Decca London Cartridge?

This cartridge arouses deep and violent opinions. I've had friends bring their "lousy mistracking Decca London" round to my rig and plug it straight in and be astounded. Then there was absolutely no mistracking at all. (Both arm and pre amp can screw things up big time). Former must be suitable. A damped unipivot great. Many highly regarded knife edge or ball bearing "classics" are rubbish with this cartridge. (highly regarded for other softer cartridges without the energy output). Also headroom in preamp can cause overload. be brave but remeber it may now require rebuild. Find a friend with a damped unipivot and good preamp.

Forgot to mention that with the london set up properly, old classic retro turntables will sound even better (!!!) such as garrard 301 or 401 - or of course new version 501 now being made in UK. One could find some music detail gets lost with belt drives. I have Linn lp12 using london arm as well as 301 with london arm - latter is better. Surprises continue in vinylfi land. (I listen with latest QUAD ESL 989 which is also super revealing - sorry folks!)

Rebuilds in UK at J S Wright (Originally at Decca and manufacturer of all new ones as well as rebuilder and repairer for all from the MkI onwards). Costs excluding postage he tells me are Elliptical tip (identical to one you possibly have is £150 but recommend the newer extended line contact ("better thaan van den Hul") this is about £50 more but I don't have his quoted price. Credit cards may be a problem - check at jwaservices@btconnect.com
There are other rebuilders of course - see web sites. Being in uk, I only have used John Wright.

Hi guys - I have been a Deccahead since they first released the Mark I (1958!) Never had any tracking problems (but always used their arms) managed quarter gram tracking on flat non warped test disc once with the SC4E cartridge issued early 1970's (bass tracks from Shure obstacle course I remember?) This latter was high compliance and discontinued. Theory with NO DAMPING in stylus assembly needs only 15 C units for 1.5g VTF. Current models ( 3 are still available) and new design on way I hear, all have around 15 compliance unit armature design but vary in internal damping and stylus profile.
Frequency response up to 30kHz and above. Original design started life for a multiplex stereo where the 30KHz carrier was switched for each channel (as for FM stereo) Discontinued when they realised Alan Blumlein (EMI)had patented two groove wall method back in the 1930's and everyone else was going this way.

Is it worth using? I wouldn't use anything else - but it must have a damped arm and unipivots preferred (less reflections back down arm tubing). I believe all "mistracking" comments due to using in undamped arms - a fault of the combination not of the cartridge design which clearly states its need for damping. If you want holographic stereo images and mind blowing music please try this cartridge. I was once told it was "too theatrical" - therefore not to everyone's tastes.