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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
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
IMO if it’s good cartridge MC has to be superior. Don’t get me wrong - it’s my opinion, it’s subjective to my hearing apparatus :)

It depends on the choice of MM/MI, i don’t use ordinary MM cartridges at all, after a years on audiogon i realized that some people never tried a good MM and don’t know about certain models. I’ve mentioned convenience earlier, this is the goal of MM (when we have many spare styli with different profiles, different cantilevers). Actually MM/MI can be very good even compared to top MC.

But anyway, i like both types (MM and MC) and it’s interesting. In my system i have two identical turntables with 2 tonearms on each turntable, so i can compare everything. FR-64fx with N60 and FR 7fz cartridge is always there in use.

I do not listen to classical music as Nandric, jazz, funk and soul from the 60s/70s is what i listen to (mostly).

nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
Dear chakster, there was an thread about ''old school tonearms''
or similar. There are of course also ''old school  gentlemen''.
Your kind of music was (back) then not considered as ''decent''.
Decent was only classical music with exception of national (folk) music. The excuse was of course patriotism. 
Curious how ''decency'' can change as function of time. I got
so to speak an reproach in the sense ''those old people like only
classical music''. However those ''old scold'' regarded your kind
of music as noise not as music. Comparing funk with, say, Bach
is a kind of sacrilege. No wonder you like MM kinds (grin).
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
However those ’’old scold’’ regarded your kind
of music as noise not as music. Comparing funk with, say, Bach
is a kind of sacrilege. No wonder you like MM kinds (grin).

@nandric

Impressionism in Art was considered as rubbish in the beginning, so what?

Different strokes for different folks.

I was working in Saint Petersburg Philharmonia for half year and was listening to classical music live on stage, not on the records. This is one of the best place for classical music in Russia.

But my musical taste is different than yours, what’s the problem? My age is also way different.

For me and for many others the 70’s is probably the best period of time for music in many genres, no matter is it rock (which i don’t like) or jazz-funk and soul. If i stuck in 20th century then where you’re, in the 18th century?

P.S. I like both MM and MC cartridges, but i do not listen to classical music at all, sorry.

I have Bach LP, local pressing from the 60's, never played it, the cover looks very nice :) 


nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
Dear chakster, I was only teasing you. On the Balkan we have very
exciting folk music. It is more popular than classical or jazz. 
But what do you mean with ''My age is also way different''? 
 I see that you admire many carts which I also admire. Those
are primary MC kinds but our consensus suggest no relation to
age (grin). 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Discovered an interesting sample of the Fidelity-Research FR-7f

The cartridge body is silver color just like older FR-7, but the model is FR-7F (which is normally black). 

Silver body version of the FR-7f must be rare, probably from the first bunch with low serial numbers. 

The difference is only color (since visually it's FR-7f) ? 

Anyone ? 
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