Who owns/owned a Fidelity Research FR1 MK3F & what is similar but better


To say that I love, love, love this cartridge is a gross understatement. In fact I love it so much I now own 2 - one I had rebuilt and one I just bought which is virtually unused.

The sweet tone of the music and the life like performance of both instruments and vocals is outstanding. The delivery of music is totally immersive and mesmerizing. Whilst the high frequencies are detailed yet silky smooth and the bass is low reaching but solid, it is the midrange where everything comes alive.

It is in this midrange zone that the voices of Nancy Wilson, Jacintha, Vanessa Fernandez, amongst others, become incredibly real, intoxicating and seductive. It is also in this range where trumpets, saxophones, snare drums, bass guitar & piano sound so palpable you feel like you can reach out and touch them.

To give the above statements some context I should point out that I have owned and / or demo'd some reasonably desirable cartridges such as Technics EPC-310MC, Audio Technica OC9 III, AT 32e II, AT 150 MLX, Denon 103 with aluminum body and soundsmith rebuild, Signet TK 100LC, Linn Adikt & Grado F1+, and I can honestly say that based on my taste, none of these cartridges come anywhere close to providing the sheer enjoyment I get from the Fidelity Research.

So what do I do now??? Have I reached vinyl nirvana???? In the short to medium term I say yes wholeheartedly and I am content to focus my $$$ on expanding my record collection with a massive smile on my face.

However, and there is always a "however", what happens when I am ready to consider going to the next level or I get that itch that we all get no matter how high up the food chain we get. What cartridge, (vintage preferably), would offer a similar sonic flavor but provide a little more of everything I love about this magical cart.

This request for information is purely out of curiosity at this stage as I have no desire to spend more $$$, but I am keen hear from those members who have owned the F version of this cartridge and find out what they did to take it to the next level. 

Thanks in advance for any observations y'all may have.


 
ateal

Hi chakster, I am, alas, not familiar with Miyajima carts you mentioned

but well with Miyabi Standard. Takeda san the designer is actually

discovered by M. Levinson who ordered ''his'' carts by Takeda and

sold under his own. (firm) name. His ''Cello'' is the most beautiful cart

ever made in my opinion. Krell copied Levinson and sold two models

under his own name. Both made unwillingly P&R for Takeda who later on

produced the same cart under his own brand  ''Miyabi''. Alas not enymore

available but certainly one of the best carts ever produced. I hope I will not

 get reprimand from Raul or Syntax for my opinion?

I don't remember postfix ''f'' after Mk 3 but I compared the FR-1

with my series 7 carts : FR-7f, FR-7 fz and 702. The FR-1 was

very good with piano music but the 7 series are in a different

league. That is why I sold the FR-1. to andremusik. For a ''modest

price'' btw.

What's the difference between F and FZ models, Nandric ?
Seems like FZ are the rarest and more expensive.

I believe those FR-7 with spherical tip is not interesting compared to F and FZ with advanced stylus profile (which some with different coils as well) ?

Tonearms designed for low compliance Denon or SPU should be good for Fidelity Research F7 cartridges?