I don't know how many are using this cartridge but I recently bought one at a good price without noticing it's exceedingly low compliance (6x10-6cm/dyn). It is also heavy with a weight of 12.6gm. I mounted this on a spare arm wand for my 10.5i tonearm and after trying to optimize gain and loading still have some lack of bass weight and slightly aggressive highs. The 10.5i is good with medium compliance cartridges but(with an effective mass of about 10.5gms)just doesn't cut it with very low compliance units. Figuring the ressonance of this system(>13hz)illustrates this. As it turns out, I'm putting a new table together(2 arm plinthed sp10mk3)and can choose whatever arm I like. I have already purchased the EPA 500 base as one of the arms along with the A501G and A501L wands. At 18gm effective mass, the A501L is a much better match for the xv-1s mono than the the 10.5i(resonance about 11.4hz). Will this be adequate or should I consider a massive 12" arm like the now discontinued Ikeda 407? Head shell weights on an arm like the SME 312s might be another option. Just wondered if anyone's crossed this bridge and what the best answer is.
10-16-09: Syntax Think about a FR-64s. I tried a lot of cartridges with this Arm and all showed a top performance. Good Design, no big secrets in Set up and it really "guides" a cartridge. This Arm is grossly underpriced/underrated and you will always find another buyer who wants it (in good condition, don't buy from deaf DIY's) Syntax (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)
