London Decca Cartridges Reborn
All Image Credit: London Decca
After many years the legendary London Decca cartridges have returned to the audiophile scene, now under the management of a new experienced design and manufacturing team. The latest lineup have undergone a number of revisions that make them; quieter, more consistent and more reliable. All have been upgraded with Alnico 5 magnets, have updated four-pin terminal blocks, with industry-standard color coding, and internal solder joints are fabricated with audiophile-grade silver solder (6% silver, 91% tin, 2% copper). These first five cartridges include the; Reference, Jubilee, Super Gold, Maroon and Maroon Mono.
For those not too familiar with this unique cartridge design a few details from the London Decca web site:
- Moving Iron/Moving Coil Hybrid:
- While often categorized as moving iron (MI) due to the movement of a magnetic element (the armature), some argue that the Decca design shares characteristics with moving coil (MC) cartridges. The key difference is the lack of a traditional cantilever and coil assembly, with the stylus directly linked to the armature.
- Unique Design:
- The Decca cartridge utilizes a small, lightweight armature that moves within a magnetic field, generating the electrical signal. A tie-back cord or thread is used to secure the armature in place, and a damping medium is present near the clamp.
- No Cantilever:
- Unlike most cartridges, the London Decca does not employ a cantilever, which is a long, thin arm that connects the stylus to the coil.
- High Output:
- Decca cartridges, particularly the Super Gold, are known for their relatively high output voltage, often around 5mV.
- Direct-from-Disc Design:
- The direct connection of the stylus to the armature is a defining feature, contributing to the cartridge’s dynamic and immediate sound.
This latest quintet of cartridges is also to be eventually joined by several other new products including; a dedicated all-tube phono preamp designed specifically for London Decca cartridges, a London Decca record weight, DIN RCA tonearm cable, and a London Decca cable system.
Specifications & Operation:
For more details visit the London Decca web site shop here.
Availability:
September 2025.
MSRP:
- US:
- Reference: $8,495
- Jubilee: $5,895
- Super Gold: $2,895
- Maroon: $1,750
- Maroon Mono: $1,650
