2. analog
  3. 1243274438

Fidelity Research cartridges

Any FR cartridge experts out there? Raul? Dertonarm? Syntax?
I have had an FR-7 which I bought a while ago. I tried it ever so briefly when I got it on an arm I now recognize as not being able to handle that weight (close, but no cigar). I just now pulled it out for kicks and after getting it adjusted with the big counterweight, I am VERY pleasantly surprised. Actually, I'm feeling kind of bubbly. It does not dig out the utmost in detail, but it just sounds very right.

Are there any other FR carts out there which are real steals if still in good condition? I know the MC-702 and the FR-1Mk2 and Mk3f by name, with good reps being assigned to the Mk3 and the MC-702. Given that the MC-702 and the FR-7 look quite similar, and they were offered at about the same time, what is different? And is the FR-7 just an integrated headshell version of the FR-1Mk3?
t_bone
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
Dear endgewear, Ikeda produced at least 4 different tonearms.
To know if he was consistent one should know geometry of
each of them. I do remember ( vague) that some Russian cart
producer uses ivory for his cart bodies . The ''theory'' seems
to be based on acoustic properties of, say, ''bones'' . I think that
I have some ''hammer'' mede from bone in my ear. But this is
my limited medical knowledge. Besides I have seen so many
different materials for the bodies , even naked (aka without body)
kinds that I have no idea what or whom to believe(grin). Alas I
sold all other FR-7 kinds except FR-7 fz. So no chance to check. Besides I moved on to those cantileverless kinds with 9 REX as my latest purchase. 
 
bukanona
174 posts
 
Dear Nandric, if you mean Aidas brand cartridge, he's not Russian (I mean master) and it's mammoth tusk.  If you do mentioned 9REX could you compare it with FR-7fz? Which VTF you use for 9REX? 

I will try to revive Ikeda 9EM soon.  
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
Dear bukanonas, Probably because mammoth tusk are found in 
Russia I confused the producers (grin). I love FR-fz as much as
the 9 REX. The REX is latest in the series 9 cantileverless kinds 
with unbelievable compliance. Recommended VTF 1.5 g. I use
1.7 g. Wish you luck with 9EM. 
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,112 posts
 
Dear @edgewear : """ but I don’t hear the sonic benefits compared to Stevenson, so I decided to stick with Ikeda’s original specifications.."""


It’s weird, for say the least, that you can’t be abble/aware of the quality performance in cartridges running with Lôfgren A alignment and Stevenson alignment when the last one has way higher tracking distortion levels in all recorded LP surfce but the lAst 3mm.
Something is wrong down there with your room/system resolution levels or even with your ears sensitivity or the overall analog rig and set up.

R.


chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@nandric FR-702. According to Syntax this one
is made for European market. I am also not sure about that but
well that this one has shorter cantilever than the rest.

Probably refurbished sample if it’s shorter, just guessing

@edgewear On visual inspection the cantilever of the MC-702 doesn’t appear to be any shorter. This can be deceptive, but it is confirmed by the fact that it exactly hits the three ’o’ points of the Stevenson alignment on the Feickert protractor, just like the other three.

More to discover