HiFi/Stereo - Phono Cartridges
Warren Gregoire and Associates LLC
FOR THE DISCRIMINATING AUDIO ENTHUSIAST
North America's only, full-line, stocking dealer of
London Decca phono cartridges,
London Reference,
London Decca Jubilee, London Decca MK VII Super Gold,
London Decca MK VI Gold and London Decca MK VI Maroon.
Manufacturer of Ikonoklast2DX4 speakers.
Manufacturer of Ikonoklast3 speakers.
Manufacturer of Ikonoklast5 speakers.
Manufacturer of Ikonoklast7 speakers.
Micro transmission line speaker systems.
Sony SACD Modifications.
Stereo repair and stereo modifications.

Prices shown are manufacturers suggested retail, but it is our policy to offer the LOWEST PRICES in the marketplace for all of our phono cartridges. We do this with a combination of special sales, discounts and allowances. We are constantly striving to improve values for our clients, so please check with us concerning our up-to-date prices and programs. Also, we may be able to accept your present cartridge as a trade-in.

LONDON DECCA
ARE THESE THE WORLD'S BEST
PHONO CARTRIDGES?

Experienced reviewers have stated unequivocally that no other cartridge in the world can match the London Decca's head-spinning musical realism. Another claims it sets an example for all other cartridges (presumably, including more costly ones), in the area of dynamics, rhythm, pacing and timing.

How and why is this cartridge different from, and possibly superior to all the others?

Is it a "moving coil" or a "moving magnet" design? Neither! Only a lighter, thinner shorter, magnetically active metal foil, bearing the stylus, comprises the entire moving system. This results in lower moving mass than either moving coil or moving magnet models.

The London Decca cartridges may be the only ones which have no cantilever, in the conventional sense. This appears to be the underpinning of their stunning success- it has been said that the London Deccas "reek of musicality."

Other cartridges (both moving coil and moving magnet) mount their styli on the long end of a thin tube (cantilever) which works like a lopsided "see-saw." The short end of the cantilever attaches to either a coil of wire or a magnet. At the fulcrum point, a flexible "rubbery" sleeve functions as a pivot, allowing the stylus/cantilever assembly to respond to the "wiggles" in the LP groove. Because the front section of the cantilever, which holds the stylus, is much longer than the rear section which is attached to the coil or magnet, a large movement of the stylus is transformed to a smaller movement at the coil or magnet, possibly causing cantilever-design cartridges to sound dynamically compressed and lacking in transient attack. London Decca's engineers advise that this problem with dynamics and transients is compounded by the cantilever's "rubbery" fulcrum point which tends to absorb a significant amount of the stylus-generated motion, before it can reach the coil/magnet electrical generator assembly. Also, a smearing of the sound is said to occur, which they refer to as "cantilever haze."

But in the London Decca, there is no long cantilever and no "rubbery" fulcrum point to absorb, dissipate and smear the vital musical energy. Instead, the stylus is attached directly to a magnetically active, metal support just a few microns thick (armature) which passes through the center of the main generating coil-positioned only about 1 millimeter above the stylus! The stylus motion is not inverted or "transformed" to a smaller value, as in long cantilever designs. Flowing from this immediate- positive-direct scanning of the groove is a breathtaking "alive" quality. The listener tends to feel that the performing artists are actually in the same room, with a startling, palpable presence.

From the beginning, music lovers have lauded the unparalleled vividness of the London Deccas which were first introduced over 25 years ago. However, earlier models were criticized, at times, for such reasons as their unusually high vertical tracking force, a tendency to mistrack, and the need for special (damped) tone arms.

So, what does it sound like? Warren Gregoire attempts to answer this question:

"Like no other Decca or London cartridge previously produced."

Warren continues: "I have been a big fan of the Decca cartridge since I heard music through one for the first time, in 1970. But like many other music reproduction enthusiasts, my liking was tempered by the sometimes harsh, aggressive quality of the early cartridges. Subsequently, the new Super Gold and Jubilee moderated these traits to the point where I preferred them even over some considerably more costly moving coil cartridges."

But the London Reference is not another incremental improvement, further moderating the less desirable traits of previous Deccas and Londons. Instead, it is a quantum leap into a new world of LP reproduction, never before available, at any price. The Reference has all the good qualities of the most costly moving coil designs, and more... so much more. The dynamic impact of Decca cartridges has always been their hallmark. But now the Reference delivers accurate dynamic tracking like no cratridge has ever done before. Not only is it exciting and dynamic sounding, but the dynamics truly follow exactly what's there on the LP.

Percussive effects of any kind and plucking and strumming are simply breath taking in their realism.

"Then there are the voices. I never imagined I would hear human voices reproduced with the completely convincing quality the Reference routinely musters. This 'super-realism' quality is apparent even on 50-year old mono LP's."

If you must hear ALL of the music on your LP's, in the most enjoyable manner possible, you must procure a London Reference cartridge. It is really the ONLY way I am aware of. My apologies to the $7500 moving coil guys and all the rest. But after careful evaluation, this is my true opinion. And I will no longer be satisfied listening to some pricey MC's that have been my recent favorites. They're going on ebay or someplace, soon.

The London company seems to be having a difficult time keeping up with the worldwide demand for this hand crafted wonder. But it is our policy to attempt to have them in stock at all times. Lately, they have been selling out shortly before our replacements arrive from the UK. Basically, our firm always has them, or has them on order. Please telephone 1-800-634-0094 or 510-633-9353 for availability.

LONDON REFERENCE PHOTO GALLERY

LONDON DECCA JUBILEE

LIST PRICE ............ $2,875.*
SALE PRICE ............ CALL!

The new London Decca Jubilee has retained and enhanced the legendary musical realism of its predecessors, but also achieves "world-class" tracking ability, at only 1.8 grams (VTF). A damped tone arm is not necessarily required, and unlike most high quality moving-coil designs, the electrical output level of the London Decca Jubilee is among the highest- 5mV, needing no pre-preamp or step-up transformer.

The London Decca Jubilee is individually hand crafted, using coils wound of oxygen-free copper conductors and high flux samarium cobalt magnets. Its cartridge body is machined by computer from a solid block of aluminum, and shaped to hold the motor assembly and the polished, natural grain--oriented, line contact diamond stylus with absolute precision. This acoustically inert cartridge body contributes to the Jubilee's low-coloration music reproduction, and provides a firm flat mounting surface with internal threads to facilitate installation.

HAVE YOU AUDITIONED THIS REMARKABLE COMPONENT? WOULD YOU LIKE TO?

PLEASE CALL US TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-634-0094 TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE WORLD'S MOST EXCITING PHONO CARTRIDGE- THE LONDON DECCA JUBILEE.

- LONDON DECCA JUBILEE SPECIFICATIONS -

Channel balance................................................................ 1dB at 1kHz
Channel separation........................................................... 25dB at 1kHz
Compliance.................................................. Lateral 15 x 10(-6) cm/dyne
...................................................................Vertical 10 x 10(-6) cm/dyne
DC resistance................................................... 2000 Ohms per channel
Frequency range........................... 20Hz to 40kHz (20Hz to 22kHz +3dB)
Generator coil conductors......................................... Oxygen-free copper
Inductance............................................................... 130mH per channel
Input capacitance....................................... 100 to 300pf (optimum 220pf)
Input impedance....................... Nominal 47k Ohms (optimum 33k Ohms)
Magnets........................................................ High flux samarium cobalt
Mass..................................................................................... 10 grams
Output......................................................................... 5mV at 5cm/sec
Stylus................................................................... Diamond line contact
Vertical tracking angle.......................................................... 15 degrees
Vertical tracking force................................................... 1.8 to 2.2 grams

EXCLUSIVE POSITIVE SCANNING
DIRECT GENERATOR - NO CANTILEVER !

LOWER-PRICED
LONDON DECCA CARTRIDGES

The same positive-scanning, direct generator system (with no cantilever) which is found in the incomparable London Decca Jubilee, but priced from only $875. All of these London Deccas have sound quality which is arguably better than cartridges priced well over $2000. Don't rely on the rave reviews, instead, you be the judge!

LONDON DECCA MK VII SUPER GOLD

LIST PRICE ............ $1,260.*
SALE PRICE ............ CALL!

A line contact, polished, grain-oriented diamond stylus, similar to the Jubilee's, mated to less costly generator coils and housing. If you have never heard music through the $2875. London Decca Jubilee, you may well think the SUPER GOLD is the world's best cartridge! Subjectively 90% of Jubilee's world-beating musical realism. Frequency range: 20Hz to 40kHz.

LONDON DECCA MK VI GOLD

LIST PRICE ............ $1,135.*
SALE PRICE ............ CALL!

Nude, polished, grain oriented elliptical stylus, with the same generator and similar housing of the SUPER GOLD, above. We estimate the GOLD cartridge provides 80% to 85% of the state-of-the-art musical realism provided by the top-of-the-line Jubilee. Frequency range: 20Hz to 40 kHz.

LONDON DECCA MK VI MAROON
LIST PRICE ............ $875.*
SALE PRICE ............ CALL!

Large, polished, spherical diamond stylus, mated to the same generator and housing as the GOLD (elliptical) version, above. About 75% to 80% of the famed Jubilee's alive sound. Frequency range: 20Hz to 25kHz.

Remember.... ALL London Decca models have ultra high output- 5mV, and DO NOT REQUIRE A PRE-PREAMP OR TRANSFORMER! We shall be delighted to discuss the compatibility of your system components with the London Decca cartridges.

PRE-OWNED CARTRIDGES

LONDON JUBILEE CARTRIDGE.... This pristine Jubilee has been traded in on the top of the line Reference. It is just back from the factory in the United Kingdom where it has received a brand new stylus. These don't show up often. "he who hesitates is lost."
Only one at this incredibly low price.
MSRP $2875. preowned with zero time extended line contact stylus... $1775.

QUESTIONS? CALL NOW TOLL-FREE 1-800-634-0094

Specifications, prices and availability subject to change without notice.
Copyright 2008 Warren Gregoire and Associates LLC
All Rights Reserved.