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Fidelity Research FR64 owners, what carts are you using?

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Posted on June 25, 2017 at 14:25:10
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 5401
Location: Yakima, Washington
Joined: March 8, 2003
 Finally working on getting back 'into the groove' after quite a few years of storing my turntables and main system.

Would like to know what other FR64 tonearm owners have found in the line of cartridges that work well, especially MM type.

The main table I have ready for now is a Technics Sp10 MK2 (mounted on factory plinth...which technically makes it a SL1000 MK2) with a Fidelity Research FR64s (w/silver wiring). The cartridge used is a Fidelity Research FR-1 MK3F, mounted on a Sumiko head shell (lower mass than FR cartridge holder).

When I was previously using this combination, I used the lighter counterweight on the FR64s with the lighter Sumiko cartridge holder for less mass, as I believe the FR-1 performs better with less mass.
This also should open up the use of cartridges not normally associated with the FR64s,with higher compliance, right?

I would like to get the FR-1 re-tipped and so I need to get something take it's place.
Was thinking of one of the Nagaota MM carts, possibly the MP150 or similar, but not sure if close enough compliance.

I also just purchased/received a Schiit Mani for phone stage duty until I get the rest of my system finished.


I have another FR64(s?) tonearm with smaller counterweight and 2 Technics
EPA-500 tonearm systems with 'H' and 'E' wands...would like to get a 'G'.
Other turntables I have for future projects are a Lenco/Goldring G99, various Lenco L75 (have PTP2 kit), Empire 208 with arm etc.

Or.... maybe it would just be easier to sell all this and just buy a new modern turntable... :)
It's all about the music!

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I use an FR64S with Acutex, posted on June 25, 2017 at 19:07:48
Lew
Audiophile

Posts: 10912
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Joined: December 11, 2000
 Mine has silver wire inside, too. I use it with a light weight headshell and an Acutex LPM320 STRIII. (Which is actually an induced magnet design, not an MM.) The manufacturer stated Compliance for the Acutex is 42, so I expected problems even with the lighter than stock headshell. Actually, it works great, on my Victor TT101. I don't know why it works so well, in fact, except maybe with age the compliance has gone down. (Using it with an NOS Acutex OEM 320 stylus, too.)

 

RE: Fidelity Research FR64 owners, what carts are you using?, posted on June 25, 2017 at 23:09:59
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 > Or.... maybe it would just be easier to sell all this and just buy a new modern turntable... :)

That's exactly what I would do. If you truly believe "it's all about the music" you should buy a new turntable and forget about all the hassles with old components that constantly require attention and repair. Like you, I am more interested in listening to music than fussing with old equipment.

You might look into the new Technics SL-1200 turntables or possibly a new VPI Prime turntable. Both have gotten excellent reviews by inmates here in the Vinyl Asylum. Personally, I have two friends with VPI Prime turntables and they are both very impressed with them. As for me, I like the new Technics SL-1200G, but I don't own one. I own an older SL-1200 Mk2 turntable and I think it's an excellent turntable.

Good luck,
John Elison

 

I don't understand..., posted on June 26, 2017 at 07:14:15
Lew
Audiophile

Posts: 10912
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Joined: December 11, 2000
 What part of the OP's question would suggest that his SP10 Mk2 is problematic? Even if he were having issues with the SP10, every single part in an SP10 is now replaceable with new, even including the chip that runs the servo mechanism. And the SL1200 Mk2 is naught but a budget version of the SP10 Mk2... So, I don't get it. The new SL1200G might be superior to an SP10, but at a cost.

 

That's okay..., posted on June 26, 2017 at 12:20:44
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 I like new modern turntables!

I don't like repairing old components.

I don't know why you don't understand that, but it's okay with me. I don't care whether you understand or not.

Good luck,
John Elison

 

RE: I use an FR64S with Acutex, posted on June 26, 2017 at 21:48:06
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 5401
Location: Yakima, Washington
Joined: March 8, 2003
 Lew, thanks for the suggestion, I will keep my eye out for one of these.
It's all about the music!

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RE: Fidelity Research FR64 owners, what carts are you using?, posted on June 26, 2017 at 22:04:30
Wojciech
Audiophile

Posts: 4129
Joined: June 23, 2009
 Lyra carts are said to be designed with FR series of arms and incidentally my vintage Lyra Clavis works great (through Jensen SUT) and really rocks (literally ;) with FR-64S. One of the rare instances when I personally experienced such a synergy.

 

RE: Fidelity Research FR64 owners, what carts are you using?, posted on June 27, 2017 at 16:25:36
hbs4y2001@yahoo.com
Industry Professional

Posts: 4
Location: Mid Atlantic
Joined: July 29, 2014
 I have an SP10 Mk II upgraded bu Bill Thalman of Music Technologies in northern Virginia. I use a Kuzma 4 point 14 inch arm and a Transfiguration Proteus cartridge. The Benz LPS MR is excellent as well. Im a dealer for Transfiguration and can help you if youre interested.

 

RE: Fidelity Research FR64 owners, what carts are you using?, posted on June 27, 2017 at 18:15:10
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 5401
Location: Yakima, Washington
Joined: March 8, 2003
 Sounds like a great cartridge... to bad it's pretty much unobtainable...
It's all about the music!

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RE: Fidelity Research FR64 owners, what carts are you using?, posted on June 27, 2017 at 18:25:58
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 5401
Location: Yakima, Washington
Joined: March 8, 2003
 Not sure about your post, as I was asking specifically for information about cartridges for the Fidelity Research FR64s tonearm.

You should be careful posting like this, as it violates the Rules for members of the trade:

"A member of the trade may not volunteer any information about a specific product that he is selling or making, in response to a general request for information about a type of product or in any other discussion."
It's all about the music!

Support Asylum Trader

 

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