Nagaoka MP200 or refurb LDN Decca Maroon?

[littlest hobo]

I have a NAS Spacedeck with an early mentor arm, I purchased the arm from here many moons ago. My turntable has been on the back-burner for a few years but having finally eradicated the terrible hum, I’m loving listening to vinyl again.

The Grado gold cartridge is on its last legs (also purchased from here) and to be honest I fancied a change. From trawling the internet it looks like Nagaoka cartridges come highly recommended for the NAS. But before I go ahead, I also have an old LDN Decca Maroon cartridge (yet again purchased from here 🤣) sat in a drawer doing nothing. I’ve previously looked into getting it refurbished and the price is comparable to a new Nagaoka, so i’m hoping someone with more knowledge than me, which shouldn’t be difficult, can lend me some advice.

If it matters, I don’t have an audiophile system, but it works for me.

Thanks

[topoxforddoc]

Get John Wright to rebuild the Decca - it will work a treat in your Mentor arm. Just make sure that your records are scrupulously clean (ie cleaned on a wet vacuum RCM). You will be transported to a different LP playing experience.

[walpurgis]

I'll second that.

I'd far sooner have any Decca than any Nagoaka. Yes, I know the Nagoakas work just fine, but I just don't find their sound all that interesting.

The Maroon is also an appreciating asset, so you'd not lose money in the long term.

[louie3]

I have a Nagaoka MP-500. Nice sounding cartridge. But I also have a London Jubilee and a Maroon. The Nagaoka seems to sit in its cradle. Cant remember the last time I used it.

That's a hint.

[louie3]

Oh....someone above mentions clean records for the various London/Deccas....absolutely true. If you play a less-than-spotless record with any of the London/Deccas, you will hear almost every speck of dust. But you also hear all the music hidden in the groove.

[Jimbo]

The Nagaoka and Decca are very different sounding cartridges indeed. The Nagaoka will track better and sound fuller and smoother but the Decca will take you there and give you an immediate dynamic analogue experience.

As Charlie mentioned send it to John Wright in Bridgnorth and get him to service it/ sort it and you will have a superb sounding cartridge.

I have heard both and would take the Decca especially if our using a NA TT.

[Jazid]

But you also hear all the music hidden in the groove.

If the stylus hasn't hopped into the next door track (if others are to be believed). Never heard a properly set up Decca so no idea what I'm missing but they have a fearsome online rep for mistracking.

Sent from my BLA-L09 using Tapatalk

[Jimbo]

If the stylus hasn't hopped into the next door track (if others are to be believed). Never heard a properly set up Decca so no idea what I'm missing but they have a fearsome online rep for mistracking.

Sent from my BLA-L09 using Tapatalk

Not sure why mine mistracked on certain records. I tried changing VTF and VTA and adding mass to headshell but it occasionally still "hopped" into the next groove. It was the conical stylus so not sure if the better fine line stylus are better?

[walpurgis]

If the stylus hasn't hopped into the next door track (if others are to be believed). Never heard a properly set up Decca so no idea what I'm missing but they have a fearsome online rep for mistracking

There's a lot off rumour mongering about Deccas, take it with a pinch of salt!

I've owned eleven Decca cartridges and never had any more mistracking than could be expected with other cartridge types. Carefully set up in a suitable arm they track well. I've not had reliablity issues either.

[topoxforddoc]

There's a lot off rumour mongering about Deccas, take it with a pinch of salt!

I've owned eleven Decca cartridges and never had any more mistracking than could be expected with other cartridge types. Carefully set up in a suitable arm they track well. I've not had reliablity issues either.

+1 from another long time (40 years) Decca user

[Jimbo]

There's a lot off rumour mongering about Deccas, take it with a pinch of salt!

I've owned eleven Decca cartridges and never had any more mistracking than could be expected with other cartridge types. Carefully set up in a suitable arm they track well. I've not had reliablity issues either.

Not rumour mongering Geoff - Fact!

[walpurgis]

Not rumour mongering Geoff - Fact!

You misunderstood the context of my post James. I wasn't replying to you, I was typing my thoughts as you posted and hadn't seen yours. The rumour mongering goes on, people repeating what they've read or heard with no actual knowledge of the product. There's a lot of it and not just applying to Deccas.

[Jimbo]

You misunderstood the context of my post James. I wasn't replying to you, I was typing my thoughts as you posted and hadn't seen yours. The rumour mongering goes on, people repeating what they've read or heard with no actual knowledge of the product. There's a lot of it and not just applying to Deccas.

No problem Geoff. I mistook your comments as a reply to my own. Sorry.

I am quite often annoyed by rumours about equipment as it has always been a common trait in the HiFI world.Often put about by HiFi dealers who want to sell their particular equipment and therefore rubbish the competition.

[louie3]

My experience indicates mistracking is an arm-Decca mismatch issue. I certainly had tracking problems with mine until I found the right heavier arm. I have read accounts of folks who use Deccas in lighter arms (Graham) but it did not work for me. As to misinformation, that's one of the many unforseen virtues of the cyber sea.

[Jimbo]

My experience indicates mistracking is an arm-Decca mismatch issue. I certainly had tracking problems with mine until I found the right heavier arm. I have read accounts of folks who use Deccas in lighter arms (Graham) but it did not work for me. As to misinformation, that's one of the many unforseen virtues of the cyber sea.

Damping certainly helps but if you got the wrong arm there can be issues as I found out. I was using a VPI Unipivot 9T Tonearm which had damping but the Decca was never 100% happy in this arm and the cartridge mistracked occasionally on certain records.

[littlest hobo]

Thanks all for your thoughts, I think the almost unanimous opinion is to get the Decca sorted and give it a whirl. The Nagaoka will be plan B if the Decca doesn’t work out for me.