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Correct alignment for Fidelity Research 64fx/SPU?

Hello,

I've recently paired SPU Spirit with FR64fx (& additional counterweight).

FR64fx is mounted at 230mm pivot to spindle distance on my Garrard 301.

I currently experience a light distortion and mistracking. As I tried the SPU before on almost ad hoc mounted 3012 and that sounded technically correct (though not as convincing as with FR64fx in terms of emotional performance), I'm pretty convinced I will need to realign the tonearm.

I would appreciate any info related to an experience of 64/SPU users here, which would differ from a usual 230m PTS alignment. Also, I keep on reading that Stevenson alignment would be preferred, is there any explanation why so?

Basically I need to make a good decision as I have no armboard - whatever decision I make I will need to get a new top board with a new hole for a new alignment.

Many thanks!
anubisgrau
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rauliruegas
12,874 posts
 
@edgewear : I own both tonearms too and cartridges performs different mounted on each of these tonearms and different because both designs are different and not only in the EL characteristics but the kind iof pivot design: fixed vs unipivot.

It's not easy that two persons can be in agreement in this subject damped vs non-damped tonearms when the premises of those persons are different ( with different room/systems too. ) and obviously full of subjectivity.
Btw, from some time now I'm not with unipivot any more even that I still own unipivots designs.

Anyway, i understand your points.

R.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Yeah, i know

Great tonearms in my opinion

I can’t hear distortion with Stevenson alignment using 64fx+W250+N60 with FR-7fz...

Your thought on 64s vs. Ikeda 345 if you have one (my version is rare matt finishing) ?



lewm
12,576 posts
 
Raul, what are your current favorite tonearms? Thanks.
edgewear
543 posts
 
@rauliruegas the box of my AC-4400 says 'double points oil damped' tonearm. So not unipivot, contrary to the AC-3000/4000. In any case it doesn't 'wobble' like unipivots do.

@chakster I have no personal experience with Ikeda 345, so can't answer your question. 

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rauliruegas
12,874 posts
 
@edgewear : Yes I know is a double point but it's not a fixed bearing as FR or Technics or other true fixed tonearm designs. A fixed tonearm pivot design is a lot more stable than a single or dual pivot designs.

R.
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