Refurbish Fidelity Research Tonearms

Syntax.  Please let us know what you think after your arm is cleaned and repaired.

The Audiomagik site suggests that all FR-66/64 arms need degreasing, cleaning and fresh lubrication to sound as new due to disintigration of the original bearing grease.  My FR-64S, which I bought from the original owner in Japan, does not have any detectable bearing chatter and is remarkable in how smooth and easily it pivots. I would be surprised if the grease around the bearings had gummed up given these observations.

There could be multiple reasons to get your arm serviced unrelated to the grease issue but I will still be interesting to see what they find in your FR arm. 

-Karl 

Thanks Syntax!  Let us know what you think after listening with the new arm.  What differences are you hearing?

Sounds like it was a worthwhile refurb.  Enjoy your "new" arm.

I think Richard Mak makes a very compelling argument for refurbishing the FR-64S or FR-66S aged arms.  He also offers the mod to the arms that will allow for one tonearm cable from cartridge pins to RCA plugs. The later is more controversial as is alters the arm and its resale value.  Also, there are many who feel eliminating connections in the tonearm cable pathway are critical and many who prefer the flexibility of the SME style connection headshell. I don't think there is a right or wrong, just preference.  I have no intentions of selling my FR-64S and I don't mind the loss of flexibility if I can improve audio enjoyment. This pushes me to be open to a mod and refurb. Finally, although many things in audio are cheaper when you do them yourself, to some, even $800 - $1000 is well worth the price if it is done well and saves you time and the potential of screwing things up.  

No doubt a refurbish - relube - process could be performed at home with the correct tools.  Its all about time and money.

I also understand the motivation to not alter a classic.  I just think in this case, the idea of improving the performance of an excellent design through a rewire, cleaning and better materials for a longer life make perfect sense.  Especially if you have no intention to sell the arm. How many of you are using the original DIN to RCA cable that came with the FR-64S? Not me.

Raul,  I think maybe a better word for you would be "vintage" then. There is no reason to argue about what tonearms are classics and what are "non-sense"  Your opinions on the design flaws of the FR64S/FR-66S are well known. Obviously, Mr. Ikeda also tried to improve on the design over time.  

I actually think the hesitancy to refurbish older hifi is usually pure human sentiment.  Sure that sentiment drives resale prices but not function of the equipment.

Just wanted to post an update about Richard Mak’s service for my FR-64.  Around the time of this original thread, motivated by Syntax’s positive experience with the refurb, I sent my arm to Richard for cleaning and re-wiring.  My arm was in decent shape and functioning as my favorite arm paired with a Koetsu RSP. As part of the the process, Mr. Mak send pictures of the arm disassembled so you can see the condition of the inside prior to cleaning and re-lubrication.  Richard identified a missing washer in my arm suggesting someone before me had opened up the arm.  I bought it used from “the original owner” in Japan.  Hmmm.  Anyway, he was able to find a replacement washer and sent back the arm after cleaning, re-lubricating and re-wiring from clips to RCAs.

I was very pleased with the results.  Now the update. I recently noticed a position, just out side the area over the platter where the horizontal movement of the arm stuck a little.  I confirmed this with my Wally Skater.  After discussing with Richard and troubleshooting a couple things (like the anti skating mech) I sent the arm back to Richard who is now located in Singapore.  Turned out that the original bearings for the horizontal motion were the culprits. Replaced all the bearings with the ABEC9 and happy to report that the arm has never sounded better.  Richard stood by his original service and I only paid for the new bearing.  
 

Lesson learned? If you are jumping into the vintage arm refurb game, replace the bearings while you are there the first time.