2. analog
  3. 135227-71092

Which pickup do I sell, which do I keep?

My analog setup:
Verdier la Platine with 3 arms/pickups:
1) SME V / London Decca Reference
2) Fidelity Research FR 64 s / Kondo Audio Note Io ii
3) Fidelity Research FR 64 fx / SoundSmith DL 103 R Gold OR Koetsu Coralstone

I´m in a real dilemma here. Tonally, the SoundSmith DL 103 R gold is extremely close to the Koetsu Coralstone, and sounds gorgeous, very dynamic. The Koetsu may have a little more to give in the bass, but it´s very close. 

Now, I dont´t really think that there is enough room for a fourth arm on the Verdier. And if I could fit in one more arm, I would have to buy a second phono amp. (My Manley Steelhead can only cater for three pickups) .

As far as I can see, one of the pickups has to go. Either I sell the Koetsu Coralstone. That would probably be easy, but I would probably take a heavy financial loss. Less so if I sell the SoundSmith, but it would probably be a heavier sell. It´s not a well-known pickup, and I don´t really want to let it go. 

Looking for opinions, advice. 


tkr
brf
1,715 posts
 
Why not just get another FR 64 headshell?
tkr OP
100 posts
 
Now, that is a good idea! 
lewm
13,457 posts
 
tkr, You seem to have an elaborate system, although you don't mention downstream components.  But I get the impression that selling one of these 4 cartridges is not a matter of economic necessity.  So, I'd say keep them all.  Most of us nuts own more than 4 cartridges and think nothing of it.  In fact, I cannot imagine paring down to only 4.

PS. If you do get a second headshell for your FR64S, try something other than the ones made by FR for the 64S.  By all accounts, they are not so great. (I too own an FR64S but I have never played with any FR headshell; I am just repeating scuttlebutt.)
tkr OP
100 posts
 
Thanks!
I did exactly that. I found an Ortofon headshell, mounted the Coralstone in my FR 64 FX, and tried it out. It sounded better than it did in the SME V, and it won`t be sold anytime soon. 

Downstream equipment: Metric Halo ULN 8 ADC/DAC/Pre/digital crossover- biamped into CJ Premier 350/CJ ET 250S- Overkill Encore loudspeakers
ps68
230 posts
 
tkr,

Another headshell you could perhaps consider is the Nasotec Swing headshell, it is an unusual design but my opinion is it really excels in my SAEC we506, and could in either of your FR's too.

I would be ever so grateful if you could describe the SME V/ London Ref sound in comparison to the FR 64s/ Kondo, and if you mount the Koetsu in this how that sounds too, compared to the LR. It is a wonderful system you have assembled there!

Many thanks and kind regards..


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