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Fidelity Research FR7F history/changes

Recently fell in love with a front end I was supposed to be trying to sell for a friend that included this cartridge. Wonderful bass,dynamics, delineation of instruments with nice harmonics,... I bought the front end & recently bought a back up cartridge as well. What prompts the question is the minor cosmetic differences (believe they both are 6 digit serial numbers) - the 1st one (the magic 1) has a vertical stripe in front and seems to have a slightly different body size (the stylus guard of the 2nd cartridge does not quite fit; and the marked playback differences-the 2nd cart does not have the "technicolor" presentation of the 1st. It is OK but not what I was hoping for(It was supposed to have low hours and I saw nothing under the scope to contradict that). If there are experts or resources out there to fill me in, please do since when the time comes to retip, I assume that the magic might go away & I may need to hunt down another one & will need to figure out what criteria to look for to make sure I do not buy another that has less magic. Best wishes, LS
trytone

Showing 4 responses by chakster

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I have a rare FR-7f in a silver body with 2 digits serial number, I sold my previous black FR-7f after I bought more expensive FR-7fz. I do not re-tip vintage cartridges, I prefer NOS samples.

I must admit that FR-7f and FR-7Fz are amazing LOMC cartridges, especially for FR-66fx and FR-64s tonearms.

Now I have two FR-7fz and one FR-7f (silver). You can check some in my system. 

You will find all information about these cartridges on audiogon.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@totem395 you never owned FR-7 series, because you don’t even know about SEALED SUSPENSION, clever design from Ikeda-San. This cartridge NEVER suffer from suspension problem! Never ever!

NOS sample of the FR-7f (or fz) is a Holy Grail! :)
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Nowhere did I mention the FR-7 cart as having suspension problems, but as often as you mention 
all your NOS cartridges available its prudent to note
the relevant pitfalls.


But this topic is ABOUT FR-7 cartridge. 

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@chakster looks in the mirror each morning he sees a young 17 year old man, hasn’t aged a bit in 50 years.


I’m 45 soon, not 67


Some of my NOS cartridges are a bit younger than me, but we are good. 

Some of my tubes are much older than me and they are still better than new tubes. 
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