FR64 cartridge suggestions


Been out of the loop for quite a few years due to some 'life' events, with system in storage.

I have been able to pull my system from storage, and last year worked enough overtime to upgrade or purchase new equipment, but I have not upgraded my turntable/tonearm/cartridge yet.

My turntable is a Technics SL1000 MKII which for those not familiar, is the Technics SP10 MKII turntable mounted on a factory plinth.
I have two Technics B-500 bases with an 'E' armwand and 'H' armwand that I don't use.
The tonearm I do use is a Fidelity Research FR64, so I need a low compliance cartridge.
The cartridge I used last is a vintage Fidelity Research FR-1 MK3 F, which needs to be re-tipped, and I will do so once I get a replacement.

The rest of the system includes:

Zesto 1.2 Andros tube phono stage
Zesto 1.5 tube preamp
Quicksilver V4 tube amps (new KT150 version)
Green Mountain Audio Continuum 3 speakers
JL Audio 113 Fathom subwoofers (pair)

Curious what cartridges other high mass tonearm owners are using, especially those who use Fidelity Research FR64/66 tonearms.

Looking for cartridges under $2000 USD at most.. probably should spend half that.

I have over 20K records, so I am very anxious to get this back into service.

Really curious about suggestions and thanks in advance.



128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xrich121

I think that thinking is not possible without some assumptions.

But as logic ''prescribes'' if the assumptions are false then

all deduced statements irrespective of their ''logic'' will be

also false. As is, I assume, well known ''our Lew'' has always

some assumptions irrespective of his ''familiarity'' with the

given ''subject matter''. I have no idea why he assumed that

I sold my B-60 replica. The case is that I bought two samples

after my email exchange with the seller. My problem with my

sample was the ''steel pin'' which lead the up and down movement

of the construction. I asked the seller (producer) if I can get

this ''pin'' little bit bigger and made from ''gun metal'' . By his

answer the seller also told me that he will stop with production

because no profit whatever he could made. I got my ''gun metal''

pins bu also bought his last sample. So I still own two samples.

I changed the steel pins for ''gun metal'' kinds and also substituted

the sticky synthetic oil for (smooth) grease.

So thanks to my own improvement I am now satisfy with both my

samples (grin).

Rich, I purchased a replica B60 base, possibly from the same source, a few years ago. It is now in use with my FR64S. I have no complaints. It’s very well made. However, subsequent to my purchase, someone posted here (Audiogon Analog Forum) that he was disappointed in the replica B60 that he had more recently purchased. In particular, he denigrated the quality of construction, as I recall. So, I don’t know whether this is a case of a cranky perfectionist sounding off, or whether there are two different sources for the B60, one good (mine) and one bad (whatever the dissatisfied person bought). I looked at your photos, and I would have to go and carefully examine mine in order to discern whether the one for sale is exactly like mine, or not. Certainly the two are very close.

I found the old thread.  It was Nandric who complained about his sample of the replica B60.  It wiggled, side to side and up and down, even in set mode.  That, of course, is not acceptable.  That was in 2014.  Maybe Nandric can comment on what he thinks now.  My guess is he sold it. (Sorry to have referred to you as a "cranky perfectionist", Nikola.)
@best-groove i really like how you transform us to italian speaking persons :) 


Il mio suggerimento è di cercare Ikeda 9, il cosiddetto "cantileverless"
Ikeda 9 too many problems, it's a miracle when the channels are perfectly balanced.
Nandric, You didn’t really answer my question directly, but are you inferring that the FR7fz, etc, are worth the prices you cite (and I’ve seen too) in comparison to the best vintage MM/MI and even some other used LOMC types, many of which can be had for far less cost?

i personally won’t pay that much for a 30+ year old cartridge coming from a foreign country, sold by someone I don’t know. I’d buy one from a trusted friend, only, preferably after an audition in my own system.
Over the years i've seen about 5 different IKEDA cantileverless models, some of them are headshell-integrated as one piece, some can be removed from the conventional headshell. All of them are probably extremely close to the record surface in operation. Very little info availabe online about those different models. I think some of them are made by Ikeda himself and not new, some newer are made by someone at his company. Would be nice to learn more about the difference between them.  

Thanks to the fact that many, like Lew, have no idea about the

FR cartridge's those  can be get for very modest price. I just got

 Ikeda 9 REX for $2000. On Jauce site. One of the best ever

FR-7fz I got for $1500. However one need to find them first.

I will be able to compare FR-64fx to FR-64s tonearms in my system. While i really like the FR-7fz (and my ex FR-7f was also great) with original diamonds, i love my rare vintage MM of another level. Life is much easier with MM and some of the vintage ones are absolutely amazing, the rest is just curiosity and hobby. 

But i won't give up, at least i have to try that FD-64s that so many people in love with. Wish i could find B-60 base for reasonable price. 

 
These days, any of the "best" FR cartridges that aren’t broken will cost at least $1500-$2000, based on current eBay "buy it now" advertisements. At that price point, there is some pretty serious competition. As I have never heard any of the FRs, I'd like to know whether the fans of those cartridges believe that a well preserved or recently re-tipped sample can compete at that level? It’s one thing to say they are excellent and quite another to place them in terms of value. For comparison, many/most of the best MM/MI alternatives that we generally agree upon can be had for less than $1000.

My suggestion is to search for Ikeda 9 , the so called ''cantileverless

kinds''. To paraphrase the description of Sumiko 800 as ''better

Breuer '' I would say ''better Decca''.

My suggestion: search for Ikeda 9 series , the so called

cantileverless kinds. To paraphrase the description of Sumiko

800 ''the arm'' as ''better Breur'' I would say this Ikeda is ''better

Decca''.

The cartridge I used last is a vintage Fidelity Research FR-1 MK3 F, which needs to be re-tipped, and I will do so once I get a replacement.

Posters
The OP is looking for replacment while his FR-1 mk3 will be off for re-tip.

@rich121 i think you have to read this thread first of all:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/fidelity-research-cartridges?highlight=fidelity-research%2Bca...

Simply read J.Carr’s comments

If you really like FR sound then Fidelity-Research PMC-3 is the one to look for until you will find FR-7f or FR-7fz which is the ultimate. 


+1 syntax! Keep the FR-1 mk3F and have it retipped! Truly excellent mc cartridge - I have owned several! Easily competitive with far more expensive mc's!
Stay with FR-3Mk3F and buy a first class diamond for it from your retipper.
It is a top cartridge when done right.
 Keep in mind that one reason the FR tonearms have such a high effective mass is because their headshells are quite heavy, as headshells go. Therefore you can reduce the effective mass of the tonearm by using a much lighter weight headshell. For example, I don’t recommend it, but I am using an Acutex LPM 320 in a dynavector headshell on my FR 64S. The Acutex has a stated compliance of 42, so this combo shouldn’t work well, but it does. This is to say that you need not feel terribly restricted by the high effective mass.
It is surprising how many different types of cartridges can work with the FR-64, despite its heavy effective mass. An obvious first choice would be the FR-7 series. You can get an early (silver) FR-7 for around $1000 and the improved FR-7f for around $1500. The FR-7fz and the final MC-702 variations are superior still, but have become quite rare and expensive.

But if you don't fancy hunting down such vintage systems (with all the risk that goes with that territory) I would strongly recommend the Phasemation PP-300 (or earlier P-3G), which you can buy new for around $1500. Truly a marvelous cart and a great match with the FR-64S.


Fidelity-Research PMC-3 is reasonably priced alternative to more expensive FR-7f, both are made for your tonearm, i’ve been using those on my FR-64fx along with Ortofon SPU Royal G mkII (one of a few SPU with Replicant 100 stylus, the best stylus profile ever). They are all fairly low compliance LOMC cartridges perfectly matched for your high mass arm. 

PMC-3 is much better then your ex FR-1 MK3 F, so instead of re-tip why not just try a different cartridge?