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Fidelity Research FR7F history/changes

Recently fell in love with a front end I was supposed to be trying to sell for a friend that included this cartridge. Wonderful bass,dynamics, delineation of instruments with nice harmonics,... I bought the front end & recently bought a back up cartridge as well. What prompts the question is the minor cosmetic differences (believe they both are 6 digit serial numbers) - the 1st one (the magic 1) has a vertical stripe in front and seems to have a slightly different body size (the stylus guard of the 2nd cartridge does not quite fit; and the marked playback differences-the 2nd cart does not have the "technicolor" presentation of the 1st. It is OK but not what I was hoping for(It was supposed to have low hours and I saw nothing under the scope to contradict that). If there are experts or resources out there to fill me in, please do since when the time comes to retip, I assume that the magic might go away & I may need to hunt down another one & will need to figure out what criteria to look for to make sure I do not buy another that has less magic. Best wishes, LS
trytone
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I have a rare FR-7f in a silver body with 2 digits serial number, I sold my previous black FR-7f after I bought more expensive FR-7fz. I do not re-tip vintage cartridges, I prefer NOS samples.

I must admit that FR-7f and FR-7Fz are amazing LOMC cartridges, especially for FR-66fx and FR-64s tonearms.

Now I have two FR-7fz and one FR-7f (silver). You can check some in my system. 

You will find all information about these cartridges on audiogon.
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
I agree with chakster except with his ''prejudice'' against re-tips. 
This FR 7 series is from 80is. As everybody should know worn out
styli are devastating for the records. Besides one can get ''modern
stylus'' in comparison with the ''old kinds''. Certainly so by ''Expert
stylus'' in UK. 
totem395
390 posts
 
Additionally NOS may well suffer from suspension issues 
rendering an otherwise unused stylus caput.

Note the "may" dependant on materials of construction and 
Environmental conditions.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@totem395 you never owned FR-7 series, because you don’t even know about SEALED SUSPENSION, clever design from Ikeda-San. This cartridge NEVER suffer from suspension problem! Never ever!

NOS sample of the FR-7f (or fz) is a Holy Grail! :)
totem395
390 posts
 
Nowhere did I mention the FR-7 cart as having suspension problems, but as often as you mention
all your NOS cartridges available its prudent to note
the relevant pitfalls.


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