Fidelity Research tonearms

[mjw21a]

Ok, so I recently upgraded to a Koetsu Rosewood which I run on my JVC TT-71 turntable / Fidelity Research FR-54 tonearm combo. The thing is that I know the FR-54 was pretty much Fidelity Research's bottom of the line tonearm when it was available. While it is certainly a step up from my previous Victor UA-5045 tonearm I'm wondering whether I'd see benefits in going higher up the line.

I'm currently looking at the FR-14 as the more affordable offering though I guess I could stretch the budget to an FR-64. Both should be a drop in replacement with the same effective length.

I currently primarily run a Koetsu Rosewood, Supex SD900 Super, Fidelity Research FR-7 & FR-1 Mk3 as well as a few other assorted medium and low compliance MC's. On occasion I run some high compliance MM's which I know are a poor match for this arm.

Does anyone think either of these arms would be an improvement over the FR-54? I'm guessing the FR-14 might be more flexable with its lower effective mass and there are reports of people getting good pairings with the DL103 so I will probably be high mass enough though I'm not sure.

Opinions appreciated thanks guys

 

[Freddymac2]

For whatever it is worth, I have read that Sugano used a Fidelity Research arm when he made the early Koetsu Cartridges. I will also say that my early series Rosewood Long Body, seems to have better bottom end detail and texture with heavier arms. Back many years ago I had it on a Grace 707 and it didn't produce what I have now. I track it around 1.9 grams, with no IGD, but it did take more time to get it right after a Line Contact was installed on it. I probably should not have said anything because my system and TT is of very low quality by any ones standard. I can not afford to buy. $5000 tables and arms. I do know that there is a difference, but as long as long as the table doesn't make any noise, and maintains speed, it is good enough for me. I also know that the Rosewood I have doesn't resemble what you are using, but mine cost $600 back in the day. It pulls voice and detail off Tag Sale vinyl like nothing I have ever heard. .

 

[mjw21a]

I'm wondering whether putting a 18g headshell on a FR14 would do the trick? It would still be significantly less expensive than the FR64. It seems an easier arm to adjust than the older FR designs too. A similar age to the FR54 I believe.

For whatever it is worth, I have read that Sugano used a Fidelity Research arm when he made the early Koetsu Cartridges. I will also say that my early series Rosewood Long Body, seems to have better bottom end detail and texture with heavier arms. Back many years ago I had it on a Grace 707 and it didn't produce what I have now. I track it around 1.9 grams, with no IGD, but it did take more time to get it right after a Line Contact was installed on it. I probably should not have said anything because my system and TT is of very low quality by any ones standard. I can not afford to buy. $5000 tables and arms. I do know that there is a difference, but as long as long as the table doesn't make any noise, and maintains speed, it is good enough for me. I also know that the Rosewood I have doesn't resemble what you are using, but mine cost $600 back in the day. It pulls voice and detail off Tag Sale vinyl like nothing I have ever heard. .

Which tonearm and table are you running?

 

[Freddymac2]

OK don't cringe or laugh. It is on a stock Luxman PD 289, that I bought at a local thrift for $40. It had an old Denon 103 in it. I am older and do like the full auto functions it offers. I am currently rebuilding a Denon DP 52 F, for it but I also know that the servo arm isn't the best arm for the Koetsu, but I will give it a try.

 

[AudioSoul]

I have the Fr-54 that I am very happy with. I use a DL-103 on it. The arm that you are looking for the FR-14 is very rare. I have not seen one for sale in years. With the cart. you own I would seek out the FR-64. I know it is expensive but you won't be satisfied until you own it. If you are like me you will always be second guessing yourself. Things like, I should have waited and got the FR-64 will fill your head...

 

[jeremyjustic]

I love my two fr-54's, I've never heard the 64's but have lusted after them for years, just never came up on the right deal. One day I'll snag one, I've also been looking for a fr1 mk3f for a while, almost got one last month but was about to buy my house so spending money on audio gear was out of the question.

Please let us know if you do move up the FR line and your thoughts on what you get.

 

[mjw21a]

OK don't cringe or laugh. It is on a stock Luxman PD 289, that I bought at a local thrift for $40. It had an old Denon 103 in it. I am older and do like the full auto functions it offers. I am currently rebuilding a Denon DP 52 F, for it but I also know that the servo arm isn't the best arm for the Koetsu, but I will give it a try.

No need to worry about that. The Luxman is a very decent table. I was considering one until I got my JVC QL7. A far nicer table than many people have these days and quite a step up from the entry level Toshiba and Hitachi tables many of my mates run. Even those tables sound fantastic with the right amp, speakers and cartridge paired to them. The DL103 is a nice cartridge too, especially once you mod it

I damped my platter with Dynamat Extreme, then found it killed my dynamics despite giving better isolation from vibration. An aluminium platter mat restored the dynamics to give me the best of both worlds.

I have the Fr-54 that I am very happy with. I use a DL-103 on it. The arm that you are looking for the FR-14 is very rare. I have not seen one for sale in years. With the cart. you own I would seek out the FR-64. I know it is expensive but you won't be satisfied until you own it. If you are like me you will always be second guessing yourself. Things like, I should have waited and got the FR-64 will fill your head...

Mmmm, issue is that my brain seems to want me to take a gamble on the lesser known FR-14. This sort of thing happens to me a bit. I can't explain it. Also it looks like it has all the adjustments I could wish for.

If I got the FR64 I'd remain curious about the FR14.... Gah, this is a difficult decision.

I love my two fr-54's, I've never heard the 64's but have lusted after them for years, just never came up on the right deal. One day I'll snag one, I've also been looking for a fr1 mk3f for a while, almost got one last month but was about to buy my house so spending money on audio gear was out of the question.

Please let us know if you do move up the FR line and your thoughts on what you get.

Yes, I'm just curious if higher up the line is much better. I know that sonically the FR24 edges out the FR54. The FR54 is fantastically easy to use though and seems of a more solid construction compared to the FR24 despite the 24 sounding slightly better.

 

[mjw21a]

Ok, discussing purchase of a FR-14 with a chap here in Australia presently. I'm going to get a new plinth made soon to accomodate two tonearms on armboards for easy arm swaps. That way I can switch between the FR-14 and the FR-54 and have my Mayware Formula 4 installed for high compliance carts.

Have emailed Peter at Golden Age Audio regarding the plinth.

 

[AudioSoul]

Sounds like a good plan. Keep us informed....

 

[Hobie1dog]

With all this talk about FR, the prices on eBay will go up.

 

[mjw21a]

I think they've been going up a while now anyway....

 

[mjw21a]

Woohoo! My new to me FR-14 has arrived. A shame it will be at least 8 months until I have a plinth for it :S

Another bit of good news is that the box says "Silver inside leads"

I have the Fr-54 that I am very happy with. I use a DL-103 on it. The arm that you are looking for the FR-14 is very rare. I have not seen one for sale in years. With the cart. you own I would seek out the FR-64. I know it is expensive but you won't be satisfied until you own it. If you are like me you will always be second guessing yourself. Things like, I should have waited and got the FR-64 will fill your head...

I think I should attain an FR64 also and have a plinth made with armboards so I can easily swap arms.

I've been in contact with someone who has owned both the FR64 and FR14 and used them both with his Koetsu Rosewood. He preferred the FR14 with it. On the other hand the FR64 is clearly the best choice for my DL103's and FR-7. Why settle for just one great arm?

I love my two fr-54's, I've never heard the 64's but have lusted after them for years, just never came up on the right deal. One day I'll snag one, I've also been looking for a fr1 mk3f for a while, almost got one last month but was about to buy my house so spending money on audio gear was out of the question.

Please let us know if you do move up the FR line and your thoughts on what you get.

I'll post my results here. At the moment I'm trying to locate someone in Australia can build me a high mass dual arm plinth with arm boards so I can easily switch arms. Will have a Mayware Formula 4 mounted for MM's and Fidelity Research FR-14 / FR-54 for MC's. I may spring for a FR-64 eventually.

Rather jealous of your FR-1 Mk3F carts. The rising treble response is the only thing I don't like on my regular FR-1 Mk3's

 

[Blue Shadow]

Why look for fr64 if its very limited to heavier cartridges? Its beautiful looking but if can only use one or two types of cartridges whats the point? I got rid of mine for that reason

The FR-64 is not specific to heavy cartridge, it is specific to very low compliance cartridges. One I had came with a Koetsu and it sounded excellent with an Ortofon MC30Super, a bit low on the resonance calculator but damn excellent sound from that combo.

 

[mjw21a]

I'd say the FR-14 is more like a tweaked FR-24 Mk2 losing some of its weaknesses (like plastic bracket for the lifter). The 24 Mk2 compares favourably to a a Graham Phantom or so I've read.

The fellow did my arm setup runs an Audiomods arm with a Yamamoto YC-03S and said he was considering acquiring a FR-24 Mk2 after installing mine.

I still have a S.A.M Aldebaran with FR-14 and FR-64S arms installed. Planning to fit another 24 Mk2 and Denon DP70M tonearm to my JVC TT-71 when I get around to replinthing it. It has a 54 mounted presently.

 

[fiddlefye]

Woohoo! My new to me FR-14 has arrived. A shame it will be at least 8 months until I have a plinth for it :S

Another bit of good news is that the box says "Silver inside leads"

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I think I should attain an FR64 also and have a plinth made with armboards so I can easily swap arms.

I've been in contact with someone who has owned both the FR64 and FR14 and used them both with his Koetsu Rosewood. He preferred the FR14 with it. On the other hand the FR64 is clearly the best choice for my DL103's and FR-7. Why settle for just one great arm?



I'll post my results here. At the moment I'm trying to locate someone in Australia can build me a high mass dual arm plinth with arm boards so I can easily switch arms. Will have a Mayware Formula 4 mounted for MM's and Fidelity Research FR-14 / FR-54 for MC's. I may spring for a FR-64 eventually.

Rather jealous of your FR-1 Mk3F carts. The rising treble response is the only thing I don't like on my regular FR-1 Mk3's

Lovely thing, that is!

 

[bimasta]

That is an insanely beautiful tonearm. Of course that's secondary to how it sounds, but Ikeda made all those design/engineering/aesthetic decisions with one purpose — great sound. And he had your FR cartridges in mind. [I also use the FR1-Mk3F.]

As for your tunrtable — "JVC QL7. A far nicer table than many people have these days" — A friend told me that Mitch Cotter chose the same motor for his 'ultimate' turntable. OK, "a friend says" is just hearsay — but Mitch Cotter was a friend of his, so I give it more credit.

 

[mjw21a]

That is an insanely beautiful tonearm. Of course that's secondary to how it sounds, but Ikeda made all those design/engineering/aesthetic decisions with one purpose — great sound. And he had your FR cartridges in mind. [I also use the FR1-Mk3F.]

As for your tunrtable — "JVC QL7. A far nicer table than many people have these days" — A friend told me that Mitch Cotter chose the same motor for his 'ultimate' turntable. OK, "a friend says" is just hearsay — but Mitch Cotter was a friend of his, so I give it more credit.

My QL7 has had a few mods to further quiet vibration. It'll get their eventually. Whether it can match the performance of the S.A.M Aldebaran remains to be seen though.

 

[mjw21a]

Pm sent

 

[hirscwi]

The FR-64 is not specific to heavy cartridge, it is specific to very low compliance cartridges. One I had came with a Koetsu and it sounded excellent with an Ortofon MC30Super, a bit low on the resonance calculator but damn excellent sound from that combo.

There are two versions of the FR64 - the FR64fx (eff mass 20gr) and the FR 64 S (eff mass 35 gr). Both are wonderful arms.