Originally Posted by
louie3
Read this thread with interest. I went through several toneams trying to get the Deccas sounding right...Graham 2.2-9 inch, SME 309...too light, various Audio Technca vintage models. Ultimately found a Dynavector 507. VOILA!!!! Perfect match of mass and easily adjustable vta....but it is HEAVY....can't use it on my suspended table (Oracle Delphi MK 5/6). On either my custom plinth Lenco or a completely custom VPI-based belt drive, the Dynavector is wonderful. Easy to swap cartridges once you get the set up fixed on the head shell. I understand the DV 505 also mates well with carts needing higher mass.
I have a London Jubilee that has been re-tipped with a Shibata stylus....this was the cause of my great high mass tonearm hunt...the DV 507 handles this bitchy cartridge just fine. This Jubilee absolutely hated the Graham, and of course the SME. It almost worked on the heavier Audio Technicas....almost.
My experience is that any of the Deccas need 20+ grams of tonearm mass, however you might achieve that....I understand some folks run Jubilees on Grahams, but I could never get that combination to work for me.
Louis
My Decca worked OK to a point on my VPI but there was lots of speaker cone wobble evident which I have not had with any other cartridge. The Decca also struggled to track well at all times but apart from that is sounded very good indeed. I agree I think they need a high mass tonearm to get the best out of them.
Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702
Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2