Absolute phase and integrated cartridge/arms

Yeah, mate, sure. You know the point I was making :)

Marco.

Have a peek at the link below and you'll notice that there are two Decca Full Frequency Stereo Sound curves, and that several labels under the same umbrella used the FFSS equalisation in preference to RIAA.
I'd love to hear the combo of Decca arm, cartridge, correct eq., and a first FFSS pressing.

I can do three out of the four!

http://www.phonostagepreamp.com/78rp...ualization.htm

Quote:

Originally Posted by camtwister

Have a peek at the link below and you'll notice that there are two Decca Full Frequency Stereo Sound curves, and that several labels under the same umbrella used the FFSS equalisation in preference to RIAA.
I'd love to hear the combo of Decca arm, cartridge, correct eq., and a first FFSS pressing.

I can do three out of the four!

http://www.phonostagepreamp.com/78rp...ualization.htm

That's an interesting site. It has to be remembered that the RIAA equalisation curve was not proposed until 1954 and then took a while to be universally adopted. Until full adoption by all the record labels, each label continued to use it's own equalisation, though some were almost identical to one another.

The Quad 22 preamp had a choice of eight playback curves that could be used by appropriate setting of three push buttons. A guide came with the preamp advising settings for particular record labels that you could affix near the preamp. If a record label was not included, then Quad advised choosing a setting which "sounded best to your ears". :) Other manufacturers at that time such as Leak and Tannoy also offered a choice of playback curves, though none were as comprehensive as the Quad 22.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco

As you know, Decca were amongst a select group of cartridge manufacturers who also had their own record label, therefore it's not surprising that their cartridges will have been voiced using their own recordings, especially considering the various RIAA equalisation curves used in those days by record companies.

I have heard this before: that Decca recordings sound best when played with a Decca cartridge. Whilst there might have been an element of truth in the early days, since after all the Decca cartridge was designed by Decca and would have been developed using their own recordings, when I wrote my report on the Mk. VI (the Gold) that you heard, I cited this 'myth' and could report that the Decca sounded excellent regardless of record label.

Certainly if the Deccas had a 'house sound' that would have only applied to the Mk. I and II and probably only with recordings that used the Decca ffrr equalisation. These days, as you know, Decca cartridges are made by Presence Audio and marketed as London cartridges. They are a new design and I'm sure sound sublime with whatever they they track. I believe a couple of members here have some of the top level Deccas in their systems. Sadly at just over three thousand pounds for the London Reference - it'll be a long time before I hear one!

Regards

Another ionteresting write up. Thank you Barry.

The London Reference is £2599 and I do have one on demo from time to time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hifi_dave

Another interesting write up. Thank you Barry.

The London Reference is £2599 and I do have one on demo from time to time.

Hello Dave,

Well that's about £500 less than I thought, but still out of my price range. However when my endowment pays up in a years time, maybe I'll peddle over to your place and listen to one. :)

Regards

You're very welcome anytime.