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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
13,111 posts
 
Dear @bdp24  : ""  is at the pickup/cartridge/headshell end of the tonearm...""

I agree because it's there where exist the very first " touch " in between cartridge and tonearms self generated vibrations/resonances/distortions and its feedback.

That's why is so important that pivoted tonearms can comes with removable headshell design for in this way the system owner can choose and test diferent headshells that can help to that damping cartridge needs.

The damping approach at the tonearm headshell does not means the tonearm overall damping work is finished because that tonearm has different points along its design that needs damping in cartridge signal benefits. But yes, at the tonearm headshell the most advantageous and many times not an easy task to have it exactly there.

R.
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rauliruegas
13,111 posts
 
@lewm  : For me over the EPA-100 is with out doubt the MAX-282. This tonearm comes with 3 diferent arm wands where one of them is a removable headshell J shape wand.
It comes with a silicon oil facility at the pivot position and its unique gyroscopic type bearing is just a beauty.

But not only is a great tonearm design but really good quality performer that permits that the cartridges can make very good job.

I think that you need to own it. I don't have it any more because I just do not need it due to my own tonearm design. As with other very good tonearms I finished putting on sale and sold fast.

R.
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bdp24
9,981 posts
 
@lewm, my idea? Heck no! What did I say that gave you that impression?
lohanimal
659 posts
 
Well i read this with some interest as i am making a few armboards for my turntables at the minute, so i will make an fr64s board for my own Townshend Rock Elite - i will let u know the results. That said i bought a plastic townshend trough to be used on a sony tts 8000. I think the trough is genius. I had a very informative discussion with an arm maker and he said that the silicone used is so thick in part to stop dripping. A thinner oil will get the same results without over straining the cantilever (which can be a problem with off centre records). @rauliruegas whilst there are other arm resonances the damping trough kills them at source and that energy is put into the silicone - a different head-shell still dissipates into the arm.
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