The DECCA Maroon

[Wakefield Turntables]

After years of debate I finally put my hand in pocket and bought a DECCA maroon. I knew what I was getting into and had already psyched myself up for the bill to get the thing upto date. So, thanks to Charlie of the Forum and some goading from a few other members the cartridge went off to John Wright and with my wallet being £312 lighter I began my DECCA journey. The DECCA was completely over hauled and a contact line diamond plonked in for good measure. Things didn't start off well due the tonearm being used, this time it's a SME 3012, not ideal but still better than nothing. It was with some worry that I set the cartridge up I've heard more horror stories than follow-up's to nightmare in Elm street. These horror stories turned out to be complete fallacy. Setup took five minutes and with no hum to hear and the tracking force at 2g and tonearm parallel I decided to make some music. I did a little thinking around some of the limitations of the 3012 v's a Unipivot in that I dug out a semi decent magnesium head shell to try and sink some of the energy thrown off by the DECCA cart I also decided to use high purity OFC Cu cart leads. Know time to make a few observations.

I've only listened to about 3 hours worth of music and the first thing I notice is how vivid this thing is compared to my Ortofon Meister SPU which in itself for a SPU is bright. I quickly concluded the DECCA might be the better cartridge on the 301/SME 3012 setup for fast propulsive music. The DECCA has given nothing away to my Ortofon Cadenza Black/ SME V combo which I traditionally use for listening to heavy metal/rock music and certainly listening to Iron Maiden's Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner I heard a great clarity to Bruce Dickinsons vocals and insight into the depth of the soundstage. There is a small section where the song breaks into a sea storm with thunder in the background, have to say it's the best I've heard and that's on an old pair of bangers like the massive Tannoy's I own and a valve system!!! Vocals seem to be a strength with this Cartridge. I did manage to get some Jazz in last night and was very pleasently surprised with some of the female Jazz vocals that heard on the Cal Tjader Live Session's album, I could hear people squeeking around on their and even conversations in the audience. Now listening to Rob Halford singer "Ripper" from the Sad Wings of Destiny Album, vocals are dead centre soundstage, clear articulate, vivid, WOW!

More later....

[Ali Tait]

Must get mine fettled, seems like it's worth doing.

[walpurgis]

It's true that Deccas are excellent on vocals Andy. Also, have you noticed how fast and tight bass is too? They certainly 'put everything in place' as it were, you can pinpoint singers and instruments.

I've owned quite a few Deccas and the only MC that gives a similarly fast and dynamic, but maybe more refined presentation that I've come across is the ZYX R100 H2. A very fine cartridge. If you like the Decca sound, keep an eye open for a C4E or 4RC. To me they are the most powerful and vibrant sounding Deccas. A good match to the 12" SME too.

[mikeyb]

Total outlay ( if you don't me me asking ) ?

:)

[topoxforddoc]

Total outlay ( if you don't me me asking ) ?

:)


Less than a new Maroon :)

[topoxforddoc]

Andrew,

I'm delighted to hear that my trusty old Maroon is now revived and giving joy. Sounds like you've been bitten by the Decca bug well and truly

Charlie

[topoxforddoc]

If you like the Decca sound, keep an eye open for a C4E or 4RC. To me they are the most powerful and vibrant sounding Deccas.


It took me 3 years to find my C4E. Good luck!

[mikeyb]

Less than a new Maroon :)

:D

[Jimbo]

Fantastic result Andrew, and great to hear the Decca has hit the spot. They do some remarkable things. Look forward to hearing more from your listening sessions.

[walpurgis]

It took me 3 years to find my C4E. Good luck!

I have two Mk.III ellipticals, that sound more or less the same. The only difference in spec if I recall is slightly lower vertical compliance.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Must get mine fettled, seems like it's worth doing.

Yep I think its a no-brainer.


It's true that Deccas are excellent on vocals Andy. Also, have you noticed how fast and tight bass is too? They certainly 'put everything in place' as it were, you can pinpoint singers and instruments.


I've owned quite a few Deccas and the only MC that gives a similarly fast and dynamic, but maybe more refined presentation that I've come across is the ZYX R100 H2. A very fine cartridge. If you like the Decca sound, keep an eye open for a C4E or 4RC. To me they are the most powerful and vibrant sounding Deccas. A good match to the 12" SME too.

Yep I did notice that bass was very impressive when compared to my usual 1210 reference. I would also agree that it certainly places things with great definition in the sound stage. I have a DECCA adapter for the 3012.




Total outlay ( if you don't me me asking ) ?

:)

<£600.


Andrew,

I'm delighted to hear that my trusty old Maroon is now revived and giving joy. Sounds like you've been bitten by the Decca bug well and truly

Charlie

Yep! I'm already thinking about looking up the ladder, maybe a London Reference in a year or two.

[walpurgis]

I have a DECCA adapter for the 3012

Ah. Wise chap. I was looking for one a while back, but I've decided to have a bash at making one. I may try and incorporate overhang adjustment.

[mikeyb]

Under £600, that sounds a good investment, you've now got me thinking for my potential spare cart lol

[Wakefield Turntables]

This cart has been a BIG GAME CHANGER!!!

Its been one of those hifi shocks that you only get once every so often. You may listen to hundred very similar cables and then one smacks one in the face. You may listen to numerous tonearms and then you find the one. This little cartridge has been a revelation. It's not like any MM or MC I've heard (yes it's a MI) and it sounds like cartridges which would easily cost you £2K and beyond. It's got me seriously considering the whole MC + expensive phonostage or SPU+SUT combinations that I have sitting at my disposal. This cart just about does most of what these combinations have to offer but with only the need of a decent tonearm cable being plugged into my croft MM stage. I've long respected the MM stage on the croft preamps and this DECCA has shown just what it can do, the Ortofon SPU + Paradise work extremely well but I have a feeling that the DECCA will be sitting on the SME 3012 more than the SPU. The paradise phonostage is probably the best ever phonostage that I have heard at transcribing fine microdetail from vinyl, I would have to say that the DECCA in many respects puts the paradise to shame. The DECCA is perhaps not the cartridge that you'd want to listen to when you've done 12 hours worth of high level concentration consultancy work (which I frequently do), the SPU takes that mantle and I don't think I'd enjoy my single malt with the DECCA it's a little to vivid and cerebral, the SPU is a little lazy in comparison and maybe has a warmer sonic texture. The DECCA really does microdetail, it excels at vocals and I would even say that note timbre is top notch. My only question is that if a DECCA maroon is this good, how good are the others further up the DECCA ladder. I'm HOOKED! :fishing:

[Arkless Electronics]

So you think it's OK then? :D

I wonder how it would sound with my new preamp/phono stage, which is basically a MM version of the hybrid MC stage you tried?:eyebrows:

[walpurgis]

I take it you're playing through the Tannoys? Deccas and Tannoys have some magic together as long as the amplification is sympathetic.

By the way. I've found pure copper interconnects work best with Deccas. Anything with plating or pure silver can get a bit ruthless.

[Wakefield Turntables]

So you think it's OK then? :D

I wonder how it would sound with my new preamp/phono stage, which is basically a MM version of the hybrid MC stage you tried?:eyebrows:

Yeah I like it! How can you tell? Is that an offer of a loan of a new MM stage?


I take it you're playing through the Tannoys? Deccas and Tannoys have some magic together as long as the amplification is sympathetic.

By the way. I've found pure copper interconnects work best with Deccas. Anything with plating or pure silver can get a bit ruthless.

Yep going through the big 15 inchers! Erm, I'm afraid I have very little Cu in my valve setup it's all Ag.

[RobbieGong]

This cart has been a BIG GAME CHANGER!!!

Its been one of those hifi shocks that you only get once every so often. You may listen to hundred very similar cables and then one smacks one in the face. You may listen to numerous tonearms and then you find the one. This little cartridge has been a revelation. It's not like any MM or MC I've heard (yes it's a MI) and it sounds like cartridges which would easily cost you £2K and beyond. It's got me seriously considering the whole MC + expensive phonostage or SPU+SUT combinations that I have sitting at my disposal. This cart just about does most of what these combinations have to offer but with only the need of a decent tonearm cable being plugged into my croft MM stage. I've long respected the MM stage on the croft preamps and this DECCA has shown just what it can do, the Ortofon SPU + Paradise work extremely well but I have a feeling that the DECCA will be sitting on the SME 3012 more than the SPU. The paradise phonostage is probably the best ever phonostage that I have heard at transcribing fine microdetail from vinyl, I would have to say that the DECCA in many respects puts the paradise to shame. The DECCA is perhaps not the cartridge that you'd want to listen to when you've done 12 hours worth of high level concentration consultancy work (which I frequently do), the SPU takes that mantle and I don't think I'd enjoy my single malt with the DECCA it's a little to vivid and cerebral, the SPU is a little lazy in comparison and maybe has a warmer sonic texture. The DECCA really does microdetail, it excels at vocals and I would even say that note timbre is top notch. My only question is that if a DECCA maroon is this good, how good are the others further up the DECCA ladder. I'm HOOKED! :fishing:

Hey Andy, I salute the honesty of this review. It sounds like a very interesting cart as expressed by others regarding Deccas. They sound like a 'unique' sounding cart that suits those who who like to have a series / selection of carts for different reasons, moods and strenths, different flavours to sample lets say. I'm not one of those guys, favouring the more neutrally balanced, accurate flavour of the Ortofons I've had / have and which I can listen too endlessly without fatigue, an extremely important factor for me.
That said I can tell that the Decca flavour carries a certain wow factor that is really thrilling, I sensed that with Jimbos musings on the Decca too. Excellently expressed Andy and glad you're enjoying what it does. :)

[brian2957]

Yup , you and James should become part time Decca cartridge salesmen Andy :D Nice write-up BTW :)

[walpurgis]

Erm, I'm afraid I have very little Cu in my valve setup it's all Ag.

If you should be interested. Take a look at the Audio Note copper cables. By the way, you will see some eye watering prices in their cable list! :lol:

[Wakefield Turntables]

If you should be interested. Take a look at the Audio Note copper cables. By the way, you will see some eye watering prices in their cable list! :lol:

No thanks I refuse to pay stupid prices like that anymore. ;)

[Arkless Electronics]

Yeah I like it! How can you tell? Is that an offer of a loan of a new MM stage?



Yep going through the big 15 inchers! Erm, I'm afraid I have very little Cu in my valve setup it's all Ag.

As soon as it's ready yes. The first one for demo will be the full function pre as then people can try just the phono stage, or just the line stage etc with the same unit. Got my casework from Italy after 4 days:D

[Wakefield Turntables]

. Got my casework from Italy after 4 days:D

Lesson learned.

[Jimbo]

If you should be interested. Take a look at the Audio Note copper cables. By the way, you will see some eye watering prices in their cable list! :lol:

Most of mine is Ag too Geoff but my system needs it as my speakers do not have the brightest top end out there unlike the SP1 which has a super tweeter. The Ag cables allow that extra bit of pizzazz which gives my system synergy, however i would certainly like to try a copper cable here and there.

[marec]

I'm so envious of your evident set-up skills! Its wonderful that you managed such a positive experience so quickly... I'm having to relearn everything as I go (For instance: It took me 3 days to remember to check that the turntable was level!:lol:)
I think mine is now reaching a passable standard of sound, comparing it with my old Linn, but I wouldn't have identified stereo imagery as one of it's keynote characteristics...:) Nor great bass either, but I haven't played more than 2 LPs on it yet...

I do identify with the insistence on grabbing your attention by the throat and giving it a good shake though.:) Personally, I'm already getting a little tired of it, something I remember from my first time around with it. I guess they suit some people more than others...

An opportunity to hear one properly on song might be instructive though...

[topoxforddoc]

I'm so envious of your evident set-up skills! Its wonderful that you managed such a positive experience so quickly... I'm having to relearn everything as I go (For instance: It took me 3 days to remember to check that the turntable was level!:lol:)

An opportunity to hear one properly on song might be instructive though...

Mark,

A Decca is no more difficult to set up than any other MM or MC cartridge. However, with better and more revealing cartridges, getting it "just right" takes some patience and skill. With a standard set up routine, you can get to 95% quite quickly. After mounting the cartridge

Check turntable is level
Check spindle to pivot distance on your tonearm is correct

!) Set VTF with accurate scales
2) Check alignment with protractor - alter cartridge position as necessary - recheck VTF with scales
3) Alter/check VTA - tonearm horizontal to record is a sensible start
4) Reset VTF with scales after altering VTA
5) Check azimuth - simple way is using a mirror
6) Set bias/antiskate (getting this right is really another section if you're a perfectionist)

Play record

If the tonal balance is incorrect (e.g. light bass & shrill treble or heavy bass and dull treble) - change VTA, recheck VTF and try again

[walpurgis]

A Decca is no more difficult to set up than any other MM or MC cartridge

Correct.

[Jimbo]

The Decca cartridge only performs poorly if:

1. It is set up incorrectly.
2. There is something wrong with the cartridge (easily remedied with a trip to JW)
3. Incompatible tone arm.

However this applies to all cartridges so there is nothing really anything special or different with a Decca compared to any other cartridge, apart from the sound!:)

[Wakefield Turntables]

Hey Andy, I salute the honesty of this review. It sounds like a very interesting cart as expressed by others regarding Deccas. They sound like a 'unique' sounding cart that suits those who who like to have a series / selection of carts for different reasons, moods and strenths, different flavours to sample lets say. I'm not one of those guys, favouring the more neutrally balanced, accurate flavour of the Ortofons I've had / have and which I can listen too endlessly without fatigue, an extremely important factor for me.
That said I can tell that the Decca flavour carries a certain wow factor that is really thrilling, I sensed that with Jimbos musings on the Decca too. Excellently expressed Andy and glad you're enjoying what it does. :)

Only just noticed this, thanks Rob.:)