the first and original Koetsu imported into the UK. That was when it was known as simply The Koetsu. Lovingly created and assembled by Sugano, himself. A beautiful thing but I haven't got a handy pic, so I've inserted a few Deccas instead..:rolleyes:

Go on ......give us a picture of the Koetsu. What a wonderful bit of audio history. You are a lucky man, Sugano was touched with genius, no modern cartridge I know of gets within a mile of his creations. They were just so very, very special.

[Gazjam]

My Dynavector XX2 Mk2
Took a while to bed in, sounded pants at various points along the way but now that it has?

Oh boy...

[NRG]

Denon DL103 for me.........

LOL http://theartofsound.net/forum/images/icons/icon14.png

[Dingdong]

My freshly rebuilt Koetsu Rosewood Sig. Just lovely. Eye-wateringly expensive, but lovely.

[petrat]

Ortofon SPU Spirit ... which is supposed to be a recreation of the earlier Meister GM. It has a solidity or 'weight' of presentation that makes me forget the hifi completely. Someone once told me that a system is right for you when you find yourself singing along all the time :band:

[Marco]

Ortofon SPU Spirit ... which is supposed to be a recreation of the earlier Meister GM. It has a solidity or 'weight' of presentation that makes me forget the hifi completely.

I’m with you there, Peter. That’s *exactly* what my vintage SPU-G/T does :)

Marco.

[cjm123]

Hi guys,

Been through quite a few carts in my time but for me it has to be the little Denon DL-110. It may not be entirely neutral but boy it has life, dynamics, timing, tracks brilliantly, produces a 3D holographic soundstage and is exquisitely made, beautiful to behold and incredible value for the money! What is not to like?


Chris

[Patrick Dixon]

Decca SC4E

Accept no substitute.

[walpurgis]

Decca SC4E

Accept no substitute.

You could be right. I've not tried one, but I had a 4RC and wish I still had it. there's something about the Mk.IV Deccas.

[topoxforddoc]

Another vote for a FFSS Mk IV Decca - C4E in my case. Took me ages to find one. A JW rebuild and it's better than my Garrott Brothers Decca Gold (not that I would part with that either - as I've had it since new and it's 35 years old now).

[Marco]

Decca SC4E

Accept no substitute.

I like the look of this one in this headshell [anyone know what the tonearm is on the TD-124?]:


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/537/mloQtT.jpg


Must add one to my cartridge collection soon! :)

Marco.

[Barry]

I like the look of this one in this headshell [anyone know what the tonearm is on the TD-124?]:


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/537/mloQtT.jpg


Must add one to my cartridge collection soon! :)

Marco.

Looks like a Thorens TP-14 arm, but the headshell is different and seems to fit the Decca SC4E so well I suspect it's a custom job.

[Marco]

Yeah, looks great, Barry. I much prefer it when cartridges are snugly held inside headshells, with all the wires hidden inside, so all one sees is the ‘business end’, as it were. Just looks right to me :) It would’ve been even better had the mounting screws been hidden too, with the cartridge attaching to the headshell from the underneath.

This question is to you, or anyone else familiar with Deccas: how does the sound of an SC4E differ/compare with that of, say, a Gold or Blue? I like a sound that is fast, punchy and detailed, but above all ‘big-boned’, with plenty of ‘authority', weight, scale and rhythmic impact. It’s gotta have ‘balls’, man, ‘cos I hate weedy sounding cartridges! :exactly:

Which would be the best Decca cartridge (preferably vintage, as with this stuff experience tells me the older designs are best) to deliver those traits?

Marco.

[Jimbo]

I had a Decca blue which was certainly fast, dynamic and detailed with a spine tingling live sound.

I used it with a Tom Fletcher arm on a Garrard 301 but it was sometimes a little "unruly" and went a bit over the top. Built like a biscuit tin and was a bit tricky to mount solidly in the headshell hence secured with a lump of blue tack on top which damped it down a bit:lol: This was 30 years ago and the recommendation to purchase the Decca Blue, and Garrard 301 was from a certain Mr Croft himself who frequented a local hifi dealership in Wolverhampton.

Seriously although build quality was not the best it is still the one cartridge that haunts me till today hence I am soon to hopefully get my hands on a Decca Grey which as you know is the export version of the Blue. However this Grey is a bit special and has a Paratrace tip and Parmeko coils. It has been rebuilt and is in excellent condition.

Occasionally some cartridges can 'Interest' me but nothing has ever made me sit up and shout @*&% like a DECCA.

Just one final word. Up until 2 years ago I listened exclusively to CD which must have been for the best part of 28 years. I then went to visit a mate to buy my Croft amps and asked during the listening session if he could pop a Decca cartridge on his deck and play some vinyl for old times sake.

I shook my head in disbelief and shouted &@%%. From that day I completely stopped playing CD bought my VPI TT and am totally committed to vinyl.

For me the difference is night and day.:)

[walpurgis]

Occasionally some cartridges can 'Interest' me but nothing has ever made me sit up and shout @*&% like a DECCA.

I was using Deccas (and a Technics EPC-305MC) until I bought a ZYX MC.

The ZYX R100 H2 offers what Deccas do in a refined and controlled manner. It's quite spectacular and seems totally uncoloured. The soundstage and depth are huge.

[Marco]

I see that no-one’s really answered my question… Do any Deccas have ‘balls’ and sound as I described earlier - yes or no?

I’d also like to know how an SC4E compares with other Deccas in that respect. It looks totally different from other Deccas, so does it sound different, and how does it differ in construction, stylus type used, frequency response, tonal characteristics, etc, compared with Blues, Golds and/or anything from the current range?

Essentially, is it based on the same or different design principles?

Cheers! :)

Marco.

[rossman]

If I could have one cartridge that I have previously owned it would be a Denon DL 103S. I sold it for a song years ago, before I realised that I could have had it retipped.

[jandl100]

I don't think I have any single top cart - I've owned a lot of mid-price carts and particularly enjoyed these ... Linn Asak (VdH tipped), Zu/Denon DL-103, Dynavector 10X5, Ortofon MC25FL, GAS 2-MF would probably be my top picks, all but the GAS being mc.

I reckon I could happily live with any and all of them. :)

Curiously I think I would favour the Dynavector 10X5 over the more exotic low outputs Dynas I have had (23RS, 17D2 &3, XX1L). :scratch:
... and imho you do need to re-body the Denon 103 in a more substantial casing to get the best out of it. The Zu does that well.

[Jimbo]

I see that no-one’s really answered my question… Do any Deccas have ‘balls’ and sound as I described earlier - yes or no?

I’d also like to know how an SC4E compares with other Deccas in that respect. It looks totally different from other Deccas, so does it sound different, and how does it differ in construction, stylus type used, frequency response, tonal characteristics, etc, compared with Blues, Golds and/or anything from the current range?

Essentially, is it based on the same or different design principles?

Cheers! :)


I have never heard the SC4E Decca so cannot tell you how it compares with the Blue, maroon, grey or gold but it is based on the same moving iron principles. As the Decca cartridges evolved they tracked better and controlled some of the vibration of the stylus assembly in the body of the cartridge, this was achieved by improving the construction mainly of the cartridge body hence the Decca London ~gold.

The Deccas I have owned and heard do have 'balls' and are powerful and dynamic but in absolute bass terms I found them a bit light weight. The SC4E from what I can glean did have similar characterics.

As far as tonal characterics are concerned they are not what I call rich and deep but rather light and emphasise the mid top end where they excel in conveying the speed and dynamics of the recording.

I found this link which may be of help re SC4E:):scratch:

http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=545.15

Certainly if you do go down the Decca route any cartridge is best checking out/servicing by John Wright in Bridgnorth.

[Jimbo]

I was using Deccas (and a Technics EPC-305MC) until I bought a ZYX MC.

The ZYX R100 H2 offers what Deccas do in a refined and controlled manner. It's quite spectacular and seems totally uncoloured. The soundstage and depth are huge.

Must have a look at this cartridge Geoff as my biggest frustration with the Deccas was their uncontrolled behaviour, they could be very naughty indeed:lol: hence the heaven and hell experience running one!

[Patrick Dixon]

I see that no-one’s really answered my question… Do any Deccas have ‘balls’ and sound as I described earlier - yes or no?

I’d also like to know how an SC4E compares with other Deccas in that respect. It looks totally different from other Deccas, so does it sound different, and how does it differ in construction, stylus type used, frequency response, tonal characteristics, etc, compared with Blues, Golds and/or anything from the current range?

Essentially, is it based on the same or different design principles?


As already mentioned they are all based on the same design principles but magnets, stylus profiles, coils differ. The SC4E is supposed to be a selected version of the C4E but whether that matters once it has been to John Wright to rebuild (which IMO they all should), I don't know.

The SC4E is the conventional mount version of an SH4E which looks the same as the Mk1 - 3 Decca heads. The later Deccas are all conventional mount but with cheaper bodies.

I have an SC4E and also a C4E and an SH4E (the 'head' version) as backup. The latter two need re-building. I have just given a (originally) blue away to a friend who was captivated by the Decca sound after hearing mine. It had been completely rebuilt by John Wright with a gold stylus profile, and then I fitted it in a lovely wood body that I bought from someone on the Lenco forum. To my ears there was then very little difference between it and the SC4E.

I don't think any Decca 'has balls' - they just reproduce what's on the record. So if the recording 'has balls' then so does the sound. If you want to add mid-range colouration, then use a valve phono or pre ;-)

(The SC4E is definitely not as light-weight as the AT33PTG.)

I've played my system to people and how we laughed that neither Deccas nor air-bearing arms 'do' bass (it's in a Trans-Fi terminator).

What Deccas do without question is incredible dynamics.

They do need careful setup and if the record is damaged or dirty they'll play the damage and dirt along with the music. They have very little in the way of suspension and IMO they like additional mass, so the the Bakelite-bodied Mk4s work better than the flimsy metal-bodied Mk5s etc.

I haven't owned lots of other cartridges, but the ones I have and liked, but which I wouldn't swap the Decca for include:

Entre 1
AT-OC3 (OK, I didn't like this one much)
Linn Troika
AT33PTG
Denon DL103
EMT TSD15

[Marco]

Hi Patrick,

Thanks for your informative response, the details of which have been noted, particularly about the SC4E. It’s certainly a cartridge that would interest me in future :) Just to cover a few points….


I don't think any Decca 'has balls' - they just reproduce what's on the record. So if the recording 'has balls' then so does the sound. If you want to add mid-range colouration, then use a valve phono or pre ;-)


Ha - very good!

What I meant was if it had the ‘balls' to deliver the full extent of the ‘balls' present on the recording. Some cartridges don’t, and merely portray a ‘watered down’ anaemic version of such. My pet hate is ‘toppy', lightweight sounding cartridges - ‘all fur and no knickers’, as it were. I like some meat on the bone! ;)

Out of interest, what’s your view of the EMT TSD-15, not necessarily in comparison with the Decca, but in general? I’m just about to have a serious listen to an XSD-15, with the view of adding one to my cartridge collection, if I like it.

Marco.

[Marco]

Hi Jim,


The Deccas I have owned and heard do have 'balls' and are powerful and dynamic but in absolute bass terms I found them a bit light weight. The SC4E from what I can glean did have similar characterics.

As far as tonal characterics are concerned they are not what I call rich and deep but rather light and emphasise the mid top end where they excel in conveying the speed and dynamics of the recording.


Interesting… I guess it’s ultimately something I’m going to have to judge for myself, when the occasion arises, and probably end up taking a punt on. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not looking for a bass-heavy cartridge (far from it), but simply one that underpins music with suitable gravitas and authority, when the music demands.

The latter is something I find lacking in many modern MC cartridges, which seem to major on a kind of, sweet, ‘ethereal’, uber-detailed kind of presentation, but lacking in ‘cohonas’, if you get me!

The former is one of the things I love about SPUs, the good ones, which themselves are no slouches either in the areas where you describe Deccas excel, and I couldn’t live without something that packs some low-end wallop, when it exists on the recording.


I found this link which may be of help re SC4E:):scratch:

http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=545.15

Certainly if you do go down the Decca route any cartridge is best checking out/servicing by John Wright in Bridgnorth.

Cheers - I’ll check that out :)

Marco.

[petrat]

Cheers - I’ll check that out :)

Marco.

153 pages :eek:

[Marco]

Sometimes you have to ‘work for your dinner’! ;)

Marco.

[petrat]

Sometimes you have to ‘work for your dinner’! ;)

Marco.

Roll on retirement :)

[Barry]

Sometimes you have to ‘work for your dinner’! ;)

Marco.

That Lenco Heaven thread is the most comprehensive, interesting and informative set of posts I have read concerning Decca cartridges. Clearly there are a lot of Decca devotees out there (I'm one of them), some of whom are prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to get it right and optimise the performance.

There are several posts there with which I would not agree - but I think those posts demonstrate the shocking variability in quality and workmanship displayed by the early Deccas. If you get a bad one, it won't sound good at all and you will be very disappointed. It was not until the 'Super Gold' that efforts were made by Decca to ameliorate things. Until then Decca used to simply select those samples that performed better and were given an "S" prefix or reserved for export (the Decca 'Grey' or 'Export'). Even the Decca 'Maroon', which was a deliberate attempt by Decca to produce a Mk. V, taking care with the assembly, still had IMO unacceptable unit-to-unit variability. This, I believe, is why Deccas are such "Marmite" cartridges: they are not for the noviciate; they are not 'plug and play', but need time, patience and pampering to get right. But when you do, they are like no other cartridge for the sheer exhileration, excitement and sense of presence displayed.

Whilst I have already stated that if could only use one cartridge it would be one of my EMTs, I always have a Decca set up on a second deck as an alternative. Deccas are not perfect (though I haven't heard the London Reference), but using one to play vinyl is an exciting and dare I say it, fun experience. The last word in fidelity? - probably not, but a valid alternative nonetheless.

By the way, if you wade through the 153 pages of the Lenco heaven thread, you will see a couple of photos that you might have seen before. :D

[Patrick Dixon]

Out of interest, what’s your view of the EMT TSD-15, not necessarily in comparison with the Decca, but in general? I’m just about to have a serious listen to an XSD-15, with the view of adding one to my cartridge collection, if I like it.


I've only had it a short while and I bought it specifically to go with the EMT 927 and its original Ortofon arm. It sounds fine on it's own but comparing it to my Garrard 301 with the Decca, it's less dynamic and resolving but with a slightly fuller mid range. It's a bit like comparing Apples & Pears though since it's a different deck, arm and phono stage as well.

[pure sound]

Audio Note Io Limited (Japanese made)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh107/pure_sound/ltdclose.jpg

Uses an electromagnet rather than permanent magnet so requires an additional 1.2V DC supply.

[Barry]

Audio Note Io Limited (Japanese made)


Uses an electromagnet rather than permanent magnet so requires an additional 1.2V DC supply.

Presumably that requires an arm rewire, or do you use the existing 4 wires with a set of DC blocks at each end?

[Patrick Dixon]

The last word in fidelity? - probably not, but a valid alternative nonetheless.
I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that, but IMO a Decca is the closest I have heard to a live sound from vinyl in my system.

[pure sound]

Presumably that requires an arm rewire, or do you use the existing 4 wires with a set of DC blocks at each end?

An extra two wires (which either means a re-wire or they can be run along the outside of the tube).

I run it from a hefty Yuasa battery & a resistor to drop the voltage to the required amount. It draws half an amp.

Sounds lovely though. I've not heard anything better.

[Marco]

Hi Guy,

Nice to see you checking in! Love the pic of the Io - a cartridge that I’ve always rated highly :)

Btw, please use your new sub-forum ‘Pure Sound’, in the trade room, to advertise your products and services, and keep it up to date, as you’ve paid for the privilege.

Cheers! :cool:

Marco.

[The Black Adder]

Goldring G800 with NWA modded stylus - One of the best carts I've ever had.

[petrat]

Audio Note Io Limited (Japanese made)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh107/pure_sound/ltdclose.jpg

Uses an electromagnet rather than permanent magnet so requires an additional 1.2V DC supply.

I was transfixed by this very one at Scalford last year on a STST Motus direct drive turntable. Vinyl doesn't get any better IME.

[Marco]

By the way, if you wade through the 153 pages of the Lenco heaven thread, you will see a couple of photos that you might have seen before. :D

Ah, ones that you’ve made ‘famous’, eh? I shall have a look-see when I’m perusing the thread :eyebrows:

Marco.

[Marco]

I've only had it a short while and I bought it specifically to go with the EMT 927 and its original Ortofon arm.


Sounds like an interesting T/T (and just my kind of thing) - got any pics? :)


It sounds fine on it's own but comparing it to my Garrard 301 with the Decca, it's less dynamic and resolving but with a slightly fuller mid range. It's a bit like comparing Apples & Pears though since it's a different deck, arm and phono stage as well.

Ok, noted. I shall be strapping on Barry’s XSD-15 later, so will report on the results.

Marco.

[karma67]

Like my Denon 160 tbh but would like to try this Audio Technica ATN95E ATN3400 Type JICO Shibata Stylus in my at95...have heard they are darned good.

how does it compare to the dl-110?

[Barry]

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that, but IMO a Decca is the closest I have heard to a live sound from vinyl in my system.

I don't believe Deccas reproduce what is on the record in an entirely faithful manner. The Deccas suffer from errors of commission, they add to what is already in the groove, whereas in my opinion the EMT neither adds nor subtracts - it just reproduces what's on the record, no more, no less.

[struth]

how does it compare to the dl-110?

it tracks cleaner i would say and maybe a bit less surface noise too although i would say it is more susceptible to vibration...looks nicer too..
not a lot in it though

A bit more musical as well

[take5]

Well, I seem to be on a gradual climb up the cartridge ladder and have had 3 cartridges in the last 18 months that I could happily have as my "only one cartdidge".

1) CADENZA BLACK. Lovely. I really liked it.

I only sold the Black as I lucked onto ...

2) FIDELITY RESEACH FR702. Part of the "cultish " FR 7 series of cartridges.
It is a removeable headshell, with the cartridge built in as part of the headshell. As such, it can only be used with some arms. I used it with an FR 64fx. Really lovely and even better than the Cadenza Black.

I still have this cartridge but it has been ousted by my most recent purchase.

3) AUDIO NOTE I.O KONDO ( JAPAN) A fantastic wee beastie. It dates from the 80s but was retipped by Van Den Hul. It sounds fantastic.
(come and hear it at Scalford in room 238 )

I dont see myself going any further up this cartridge ladder. Thats it for me. :whistle:

[southall-1998]

I'm no turntable/vinyl expert here!

I'll always keep my Shure M3D & Rega Carbon MM cartridges.

S.

[Patrick Dixon]

The Deccas suffer from errors of commission, they add to what is already in the groove, whereas in my opinion the EMT neither adds nor subtracts - it just reproduces what's on the record, no more, no less.
You see I hear this completely the other way around. I doubt any cartridge neither adds nor subtracts, but surely any cartridge with a compliant suspension is going to miss information? The Deccas have virtually no suspension, and I think that's why they miss less.

However I've only ever heard Deccas in my system with the Terminator tonearm, and I suspect that unless the tonearm is capable of dissipating the energy a Decca transmits back into it, it is going to add something to the sound. I think that's why Deccas are often used with unipivots rather than with fixed bearing arms.

But then I don't really know.

[Patrick Dixon]

Sounds like an interesting T/T (and just my kind of thing) - got any pics? :)

It is interesting. There were some on the web but only the low quality google-cached versions remain.

[Barry]

You see I hear this completely the other way around. I doubt any cartridge neither adds nor subtracts, but surely any cartridge with a compliant suspension is going to miss information? The Deccas have virtually no suspension, and I think that's why they miss less.

However I've only ever heard Deccas in my system with the Terminator tonearm, and I suspect that unless the tonearm is capable of dissipating the energy a Decca transmits back into it, it is going to add something to the sound. I think that's why Deccas are often used with unipivots rather than with fixed bearing arms.

But then I don't really know.

I think the absence of a conventional cantilever is what makes Deccas sound the way they do. Modern Deccas have a (vertical) compliance that is similar to most MC cartridges.

I have only heard Deccas in either a Decca ffss (Super) Mk. II arm, or in an SME arm with damping. Since unipivot arms use pivot damping for stability, that is probably why they are recommended for use with Decca cartridges.

Agree that in having very little compliance, Deccas can produce a lot of excess energy which has to be dealt with. Decca dealt with this in a number of ways: early Deccas were used with Decca arms, whereby the excess energy was ducted and dissipated in the arm and in the mass of the arm board/turntable. Later Deccas used a compliant and lossy cartridge/headshell mounting to do the same.

I do feel Deccas add to the information extracted from the groove; IMO it is these additions that give Decca the 'life', energy and excitement that I, and others, find appealing but I don't believe is entirely natural. As I have said elsewhere, whilst I usually listen using an EMT or Ortofon SPU cartridge, I always have a Decca cartridge set up on a second deck for an alternative presentation.

Glad to hear you are enjoying your Decca in the Terminator tonearm. There are other members here who also use that combination to great success.