Refurbish Fidelity Research Tonearms

The refurbish is 800 $ …. And when you like to change the wire inside - broken, copper, silver … -  etc. he offers some choices

A cheap check / improvement for your Arm
Turn the VTF knob
do you feel the clicks when you pass 1.0. … 1.5 …2.0 etc or hear it?Or nothing when you turn it?When not, then the grease inside is stiff …. And the Arm is far away from it’s abilities … no problem … put it out into the sun on a warm summer day that it heats up … then do it again multiple times and you will hear the clicks very clear and the move of the knob will be without force …. Install it and listen … it will be a huge sonic difference to the better …
and the grease will stay more liquid/smooth for a pretty long time ….

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

Well, Mr. Mak did definitely a very good job. I did expect an improvement but never thought how much better the Arm will be. For me, my Arm was a very good performer and now it is better than just excellent. From all points of view, soundstage, detail, focus, body, physical force …. Everything went up to an unheard level. A View into the Performance like Tangential Arms but without their flaws (grip on notes, low register, body, bass, Gestalt…) and i reduced my volume knob a bit. This is because all details are more present now and i can listen to everything with reduced volume, because i can hear all former details in a new, very impressive, natural listening - mesmerizing- Performance. Tracks signal like Radar …It was a King before and went more than a step up….(What a sonic earthquake it has been when it was launched many, many years ago … it still gives a run to most modern Arms today)
Would do it again.

Syntax,

Glad your experience was positive, my outcome mirrors yours. Rick is not only an analog enthusiast- but he is highly skilled and meticulous with these refurbishments.

He has re-worked dozens of arms in just the last few months since finishing mine and probably hundreds in his lifetime. 

The FR lives on for another 40-50 years!