Fidelity Research FR64s Headshell dilemma

Oyaide HS CF is also a good one if you need the extra head(shell)room. But this is a low mass carbon fiber shell. So maybe not the best choice for the 64s, unless you have the W-170 counter weight to compensate.

Karl, I heretofore was under the impression that the distance of 230 mm was the original recommended pivot to spindle distance for the FR 64S, which implies it is for Stevenson alignment. The distance of 231.5 mm was recommended to me by a well-known guru who shall remain nameless, and I assumed he was assuming I would use Baerwaldt alignment. Therefore I have gone through life since then in the belief that 231.5 mm was the choice for Baerwald and 230 mm was the choice for Stevenson. It certainly is the pivot to spindle distance originally recommended by Ikeda. Note there are two assumptions involved. Raul has corrected me on this thread and noted that the distance of 231.5 mm can be used for either alignment. And I think he is correct.

You can run either alignment, Stevenson or Baerwald, at either P2S. The only issue is cartridges with an integrated headshell like the FR7 because you cant alter their angle in the shell.
Furthermore, because the FR64S does not have offset bearings there is no advantage in having the cartridge straight in the headshell.
I have run Baerwald at both 230 & 231.5 - I can hear the difference, it is subtle, but the tracking angle error is reduced at the 231.5 - the sound is smoother and more integrated.
The original reason for 231.5 was as much as due to the balance of the arm and to minimise what is described as "break torque" as it was for alignment purposes.

With manufacturer recommended PS distance, measured by Feickert protractor, using one headshell with slots, i can reach all 3 alignment methods for the same cartridge.

The difference is that only with ONE alignment method my cartridge will be parallel to the headshell, with any other methods a cartridge must be twisted in the headshell or the cantilever and cartridge body will be way off!

I don’t want to change PS distance. Why i have to?

All i need is the right headshell to move a cartridge slightly forward and twist it a bit to make it in line not with my shell, but with Baerwald or Lofgren lines printed on the protractor. This is what happens when the arm designed for use with Stevenson must be re-adjusted for something else without changing PS distance.

It has nothing to do with PS distance, buy yourself a nice headshell first!

Another exaple is Technics tonearm on SL1200GAE, you can't change PS, and the alignment is NOT Baerwald or Lofgren, this tonearm is very close to Stevenson. Headshell with slots is all we need to re-align any cartridge quickly.

Thanks all.  I bet the Arche head shell would work!  I was re-reading the SmartTractor instructions and the two example tonearms are the FR66S and the FR64S.  The man likes his Ikedas.