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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
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
12,592 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
12,882 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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rauliruegas
12,882 posts
 
Dear @lewm  : I like well damped tonearms with fixed bearing pivot and with removable headshell.

Vintage Technics and Lustre are inside those characteristics along AT design. All internally re-wired.

From some time now I'm using my own designed and builded tonearm and my favorite with any mounted cartridge.

From today and even that some have non removable headshell: Triplanar, Audio Note, Davinci, Durand ( fixed pivot design. ), Kuzma 4 point, SME, Thales, Reed, Townshend. I have no experiences with the fixed VPI but I can think is a good design.

Now, my take is that for any audiophile the favorite tonearm is that that gives the best quality performance levels match with the cartridge he own, at the end these couple is whom has the " last word " about.


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
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