Speaking for myself, not ever having owned a 64fx, let alone heard one, I can only confirm that the 64S is the more prized version. Says nothing about SQ. For mating to Koetsu, which is how I use mine, the 64S is superb. I use the 18g Ortofon 9000LH headshell (I think that's the correct alphanumeric code), not the FR headshell. In the case of the Koetsu, you do want high effective mass. The 64S is higher in effective mass than the 64fx.
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My impression after decades of headshells and arm wands is that while most headshells can be mated to most arm wands, it is not the case that they are all cross-compatible. It’s a bit trial and error with low risk of error. One deal killer is location of the guide pin on the headshell collar. A few Japanese made headshells have either two guide pins (at 12 and 6 o’clock) or one that’s wrongly located to permit mating to your particular tonearm. Ortofon headshells mate well to my FR64S, if that helps.
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Did you look for his eBay ad? Probably it's been taken down, because I don't think he makes them any more for regular sale, but I certainly could be wrong.
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I will hold off on bothering Colby, if you think Tien will get it done. How do I get on his "list"? |
Rich, You can buy silver cartridge leads on eBay. They are a product of either Yamamoto or Oyaide; in other words, the source is reputable. No need to purchase an entire headshell. In fact, I don’t know of any of the better Japanese-made headshells that come with silver leads. Most use high quality copper. I have an HS4S, too. On that one, I think the leads are hard-wired. You cannot easily replace them with silver leads. On the other hand, the elimination of one physical connection in the signal path is worth that sacrifice, IMO. Great headshell, by the way.
I am currently finding my Ortofon MC2000, which has the lowest output of any cartridge I know about, to sound surprisingly great through my Manley Steelhead while riding in an HS4S on a Dynavector DV505. (No SUT needed.) I think this only works well because the Beveridge direct-drive amplifiers must have a very low input sensitivity. (Meaning, they don't need much signal voltage to drive them pretty hard.) I want to put the MC2000 on my FR64S, but the high-ish compliance of the MC2000 matched with the high mass of the FR64S gives me pause. However, the low weight of the HS4S makes it worth a shot. You've convinced me. |
Forgot to say, happy new year. |
Nandric knows this through my personal communication with him, but after I stated that my B60 was functioning perfectly, I found out two things about it: first, mine also can move back-and-forth a few millimeters in the horizontal direction, but thankfully it is tight and stable in the vertical direction, at least. Second, therefore I also need a new set screw. In reading the latest posts on this subject, I am thinking that I know a very fine machinist who has an audiophile bent. This is Colby Lang whom some of you may also know. He lives in Oregon. It may require me to send my B60 to Colby so he can make a perfect screw, if you pardon the expression, but I am willing to do that. First, I will contact Colby and see whether he is interested in this little project. Meantime, if you guys tell me whether you do or don’t want such a screw I can probably get a group price from Colby. He doesn’t work for free.
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Thanks for the thought, Nikola, but my current curiosity is mainly about the FR 7FZ.
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I'd buy one from you, Nicky. I was referring to the notion of sending US$2000 to some stranger living in Europe or Asia who is selling an FR-7fz on eBay, where the condition of the cartridge is typically described only as "used". That's not much to go on for $2000.
I'm glad you ended up happy with your replica B60. I'm happy with mine as well. |
Rich, I purchased a replica B60 base, possibly from the same source, a few years ago. It is now in use with my FR64S. I have no complaints. It’s very well made. However, subsequent to my purchase, someone posted here (Audiogon Analog Forum) that he was disappointed in the replica B60 that he had more recently purchased. In particular, he denigrated the quality of construction, as I recall. So, I don’t know whether this is a case of a cranky perfectionist sounding off, or whether there are two different sources for the B60, one good (mine) and one bad (whatever the dissatisfied person bought). I looked at your photos, and I would have to go and carefully examine mine in order to discern whether the one for sale is exactly like mine, or not. Certainly the two are very close.
I found the old thread. It was Nandric who complained about his sample of the replica B60. It wiggled, side to side and up and down, even in set mode. That, of course, is not acceptable. That was in 2014. Maybe Nandric can comment on what he thinks now. My guess is he sold it. (Sorry to have referred to you as a "cranky perfectionist", Nikola.) |
Nandric, You didn’t really answer my question directly, but are you inferring that the FR7fz, etc, are worth the prices you cite (and I’ve seen too) in comparison to the best vintage MM/MI and even some other used LOMC types, many of which can be had for far less cost?
i personally won’t pay that much for a 30+ year old cartridge coming from a foreign country, sold by someone I don’t know. I’d buy one from a trusted friend, only, preferably after an audition in my own system.
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These days, any of the "best" FR cartridges that aren’t broken will cost at least $1500-$2000, based on current eBay "buy it now" advertisements. At that price point, there is some pretty serious competition. As I have never heard any of the FRs, I'd like to know whether the fans of those cartridges believe that a well preserved or recently re-tipped sample can compete at that level? It’s one thing to say they are excellent and quite another to place them in terms of value. For comparison, many/most of the best MM/MI alternatives that we generally agree upon can be had for less than $1000.
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Keep in mind that one reason the FR tonearms have such a high effective mass is because their headshells are quite heavy, as headshells go. Therefore you can reduce the effective mass of the tonearm by using a much lighter weight headshell. For example, I don’t recommend it, but I am using an Acutex LPM 320 in a dynavector headshell on my FR 64S. The Acutex has a stated compliance of 42, so this combo shouldn’t work well, but it does. This is to say that you need not feel terribly restricted by the high effective mass.
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