Best cartridge for very old worn vinyl

@howardalex, I'm not familiar with Brinkmann TT, but if you have observed the P2S distance of the FR-66 according to FR's specs, than FR7's and SPU's should be correctly aligned. I have installed the FR-64S according to their spec (230mm) and they all 'hit' the three null points of the Stevensen alignment on the Feickert protector.

I'm aware some people use a different S2P distance on the FR64/66 to enable Berwald alignment, but if you do that all the integrated headshell types - their own FR7 as well as SPU's - will not be correctly positioned.

Your test seems to confirm the observation above that advanced stylus profiles are usually better suited to suppress surface noise on older records. The exception seems to be the FR-7fc, which has a conical stylus. In my experience this is usually the worst sounding profile, but perhaps Ikeda did something unusual with it.....

That's a pretty dreamy vinyl rig. I suspect you do have a clue how to adjust it ;)
Is the fr66s on a b60 mount?

The best version of a late 50s to early 60s Argo LP I will ever hear was a week or two ago when we went to the Kennedy Center Concert Hall to hear Ahmad Jamal perform on or near to his 88th birthday.  He was phenomenal; indeed, he is a phenomenon of age-defying virtuosity.  He even played Poinsienna [sp?] in a completely novel way.

@edgewear, thanks: the FR66 was installed in my Brinkman by the dealer, so I don’t know what P2S distance it has. Most definitely though all of the FR7s and SPUs don’t quite reach the single “bullseye” point on the Brinkman alignment protractor.
Without wishing to turn this into a huge technical debate or bringing Audiogon to the brink of nuclear war, if the distance is not correct and the stylus tip is slightly short of said point what sonic effects will that have in broad terms ?
I guess it ought to be capable of adjustment , but the Brinkman has a bespoke arm pod and it’s all pretty solid looking !

@solypsa, thanks for comment ! Yes it’s got the b60 mount which lifts/ lowers the base of the arm. Even I can adjust that, not the p2s I fear !