Here and elsewhere the question has been asked what is the exact difference between FR7f and FR7fz. As far as I can detect with my fairly basic magnifier, they have the same cantilever and the same stylus, called 'refined line contact'.
It is documented that the specs are different: FR7fz has higher output (0.24 mV versus 0.2 mV) and higher impedance (5 ohm versus 3 ohm) than FR7f (and basic FR7). While the reason for this difference is unclear, most users who have compared them have a preference for the FR7fz. Myself included, although I must say the MC702 comes really really close.
In corona lockdown you start doing weird things, so I did a close inspection of all my cartridges. And whaddayouknow? I'd swear I can see that the FR7fz has silver coils, instead of copper as in the case of FR7f (and MC702). I remember reading somewhere that the first batch of the original FR7 had silver coils. So perhaps Ikeda revisited the initial model with the FR7fz, incorporating some of the design improvements he made along the way. A final statement of sorts, 'Z' being the last letter of the alphabet.
But 'Z' is also the first letter of 'zilver', the Dutch word for silver. Now why didn't I think of that before? 😂
It is documented that the specs are different: FR7fz has higher output (0.24 mV versus 0.2 mV) and higher impedance (5 ohm versus 3 ohm) than FR7f (and basic FR7). While the reason for this difference is unclear, most users who have compared them have a preference for the FR7fz. Myself included, although I must say the MC702 comes really really close.
In corona lockdown you start doing weird things, so I did a close inspection of all my cartridges. And whaddayouknow? I'd swear I can see that the FR7fz has silver coils, instead of copper as in the case of FR7f (and MC702). I remember reading somewhere that the first batch of the original FR7 had silver coils. So perhaps Ikeda revisited the initial model with the FR7fz, incorporating some of the design improvements he made along the way. A final statement of sorts, 'Z' being the last letter of the alphabet.
But 'Z' is also the first letter of 'zilver', the Dutch word for silver. Now why didn't I think of that before? 😂