Sorry to be responding to an old post, but I just stumbled across this. I have an Ikeda arm, which is claimed as an improvement over the FR, but I am guessing that you must have found it not to be the case. Would love to know your thoughts as to why the same designer might fail to do better than his newer effort.
I think you also like some Ikeda carts, and I loved mine too, before they all mysteriously died on me (all three). I have had good experiences with Decca, although not the Reference, and am thinking that maybe the lack of a cantilever is the magic. I played classical with the Ikeda but mostly pop and rock with my Deccas (Garrott, Maroon), so can't make the claim with certainty.
I think you also like some Ikeda carts, and I loved mine too, before they all mysteriously died on me (all three). I have had good experiences with Decca, although not the Reference, and am thinking that maybe the lack of a cantilever is the magic. I played classical with the Ikeda but mostly pop and rock with my Deccas (Garrott, Maroon), so can't make the claim with certainty.