Fidelity Research cartridges


Any FR cartridge experts out there? Raul? Dertonarm? Syntax?
I have had an FR-7 which I bought a while ago. I tried it ever so briefly when I got it on an arm I now recognize as not being able to handle that weight (close, but no cigar). I just now pulled it out for kicks and after getting it adjusted with the big counterweight, I am VERY pleasantly surprised. Actually, I'm feeling kind of bubbly. It does not dig out the utmost in detail, but it just sounds very right.

Are there any other FR carts out there which are real steals if still in good condition? I know the MC-702 and the FR-1Mk2 and Mk3f by name, with good reps being assigned to the Mk3 and the MC-702. Given that the MC-702 and the FR-7 look quite similar, and they were offered at about the same time, what is different? And is the FR-7 just an integrated headshell version of the FR-1Mk3?
t_bone

Showing 5 responses by ddriveman

Hi,

Does anyone have any knowledge of the Fidelity Research MCX-5 cartridge. There is a seller of this cartridge and he claims that this is similar to the FR7 but without the integrated headshell. Can anyone shed some light on this subject??

Rgds
T_Bone and Dertorm, Thanks for your inputs. Guess I will continue my search for a FR7F or FR702.
Ok, time to give some update since this thread has been revived and almost 4 years have passed since my vintage MC Cartridge mini-shootout review. Thanks to Chakster for finding that review.
Firstly, I was able to listen to the Ikeda 9C III again with Ikeda headshell and Ikeda headshell wires. This time, I preferred the 9C III to the FR7fz.
I've also added a SPU 85th Anniversary which is now the best SPU in my inventory. Finally, I moved from the Koetsu Coralstone Platinum to the Koetsu Coralstone Diamond Platinum which has a diamond cantilever. This is now my reference cartridge. All of the attributes of the original Coralstone Platinum but with more detail and PRAT. 
I'm still hunting for a Ikeda 9R, 9REX or 9 MUSA as I really like the cantileverless Ikeda 9 sound.
Additionally, I also have a Sony XL-55 Pro. It was nice but not better than the FR7fz in my system. If anyone is interested, I'm willing to part with it.
Finally, the cartridges that get most used in my system are :
- Koetsu Coral Diamond Platinum
- Ikeda 9C III
- FR7fz
- SPU 85th Anniversary
- Acoustical Systems Archon Cartridge
- Technics EPC100 Mk IV

FWIW
Yes, the SPU 85th anniversary has the Urushi body. Really nice. My firend has the SPU 95th Anniversary. he likes it a lot and prefers it over my 85th Anniversary. But I prefer my 85th Anniversary on my system and his system. The 95th has a "modern" sound compared to the 85th but I preferred the vintage SPU house sound.
Damper on my Technics EPC100Mk4? Not sure if there was a problem? Plays and sounds fine.
Ateal,

Yes, my technics EPC100MkIV is the thegrated headshell version in P Mount version.