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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
halcro's avatar
halcro
2,664 posts
 
If it's not conical, i wonder why @halcro said it's conical and even re-tipped his sample with Axel (to have Line Contact) ? 

Chakster, there's no question that the FR-7F had a conical (spherical) tip.
Vinyl Engine even gives its diameter as 0.65mm.
My one came with its original tip sheared off but its circular base was highly visible.
I sent it to Dietrich Brakemeier (Dertonarm) (who has worked on dozens of them) and he sent it to Japan to be re-tipped by the Master who apparently did the originals.
It came back to me with a decidedly conical stylus which frankly.....did not set the world on fire 😪
When this new tip also mysteriously sheared off....I sent it to Axel who recommended replacing it with a Line Contact which I agreed to.
My new FR-7F/Lc now sounded superb...and if you check the specs against the FR-7Fz, the only difference appears to be Output Impedance of 2 Ohms against 5 Ohms.

 
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rauliruegas
13,103 posts
 
Dear @chakster : The first F7 born in 1978 and came with line contact type 0.3x0.3mil.
The only conical FR cartridge in this series is the 1981 FR-7F/c.

In between the 7f and 7fz  ( 80-84. This the latest but not the more expensive that was the 7f-c. )

Refinement of line contact could means that is better polished but who knows what really means ? ?


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@halcro Vinyl Engine info is not relevant, simply because the data for the first FR-7 and second FR-7F mixed up. In their wrong database FR-7 for some reason has Line Contact 0.3 x 3mil, but the next to it FR-7F has Spherical 0.65mil which is not true at least for the first FR-7 from 1978.
  
Axel just glued a new Line Contact stylus on original cantilever ? 

@nandric You said Axel is retired, do you mean retired from re-tipping business now ? 

@rauliruegas All i know is that FR-7F has square shank nude diamond of 0.15mm cross section, but i don't know the size of the tip. It would be nice to find out relevant info about it (original manual for example). 

Many times i saw them for sale and each time sellers claimed line contact for FR-7F. 


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rauliruegas
13,103 posts
 
Dear @chakster : The only conical stylus tip shape in that FR series is the the 7F/c all the other came with line contact. FR never used ellipthical shape in that cartridge series.

The way you are reasearching about seem to as if the matters be " dead or live ". Anyway you have the answer.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS;
R.
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 

Hi Chakster, Yes Axel retired and sold his ''shop'' to his assistent.

He got some curious illness (not a stroke) and lost command of

his left hand. But he was already around 70 so deserved retirement.

I moved to Expert Stylus in UK while British GBP lost value in

relation to euro like dollar deed (grin). Those who predicted the

end of euro are very silent now.

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