FR66s vs Ikeda IT-407 CR tonearms

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 ?

My Ikeda IT-345 tonearm has arrived, matte finishing, not a CR-1.
Arm tube is stainless steel.   

Everything about this model is great, my first impression is very positive about every part of this tonearm. Actually i feel that it is better made than my FR-64s sample. It is a third model of FR/Ikeda in my collection: 64fx, 64s and now IT-345