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marec
17-09-2016, 10:23
I recently searched high and low through hundreds of dusty boxes to find this:
http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/m4rkhodgson/P1000239_zpsczaytrle.jpg (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/m4rkhodgson/media/P1000239_zpsczaytrle.jpg.html)

Which I hadn't seen for the last 40 years or so... (Incidentally its a Gold...)
IIRC, this has few hours on it and the tip looks in good shape. I'd like to give it a spin, but my convenient (and cheap) options are limited. Before I go to loads of trouble installing this, do any of the resident experts think this might work in a Pro-Ject carbon arm?

Rgds
Mark
walpurgis
17-09-2016, 10:29
It will works, but you'd probably need to add a bit of mass at the headshell. It's well worth trying, as it's a fine sounding cartridge.
topoxforddoc
17-09-2016, 10:49
I have just looked up the Project 9CC Carbon tonearm (is that your model?). It has and effective mass of 8.5 g. Using the vinyl engine tonearm resonance calculator (The Decca has a mass of 6.7g plus 1g for fixings), this give a resonant frequency of 11-12 Hz.

Try the Decca in the Project with a small piece of blutak (say 2-3 g) between the top of the tin lid and the headshell undersurface. It's a great cartridge, but you will have to keep your records scrupulously clean (wet clean them). Otherwise the Decca will collect dust like a magnet.
marec
17-09-2016, 11:29
Thanks for the replies... I must say, I was rather hoping for a "Don't Bother"! I hate messing around with tonearms now...
Still, I suppose I'd better give it a try ... :)
The reference to the turntable resource was very helpful. Thank you...
marec
17-09-2016, 15:42
Just to extend the remit of this thread a little...
I'm proposing to change the cartridge on a project turntable. I haven't attempted anything like this for 35 years or more. Is there any advice you can offer please, short of removing the arm from the turntable? My concerns centre around the possibility of damaging the bearings, something my Linn dealer put the fear of God into me about, all those years ago..:lol:
marec
17-09-2016, 15:49
Also, I seem to recall that there has been some debate about using Decca cartridges with magnetic turntable platters. Is there any foundation to these concerns, or can I go ahead without problems?
Barry
17-09-2016, 21:25
Also, I seem to recall that there has been some debate about using Decca cartridges with magnetic turntable platters. Is there any foundation to these concerns, or can I go ahead without problems?

There were problems with using the older models (pre Mk.V) with ferrous platters, but I believe the re-designed magnetic circuit of the Mk. V and later versions ameliorated things.
Barry
17-09-2016, 21:28
Also, I seem to recall that there has been some debate about using Decca cartridges with magnetic turntable platters. Is there any foundation to these concerns, or can I go ahead without problems?

There were problems with using the older models (pre Mk.V) with ferrous platters, but I believe the re-designed magnetic circuit of the Mk. V and later versions ameliorated things.
marec
18-09-2016, 09:14
There were problems with using the older models (pre Mk.V) with ferrous platters, but I believe the re-designed magnetic circuit of the Mk. V and later versions ameliorated things.

Thanks for this... How do I tell whether mine is pre MkV or later? I guess I bought the cartridge sometime between 75 - 80...

Rgds
Mark
walpurgis
18-09-2016, 10:54
Yours is a Mk.V. The Mk.IV looks totally different and is bigger.
marec
18-09-2016, 11:04
Many, many thanks, (said he with relief!) :)