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Fidelity Research FR-64 vs. FR-54

In a prior discussion, I had asked about tonearm suggestions for a Luxman PD-441 table that currently has a Denon DA-307 tonearm and Grado The Reference high output cartridge.  Many suggestions were provided.  A Fidelity Research FR-64 was suggested as a simple replacement.  I'm wondering if the FR-54 would also be good, being that it is mentioned in the Luxman manual in the same category as the Denon arm on there now?
bdunne
dover
2,353 posts
 
Lewm
I do use the dynamic balance with my FR64S, largely because the Acutex cartridge is so light in weight that I cannot otherwise achieve VTF. I looked around for a heavier FR counter-wt, which would make it possible to balance the tonearm mechanically, but did not find one.
This don't make sense, if the Acutex is too light you would need a lighter counterweight. Most people have the 250g counterweight with the FR64S.
I have the W170 ( 170g ) lighter counterweight which is useful for lighter cartridges; you should try and get hold of one if you are going to use a variety of cartridges on your FR64S.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,287 posts
 

dover, Lewm may want a heavier counterweight because with the light one he has, even with it positioned all the way back on the cw stub, the arm still can not achieve the tracking force his cartridge requires---the front end of the arm, that ahead of the arms pivots, having too much mass to make that possible. A heavier weight WILL make it possible, as the cw will need to be closer to the arms pivots to balance the arm.

Anyone desiring a higher mass counterweight can attach to it the little lead weights that are available at hobby shops. They are backed with double-sided tape, thus can simply be stuck on the c/w.

lewm
13,785 posts
 
Dover, Your logic is impeccable. My memory was not, and anyway I should have thought more about what I wrote.  The actual case is that even with a slightly lighter than OEM headshell and even with the Acutex (lightweight) cartridge, the CW is very close to as close as it can get to the pivot, with the assembly just balanced horizontally, at zero VTF.  So I then used the dynamic to dial in VTF.  If anything, I need a lighter CW.  And your post reminds me that I did look for the W170 on eBay and Audiogon but have not found one.

I do in one sense like it the way I have it, because having the CW as close as possible to the pivot is a virtue in terms of minimizing effective mass, in view of the high compliance of the Acutex.

I suppose that to make a light CW heavier, you could also use those lead weights that are normally used in wheel balancing.  They would tape right up against a cylindrical CW, like the one on the FR64S.

dover
2,353 posts
 
Lewm,
The original W170 is hard to find. Best place is Japanese market.
This company makes copies....  
http://www.vcyoyo-mitsuke.jp/shopbrand/034/O/
dcbingaman
93 posts
 
The FR 64fx is anodized aluminum where the FR 64S is steel.  The big difference is the moving mass - 20 g for the 64fx vs. ~ 30 g for the 64S.  The 64fx and the 66fx are the most expensive arms FR made.  They are specialized arms intended for low compliance MC cartridges.  (If you don't like them, it is probably because of cartridge compliance mis-match.)  I am using my FR-64fx with a Koetsu Urushi and it is a match made in heaven.  My Koetsu guy says the Koetsu cartridge was developed to match the FR-64 arms and I believe it.  They also work really well with Ortofon SPU cartridges.

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