My thoughts exacly. There are some cosmetic cues that suggest it was made by Supex, presumably to Nakamichi's specifications. Something they did for numerous others. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if they also hired one of the established designers like Ikeda, Takeda, Sugano, Matsudeira, Ozawa or Nakatzuki to do the design work.
I've even tried to establish if there's a sonic resemblance with the contemporary work of these designers for Fidelity Research, Entré, Supex, Koetsu, Shelter, Accuphase, et al. So far this has been inconclusive.
I agree the MC1000 is an excellent cart, but the included - rebadged - SME headshell does it no service. BTW, didn't Supex offer a similar headshell? Another clue to its origins perhaps?
In any case, it sounds much better in a FR-S/5. These FR headshells has often been called mediocre, but with some carts this reputation is unjustified.
I've even tried to establish if there's a sonic resemblance with the contemporary work of these designers for Fidelity Research, Entré, Supex, Koetsu, Shelter, Accuphase, et al. So far this has been inconclusive.
I agree the MC1000 is an excellent cart, but the included - rebadged - SME headshell does it no service. BTW, didn't Supex offer a similar headshell? Another clue to its origins perhaps?
In any case, it sounds much better in a FR-S/5. These FR headshells has often been called mediocre, but with some carts this reputation is unjustified.