Anyone have experience with Fidelity Research FR-54 & FR24 tonearms?

Ok, my FR54 arrived today. The counterweight looks like it may have been dropped once or twice. Rather than wait until I get home I figure I'll ask here. Does anyone know if the counter weight from a FR24 will fit the FR54? If so I have a heavy brass counterweight that I bought locally that will fit.

Otherwise I'll wait until I get home and post my results on here.

I hadn't paid attention to the arms effective length and overhang. I must say that I'm absolutely delighted that they're identical to the JVC QL7's stock tonearm. This will be a straight swap ;)

If I'm lucky the standard arm will use a DIN connector, otherwise I'll need to order a new itnerconnect. If it comes down to that, these look decent and are low cost: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/322253640966?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
 
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That interconnect does look good. The ads for it are just not pictured properly. Has stock photos for the RCA-RCA, the MiniDIN to RCA and the right angle MiniDIN to RCA. other than the title one might not know what the are getting. Be nice if they went to all the trouble of actually putting together a listing for each of the options.
 
It may be worthwhile getting one just as a spare even if I don't need it. They look pretty decent.
 
It may be worthwhile getting one just as a spare even if I don't need it. They look pretty decent.
The Pound is really weak right now

FIFY

I missed that you are in Australia and have lost a bit of buying power with your currency, too. Still that is a nice price on that interconnect.
 
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Ok, my FR54 arrived today. The counterweight looks like it may have been dropped once or twice. Rather than wait until I get home I figure I'll ask here. Does anyone know if the counter weight from a FR24 will fit the FR54? If so I have a heavy brass counterweight that I bought locally that will fit.

Otherwise I'll wait until I get home and post my results on here.

I hadn't paid attention to the arms effective length and overhang. I must say that I'm absolutely delighted that they're identical to the JVC QL7's stock tonearm. This will be a straight swap ;)

If I'm lucky the standard arm will use a DIN connector, otherwise I'll need to order a new itnerconnect. If it comes down to that, these look decent and are low cost: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/322253640966?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Same measurements? Big bonus, that. i ended up with a Nottingham Ace on my Rek-O-Kut because the match was perfect. Let us know how it comes together....
 
I may see if I can install this tonight along with Dynamat treatment..... Considering veneering the table while I have it apart. Just have to order some stick on veneer ;)

I've my fingers crossed on the counter weight being interchangeable though if not I'll sand this on back and spray paint with a silver paint with satin finish. It appears to have had a few drops. The arm is mint though. either way, good enough for an initial listen. I've a new stanton headshell on the way as these seem to be the only inexpensive, current production headshells where I can set a cartridge far enough back to work really well with these arms. Should suit the JVC well enough though I want to order a wooden one for the Ariston ;)
 
My Hana EL for the most part. Possibly my mahogany bodied, elliptical tipped Denon DL103 from time to time too. This is my system for moving coils. The Ariston downstairs is almost exlusively for MM/MI carts although my shibata tipped Denon DL303 is nice down there too.
 
Here you go.... It looks a bit rough though it would work just fine. Just cosmetics really:

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yeah it is a bummer but unless you have a replacement that happens to be the exact size and weight of the original, I would stick with the stock weight. stick the dented side to the back and you'll never notice it. good luck man,
 
My Hana EL for the most part. Possibly my mahogany bodied, elliptical tipped Denon DL103 from time to time too. This is my system for moving coils. The Ariston downstairs is almost exlusively for MM/MI carts although my shibata tipped Denon DL303 is nice down there too.
Maybe a heavier shell then, something like the Sumiko HS-12 or an Orsonic maybe? The azimuth adjustment they have is nice as well.
 
Darn, looks like the JVC UA-5045 tonearm is hardwired in there. I've ordered that new IC which should do nicely. The FR24 counterweight definitely doesn't fit so I guess I'll sand this one back and paint it satin silver.
 
In the kitchen...:king:

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Haha, just need some in the bathroom and in the shower shots now.... Audio porn! :p

yeah it is a bummer but unless you have a replacement that happens to be the exact size and weight of the original, I would stick with the stock weight. stick the dented side to the back and you'll never notice it. good luck man,

While I was handling it some of the paint caught and peeled off..... So definitely going to sand it back and re-paint ;)

Gray Market is a term used for products sold outside their intended market as alluded to in fiddlefye's post. Common when discussing German cars of the 80s when one could save some serious thousands of dollars bringing in a car built for the European market. Even after the costs of conversion (headlights downgraded to sealed beam, side guard door beams installed, bumpers reinforced to 5mph standards, catalytic converters installed), a $30,000 US version of the car could be had for a number of thousands less and might even have a more powerful version of the same motor. The DM to $ conversion was such that this was easily done by many. Porsche, BMW and M-B had lots of cars imported as grey market cars.

Those FR tonearms are nice. An FR-64s with an Ortofon MC-30 Super is a very nice combination.

Yes, its a common term with IT goods sold outside fo their intended market too
 
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Years ago I had a Denon DL30 DD TT. I thought it was quite a step up from the basic Yamaha TT I owned. I started reading about suspended turntables and that many felt were superior to DD TT's. I found an original AR XA TT for $100 bucks. I purchased it and did a comperason of the two. They both had the same cartridge going through the same system. I was blown away at how much difference there was between the two. With the AR there was air around the musicians, the soundstage wasn't flat, it had front to back depth. Over the years I have had quite a few different TT's both DD and suspended. This effect has always been the case between the two. I have now just purchased a Thorens TD-124 and a Fidelity Research FR-54 arm to mount to it. So I will have another drive system to try.....
 
Years ago I had a Denon DL30 DD TT. I thought it was quite a step up from the basic Yamaha TT I owned. I started reading about suspended turntables and that many felt were superior to DD TT's. I found an original AR XA TT for $100 bucks. I purchased it and did a comperason of the two. They both had the same cartridge going through the same system. I was blown away at how much difference there was between the two. With the AR there was air around the musicians, the soundstage wasn't flat, it had front to back depth. Over the years I have had quite a few different TT's both DD and suspended. This effect has always been the case between the two. I have now just purchased a Thorens TD-124 and a Fidelity Research FR-54 arm to mount to it. So I will have another drive system to try.....
That should be a really nice pairing. My FR-24 is going to be mated with a TD-125 before long.
 
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