FR66s vs Ikeda IT-407 CR tonearms

@montesquieu

I have an early IT-407 and a post 2011 IT-345 CR1 and both seem to me to be far better arms than the FR64s. I put this down to the additional vertical bearing - the FR64s has only one, on one side, whereas the 407/345 have two, one each side. This has many advantages not least longevity. Other than that the designs are pretty similar and indeed many bits are interchangeable (I had an 64 and 345 at the same time for a short while and was able to compare directly on a well sorted TD124 with Miyajima Madake, Zero mono, assorted SPU cartridges and an Ikeda 9C.
Never found either of them that hard to set up either - using SPU standard distance (which I use for all my cartridges) the 345 is spot on at recommended 230mm, the early 407 need set back about 1.6mm, job done, no need to fuss any further.

Great, as a new Miyajima Kansui proud owner, i was thinking about Ikeda tonearms after all. I know @nandric will kill me, because i already have FR-64s which i did not even mounted yet and using FR-64fx instead :))

The FR64s is a very good arm but there’s a strong case (which happens to be my opinion too) that the Ikeda-branded arms are better - improved vibration control, significantly improved bearings, similar (slightly but not massively) less mass for a more expanded list of compatible cartridges, and in my view more successful aesthetics. If your preference is for the FR arm then fine make the case all you like, but for all the shouting in the above post, it’s a matter of opinion, not in any way ’case closed’.

We have different opinions here regarding Old vs. New in this thread, this is all very interesting. I was fascinating about Ikeda IT-345 in early matte finish (definitely not in mirror finishing). I can’t even thing about FR-66s because of the price, no way. But a used Ikeda IT-345 is more realistic, finally i will be able to compare 64s (with B60) & 64fx (with N60) to Ikeda IT-345 since i have some nice cartridges for them all (Miyajima Kansui, FR-7fz, Ikeda 9 III). I even sold some killer spare copies of my best MM to invest in Ikeda tonearm, today is a good day. What a hobby? Damn 

I have never owned or heard an Ikeda tonearm other than those made under the Fidelity research label. However my FR 64S tonearm with “silver inside” mounted in a B60 base on a custom heavy metal tonearm mounting board continues to be the best sounding tonearm that I own with any cartridge I choose, regardless of compliance. Currently using a 10g carbon fiber headshell as recommended by Halcro. I would be tempted to get it re-wired with “new” silver, but I am loathe to part with it even for the length of time needed to get the work done.

Am i correct that IT-345 and IT-345 CR-1 are two different versions?

The Ikeda IT-345 is from the mid 90's:

■ Price: 210,000 yen (in 1996)
■ Model: Dynamic balance type
■ Total length: 326mm
■ Run length: 245mm
■ Over hang: 15mm
■ Tracking error: + 2 ° ~ -1 ° 21 '
■ Steering pressure range: 0 ~ 5g (0.5g step)
■ Arm Height adjustment: 25 to 60 mm 

■ Arm base hole: 31 mm

■ With anti-skate device
■ With arm lifter
■ Lateral balancer　
■ Cartridge self-weight: 6 to 38.5 g
■  sale April 1996

■ Maximum mounting thickness 35mm
■ Arm pipe is stainless steel.

my FR 64S tonearm with “silver inside” mounted in a B60 base

I didn't know you had the FR-64s with the silver wiring just as I have Lew...?
Like you.....I also find it great

with any cartridge I choose, regardless of compliance.

What do you think of the Yamamoto Carbon Fiber HS-4 headshell?

BTW here is the manual for IT-407 CR-1

Anyone can explain me what is "CR-1" ? What does it mean ?