I use a Jelco SA750 12" for my Decca Super Gold Paratrace and it is magic! |
Never heard anything like that. It sounds like the armature could be loose or damaged or the tie-back cord is not doing its job.
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Yeah, it's just that tinny, microphonic Decca sound when the stylus hits the groove. If you are gentle, it can be minimized.
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Nice system, Howard. I'm at the low end of all this wonderful gear. (See my system in my profile)
I've had a Decca Super Gold since the 80s on an LP12 where it was eventually relegated to the bottom of the drawer.
It's since been rejuvenated with a Decapod and the same stylus as used in the LDR, and vanquished of malady by installing it on a slate plinthed and heavily modded Garrard 401. I've also acquired two other treasured Garrott Brothers' cartridges. |
Ugh. The loading debate. Free the beast. To hell with the frequency hump. I use 51k bulk foil resistors and my Deccas never sounded better.
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@halcro Of course, I meant carbon fibre not graphite. I returned the Yamamoto CF headshell so I can’t experiment further. The bass was better delineated but the upper mids, highs and air were attenuated. That's a no-no for me. If I get a tax rebate, I may try the Arche. It is expensive but it has sterling feedback.
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@halcro Sounds great. Very clear. Nice recording. Curious. You wrote a few years ago advising against graphite headshells. What changed your mind?
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@howardalex While not the LDR, I track all my Deccas at 1.65 grams. Speeds it up and lights it up. No AS on 12" arm.
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@howardalex Thank you. I had a Radford ST50 long time ago with MO KT88s. Sweet and powerful with 3D imaging. But the big caps dried out and I let it go. My modified EICOs stun me every day with their control, detail, color and lifelike sound on the ESLs.
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HowardAlex, my tonearm must be better!
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@bydlo Good read. Congrats. I tweak VTA by ear and lock it in when it sounds best - and I usually end up with the arm higher at the back. It will snap into focus within a small range so don't be afraid to experiment. My records must be clean because I do not get much fluff on the stylus. I drop and lift a few times into a Mr. Muscle pad every side. Pays dividends in diamond life.
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Yeah, the low ride can pick up fluff but I find that the stylus picks up a lot less than cantilever-based cartridges.
Agreed on the soft brush -you don’t want to damage the tieback cord or worse. No idea about the AT637 but can't imagine there'd be an issue. I sent a well-used 6 year old SG to JW for work and he told me the stylus was not worn. This is a testament to the Magic Eraser and clean records. |
I find the loading setting to sound best for my Deccas at 47k.* Lower values, while recommended, took some life away. It could be argued that I am not damping a resonance in the presence region but...
*I experimented and found that using 51k Vishay Z-foil resistors brings greater clarity, air, blackness and enhanced the color of vocals and instruments. You might also try 100k and 1Meg as I have heard it sounds good there too.
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@bydlo re the Ti screws being lighter, the small sound difference could be caused by moving the counterweight closer to the pillar.
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