WTB : Decca cartridge

[Mileend]

Looking to try a Decca/London on my PL71. Like to compare it against my more laidback M3D.
Ideally prefer a gold but grey/blue or maroon fine. Not particularly concerned about the model as long as it a reasonable life left in it.

[DSJR]

Actually, a decent Decca makes the M3D sound crude and "raw," rather than laid back :lol:

I really would suggest a new one, or one from current production. Vintage samples will probably/almost certainly fail and need re-doing anyway, by which time you've spent the same as a new sample.

A Decca is NOT a cartridge that can be blindly recommended to the un-initiated (ask HiFi Dave for confirmation). You need to understand the thing and use it accordingly. Mine sounds great, but I'm fully aware the R200 tonearm isn't best for it (neither is the PL71 relative of the R200, despite what other Pioneer zealots suggest), although they do work if you use a decent headshell - the bass jst doesn't quite have the power and the soundfield isn't quite 3-D enough until a suitable arm is used (I like the NAS arms for this cartridge once fitted with DeccaPod)

[Mileend]

Thanks for that Dave. Not uninitated re Deccas having heard a Gold in a PL71 nad modded Maroon in a 401/RB250. Imho the 71 and Decca were a good combo with accurate tracking and adequate bass. The dynamics of a Decca make the M3d seem slower. Agree new Deccas are very reasonably priced.

[Barry]

Hello Mervyn,

I would concur with Dave that the Decca cartridges are not for the uninitiated. They have a uniquely designed generator assembly that requires and benefits from very careful set-up. They are not a 'plug in and play' component!

I have recently revisited my Deccas (a Mark V 'Blue' and a Mark VI 'Gold') and wrote an enthusiastic review for the forum: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7107 and http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=9138.

Both my sample are old (nearly thirty years), built in the days when Decca's quality control was abysmal. The modern versions are much better built and use the standard 4-wire connection system.

Despite their shortcomings, Deccas seem to do something that no other cartridge, that I have heard, can do. I have recently been so delighted with mine, that I will from now on, always have one available for use.

Regards

(PS I may be able to get you a sample of the Mark V; a friend of mine has two he no longer uses. I have no idea as yet of their condition, so don't hold your breath - but it is a definite possibility.)

[Mileend]

Hi Barry

Many thanks for that and for the 2 very informative and interesting articles. Whetted may appetite for sure.
Yes please do let me know about your friends 'Blues'.

Regards
Mervyn

[DSJR]

I caught a bargain once for a mate in a second hand Hifi shop up north (Darlington?). An anonymous looking "Silver Export" for £50. I bought it unheard, stuck the tip under a good microscope and discovered a beautiful and mint VDH style diamond fitted. This sample sounded amazing when fitted to a 301/Bastin plinth and Omega Point tonearm.

The one great thing about Deccas old and new is that there's currently good service for them, as they're still being manufactured. My Gold Microscanner failed after a couple of years and sat in its box sulking for thirteen years or so before being sorted by a Decca chap with all the tooling (via Moth Marketing). For under £100, I had a new lateral coil fitted, the top magnet was replaced properly and re-glued into position and the whole thing cleaned and re-calibrated. I've had to add some mass to the rigid Nagaoka headshell and the lateral inertia is a little too much for the suspension, but at 1.6g tracking weight, it copes with anything I've put its way (even John Martyn's "SSSSSSweet little MySSSSSSSStery" is played without mistracking.

Get a Decca right, and you'll never look at another cartridge, ever, especially the overpriced male jewellery masquerading as Top End cartridges. Get a Decca wrong and you'll rue the day you ever heard of them! That's my view anyway.