Fidelity Research FR-64x

@lewm 

 I recalled that I used the Feickert protractor for alignment after setting the P2S at 231.5mm. Set to the Baerwald scale on the Feickert.

with conventional headshell, not with the FR-7f cartridge
right? 

Yes, and at 231.5 using the Feickert, I was easily able to achieve Baerwald.  So in this case, I trusted Dertonearm (who advised me to use 231.5 instead of the FR recommended 230mm P2S) and not FR.

On that other issue, it was actually due to my own experience that I came to the conclusion (right or wrong) that one ought to use the geometry for which the tonearm was intended by its designers.  When I set up a cartridge according to Baerwald in my Dynavector DV505 which was made for Stevenson or something near to it, the cartridge body was naturally at an angle with respect to the long axis of the head shell. Twisted inward a bit.  The result was distorted sound that I could easily hear.  I then took the same set-up and re-aligned it according to the Dynavector recommended geometry.  This effected a marked improvement.  I theorized that when the arc of the motion of the cantilever is not in line with the arc of the vertical bearing, this creates assymetrical forces on the cantilever, and that is not a good thing.  Such a problem may only pertain to the DV tonearms, where the two bearings (vertical and horizontal) are completely separate.  In a more conventional pivoted tonearm, the unification of the vertical and horizontal motion in one single bearing may allow for compensation, force-wise. I don't consider my little experience to be proof of my hypothesis, but it fits the facts so far.

Dear @chakster : Yes, I know that but the protractor is the one that came with the TT/tonearm unit where they have a space problem to mount it. As almost all japanese manufacturers Sony did not cares to much of the importance of tonearm/cartridge precise/accurate set up according the standard alignments and that's why you said the PUA-7 comes with a special geometry. It's special because does not goes with any of the standards but it's even worst than Stevenson A.

My advise is that you forget that protractor and make the tonearm/cartridge alignment set up using the Feickert you own, even if you choose again Stevenson A you will have lower distortion levels with the Feickert.

R.

Dear @lewm : I podted because your comment that could make your own alignment and you are rigth any one can, that was an example.

I'm posting here even that the FR tonearms are a bad design because the owners like you  can improve the quality performance level in the FR tonearm. I know that you don't care then is not for you but for the ones that cares about  making some " simple " changes in the overall alignment set up all can do it.

@ivelchev did it with out changing the P2S distance.

My take here in this alignment regards and with any pivoted tonearm is always that tif he arm board and tonearm headshell permit it set up the alignment choosing Löfgren A/Baerwald or B with a bit longer length that the manufacturer spec for effective length. How much longer?, as the set up permit it.

In that way the tracking error will goes down as the distortions levels and these means that we will have/listen more groove recorded information with less/lower degradation. Worth to do it .
That's why I told you to test 247mm/250mm on effective length using Löfgren A/Baerwald, you will receive better quality on what you are listening today. No doubt about. No, I don't care if you do or not.

Again, I know that you don't care and like in your Dynavector tonearm set up you follows the manufacturer specs even with higher distortions but that's you.

Through the years I learned the critical importance of turntable/tonearm/cartridge alignment set up and the importance that the set up be made it with accuracy.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.