LONDON Decca, Tzar DST and similar cartridges

Hi @Bydlo glad you’re enjoying the LDR !
I’ve probably arrived late on this bit of this excellent thread, but just to let you know I’ve always had the sort of “squeak” you refer to- I think it’s normal and I recall reading a (gushing) Ken Kessler review of the LDR where he alluded to something of that nature too.
A couple of other points to throw into the mix : my LDR is mounted on an FR66 tonearm and I tried a few different headshells along the way. I’ve ended up with an Arche headshell , but the one that stood out for me with the LDR apart from this was the Yamamoto African ebony wood headshell which was really good with the LDR (in my system at least !).
This will sound OCD, but using titanium headshell screws in the Arche also made a material improvement, as did using good quality headshell wires (the aggolos silver ones being very good and flexible for ease of fitting).
Finally, I use Vertex AQ silver tonearm cable from the Brinkmann Balance into the Allnic H3000 phono stage set at 47k.I read the various stuff about changing that 47k impedance to a lower number ( I honestly can’t remember what but I’ll check and let you know ) and Vertex made me a bespoke cable that did that , and yes it again made a significant improvement (it was a while ago but I recall it pretty well got rid of any slight steeliness in certain high frequencies).
If you’re lucky enough to be able to change from 47k on your phono stage then it’s worth experimenting, although (and here I haven’t a clue what I’m talking about in actual physics) I’m told by Vertex that the true impedence is affected by the cable,  so it’s not just what the knob on the phone stage necessarily says. 
Best regards and enjoy the music !

Oops I omitted the Allinc A6000 monoblocks from system ... 

Having read the thread about the London Decca Reference and it’s comparison to high end mc cartridges I just wanted to share my own personal experience.
My system comprises Brinkmann Balance, FR66s, Alnic H3000, Soulution 725 and Avalon Compass diamond speakers.
I have compared the LDR directly and extensively with : Koetsu Jade (diamond cantilever), Koetu Urishi, Fidelity Research FR7fc, SPU Synergy SPU  Classic and ZU Denon 103.
The LDR is (in my system and to my ears) the best cartridge of all of the above. It does not have any less high frequency delicacy, soundstage width, depth or bass than any of those listed (with the possible exception of the Jade that might have more bass but also is comparatively a “performer” in its own right in a “ look how great I am” sense).
For what its worth I’d rank the FR7fc as the second best, coming closest to the musicality of the LDR.  Of course this might be system dependant but the above is my experience.

Oops I omitted the Allinc A6000 monoblocks from system ... 

To any LDR fettlers, my continuing odyssey into its set up continues.
For a while I ran it in my FR66s at 2.0 gms and no anti skate.
i now run it at 1.82 gms with a tiny amount of bias (on the FR using the small weight at just a little in from the minimum setting) and I think it’s better- more texture and delicacy without any loss of tracking ability.
On the Hi Fi news test record the results are : lateral test - the cartridge shakes (badly !) at 7hz;  vertical test - same shake at 15 hz.
Those tests are not affected by VTF.
i use the Arche headshell - it may be OCD but the titanium headshell screws they also sell helped with the LR - I guess “ every little helps ...”

@chakster, re the FR7 series I actually have the basic FR7, the FR7fz (that  you refer to), a “one off “ which is stamped “PW-1” as well as the FR7fc.
In my system the FR7fc and the “PW-1” shade it ahead of the fz (which is itself a big upgrade on the basic FR7).
To my ears the fc is just more musical, like an mc version of the London Reference.
Of course my ears could probably also do with an upgrade, but sadly I’m stuck with them !

@noromance - thanks for the tip, I’ll try that on the LDR

@noromance  - love your system ! I have a Radford STA25 just made for those ESL 57s !
it’s not in use but it’s pleasurable just looking at ...

@edgware - I bought the FR7 “PW-1” from a Japanese seller on eBay (touching wood I’ve only had positive experiences so far buying like that ...); According to him the “PW” stood for “professional world”, as in Fidelity Research made one offs for radio stations or that sort of thing. I’ve no idea if that’s actually the case or just an educated guess, but that’s what he said.
Sonically it’s really good, I immediately preferred it to the FR 7 and FR7 fz I already had when I got it as it seemed a bit more refined in the high frequency range - more airy on the midrange too.
It must have a lower output (like the fc) as it produces less volume.
If I can figure out how to post a photo I’ll put one on.

@halcro - hi, I’m just trying my LDR at 1.65gm with minimum bias on FR66s. I tried it last night and it was very nice at that setting , will have another go later...
I asked John Wright what the VTF should be and he said “1.8gm +/- 0.2gm” so I guess the recommended range is 1.6-2.0 gm.

I’ve now listened to the LDR at 1.65 gms and on some of my (admittedly quite worn) 1960s Argo recordings there was some mistracking, so I’ve increased to 1.85 gm which seems to banish that