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FR64 cartridge suggestions

Been out of the loop for quite a few years due to some 'life' events, with system in storage.

I have been able to pull my system from storage, and last year worked enough overtime to upgrade or purchase new equipment, but I have not upgraded my turntable/tonearm/cartridge yet.

My turntable is a Technics SL1000 MKII which for those not familiar, is the Technics SP10 MKII turntable mounted on a factory plinth.
I have two Technics B-500 bases with an 'E' armwand and 'H' armwand that I don't use.
The tonearm I do use is a Fidelity Research FR64, so I need a low compliance cartridge.
The cartridge I used last is a vintage Fidelity Research FR-1 MK3 F, which needs to be re-tipped, and I will do so once I get a replacement.

The rest of the system includes:

Zesto 1.2 Andros tube phono stage
Zesto 1.5 tube preamp
Quicksilver V4 tube amps (new KT150 version)
Green Mountain Audio Continuum 3 speakers
JL Audio 113 Fathom subwoofers (pair)

Curious what cartridges other high mass tonearm owners are using, especially those who use Fidelity Research FR64/66 tonearms.

Looking for cartridges under $2000 USD at most.. probably should spend half that.

I have over 20K records, so I am very anxious to get this back into service.

Really curious about suggestions and thanks in advance.



128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xrich121
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 
My experience echos others vis a vis effective mass- the fr64s is surprisingly flexible with carts of various compliance/weight. I have an fr7 and it is very nice but not fantastic. (Never tried better versions, have wondered about retipping mine with different styles profile). I got mine for well under $1k and it's musical and nice to listen to.
Since I import the Sensitive Sound carts I've tried the lighter ART series as well as the heavy weight bigger brothers and am quite pleased with the arm match to both...
So....if you're retipping your FR cart maybe decide if you want a different flavor, or maybe a mono cart? Variety is nice :)
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 

My buddy Don mentioned to me that  ddriveman wrote an update to

his ''mini-shootout'' . Don provided the reference but I was not able to

find this post. Well for such search one need to search in  the right

place. I assumed ''of course'' that this update was published in our

MM thread. However  this update is published in the ''old Fidelity

Research'' thread. In the mini-shootout the (collective) reviewers

were not able to  adjust Ikeda 9C,mk 3 optimal So while very

promising  this cart was not a real contender. Later on ddriveman

was able to provide Ikeda heashell and Ikeda headshell wire.

This resulted in an ''curious'' finding: he now prefers Ikeda 9C

above FR-7 fz. I would prefer if he had found that both are

equal  fantastic. So, dear Lew, you can change your mind and

 still accept my offer (grin)

BTW the update can be found by FR thread :  07-20-2018 .



rich121's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rich121 OP
187 posts
 
What is the opinion of either the SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC Star or the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze for the FR64s?


rich121's avatar
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rich121 OP
187 posts
 
Which would be more lively and dynamic?
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,966 posts
 
The Cadenza Bronze matches superbly with the FR64fx. Different setups, (actually the FR64fx is on the much cheaper table) but I definitely think it sounds better there than on my Graham Phantom (and it sounds pretty damn good on the Phantom too) - seems like there’s some extra synergy here. Haven’t tried it on the 64S yet, but I would expect the synergy to continue there too? The Bronze is really a different animal than the Ortofon Jubilee (predecessor of Cadenza Black) and Windfeld MC, which felt a bit off on the FR64fx.

The Bronze is extremely musical and dynamic in that setup; very impressive for the price. I'm now attempting to displace it with a new Shelter Accord, and that's certainly got some more burn-in and tweaking to go. 
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