For me, a particularly interesting comparison because, unless Iâm mistaken, the first in which the tone arm and turntable are the same for both cartridges. Even playing field and, arguably, the first truly âhonestâ comparison.
FR-7f:
- The better tracker of the two. Both exhibit audible breakup on Screaming Jayâs screams, but noticeably less so with the 7f.
- Sibilants are better controlled with the 7f.
- 7f is fuller sounding
- 7f is slightly more ârefinedâ sounding
So, the 7f is the better cartridge? Not so fast.
FR-7fz:
- In spite of its less extended high frequency spec, with the 7fz one doesnât hear the obvious high frequency âceilingâ that one hears with the 7f. I hear more high frequency air with the 7fz. The 7fz sounds more linear while the 7f sounds slightly tubby and rounded by comparison. (So much for specs telling the story). I think this is the reason that:
- 7fz sounds slightly more rhythmically incisive. The leading edge of the sound of the rhythm instruments is more natural and incisive with the 7fz while the 7f dulls those leading edges slightly. As a result the wonderful triplet rhythm of the tune is more âgroovyâ with the 7fz.
- It took me several listens to figure out whether the rhythm instrument playing on 2 and 3 of the triplets was an unusual sounding keyboard or a guitar. The 7fz let me hear that it is, in fact, a guitar (sounds like a guitar with nylon strings). The 7f obscures this detail.
- Also contradicting the specs, the 7fz sounds very slightly less loud than the 7f. Probably a psychoacoustic result of the fuller character of the 7f.
Very close comparison; but, for me, the 7fz wins; sounds closer to real. J Caar is exactly correct (no surprise): âthe top end extension is a little curtailed.â For me, more so with the 7f and while both sound very good they both sound âdatedâ.
Fun recording and thanks for the opportunity to hear these classic cartridges.
FR-7f:
- The better tracker of the two. Both exhibit audible breakup on Screaming Jayâs screams, but noticeably less so with the 7f.
- Sibilants are better controlled with the 7f.
- 7f is fuller sounding
- 7f is slightly more ârefinedâ sounding
So, the 7f is the better cartridge? Not so fast.
FR-7fz:
- In spite of its less extended high frequency spec, with the 7fz one doesnât hear the obvious high frequency âceilingâ that one hears with the 7f. I hear more high frequency air with the 7fz. The 7fz sounds more linear while the 7f sounds slightly tubby and rounded by comparison. (So much for specs telling the story). I think this is the reason that:
- 7fz sounds slightly more rhythmically incisive. The leading edge of the sound of the rhythm instruments is more natural and incisive with the 7fz while the 7f dulls those leading edges slightly. As a result the wonderful triplet rhythm of the tune is more âgroovyâ with the 7fz.
- It took me several listens to figure out whether the rhythm instrument playing on 2 and 3 of the triplets was an unusual sounding keyboard or a guitar. The 7fz let me hear that it is, in fact, a guitar (sounds like a guitar with nylon strings). The 7f obscures this detail.
- Also contradicting the specs, the 7fz sounds very slightly less loud than the 7f. Probably a psychoacoustic result of the fuller character of the 7f.
Very close comparison; but, for me, the 7fz wins; sounds closer to real. J Caar is exactly correct (no surprise): âthe top end extension is a little curtailed.â For me, more so with the 7f and while both sound very good they both sound âdatedâ.
Fun recording and thanks for the opportunity to hear these classic cartridges.