TOPSHELF Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 A friend of mine recently purchased a 401 with a Decca ffss tonearm on the plinth. What are your thoughts on this? My friend has a long term plan for this tt but for now and so he can hear it play as it would have "back in the day" he would like to put a needle on it. Can anyone point me toward a replacement stylus and give me any information you think relevant in getting this classic playing music again. Thanks all
Graceman Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 The guru for all things to do with the Decca FFSS (and Decca London) cartridges is John Wright Audio Services in UK. http://www.london-cartridges.co.uk If you want to read more about these amazing cartridges then there is a 14 page thread over on on Lenco Heaven: http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=19658.0 1
TOPSHELF Posted March 7, 2016 Author Posted March 7, 2016 Graceman thanks for the links i will pass them on. I was hoping someone here has had a personal experience using this arm. Any takers?
Graceman Posted March 8, 2016 Posted March 8, 2016 (edited) I should add that you cannot "change the needle" on these cartridges. It would have to be sent to JW for replacement, which would probably come in at $300-$400. I had my Decca London rebuilt by him last year. The arm will only accept the FFSS and other Decca cartridges as the mount is unique. Both turntable and arm are sought after and will command surprisingly high resale $. The 401/Decca is a great combination; hard to find and a joy to listen to. Edited March 8, 2016 by Graceman 1
TOPSHELF Posted March 8, 2016 Author Posted March 8, 2016 Thank you for the info, i work with the new owner and these were the things we wanted to know. I have read that the stylus is very,very fragile is that true. Also am i right in thinking it is mc and if so low or high? Could you tell me who JW is please. Thanks Ian.
Graceman Posted March 8, 2016 Posted March 8, 2016 As davidro said, John Wright who is uk based and a former employee of Decca. Among users, he is considered the acknowledged expert, and probably the global expert, on all things Decca. The cartridge is neither MC nor MM - there is much written in the links I gave, and also in: http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=545.0 but that link is currently 174 pages long! However, If you go to the opening page, you will see a photograph of the underside of a decca London cartridge. The one on your friend's arm is essentially the same construction, just an earlier model in a different shaped body. In terms of loading, treat it as a standard MM and use a standard MM setting on a pre-amp. You will see there is a tie-cord restraining the stylus tip. This is an essential part of the construction and as you progress through the links, you will learn how it is constructed and yes, it is fragile like all cartridges. The BIG no-no however, is back cueing as this will lead to instant disaster! 1
TOPSHELF Posted March 8, 2016 Author Posted March 8, 2016 Thanks Graceman i know my friend will get through all those pages soon and his intention is to bring the headshell up to spec and mount it back on the arm. The ball park figure cost to repair is very helpful.
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