Theory about Fidelity Research MC & PMC Carts

I didn’t mention the FR 2 in my post. I am only curious about the ones I referred to. 

For anyone who's interested here are the specs gleaned from the web and from back issues of Consumer Audio magazines.

PMC-1

Output – 0.17 mV

VTF – 1.1g to 1.5g

Impedance – 14 Ohms

Compliance – 10 @ 100Hz

Weight – 7.5g

Tip – 0.1mm square elliptical diamond needle

Price when new – Yen 25,000 (1981) (Japan only??)

 

PMC-3

Output – 0.17 mV

VTF – 1.3g to 1.7g

Impedance – 8.6 Ohms

Compliance – 8 @ 100Hz

Weight – 7.5g

Tip – “VITAL” refined contact diamond

Price when new – Yen 40,000 (1981) (Japan only??)

 

MC 201

Output – 0.16 mV

VTF – 1.5g to 2.0g

Impedance – 8 Ohms

Compliance – 10 @ 100Hz

Weight – 7.5g

Tip – 0.3 x 2 mils line contact

Price when new – US$300 (1982) (US/Europe only??)

 

MC 202

Output – 0.17 mV

VTF – 1.5g to 2.0g

Impedance – 8.75 Ohms

Compliance – 8.5 @ 100Hz

Weight – 7.5g

Tip – 0.2 x 0.8 mils “VITAL” refined contact nude diamond

Price when new – US$350 (1982) (US/Europe only??)

 

FR-2

Output – 0.1 mV

VTF – 1.5g to 2.0g

Impedance – 6 Ohms

Compliance – 10 @ 100Hz

Weight – 7.5g

Tip – 0.3 x 3 mils line contact

Price when new – Yen 36,000 (Date Unknown??) (Japan only??)

I think based on price point, specs and the stylus profile, that the PM-3 and MC 202 would be very similar. Not the same, and not one better than the other, but very similar.

I have a PMC-1 and have just received an MC 202 today in the post, so once I have a few hours on it to loosen up the suspension I will be able to compare.

The PMC-1 is an amazing cartridge to my ears and suits my particular needs perfectly. Curiosity led me to buy the MC 202.

Not sure I need your PMC-3 thanks.

Also not quite sure why you need to reference the FR-7fz and state that it’s better than all of them. There is always something better, obviously.

Also my post was only related to the PMC and MC series. If you have no info that could help answer the original question then no need to use my post to bragg about your equipment. 

As promised I thought I would update this thread with my findings on the FR 202 cartridge and I have to say without ANY reservations that this is the most perfect cartridge I have ever owned, it now beats out my Spectral Reference LOMC cartridge.

Like every Fidelity Research cartridge the tone of instruments is amazing and lifelike and this cart takes that way beyond what I have experienced before.

As for frequency range the cartridge goes down very low indeed and is very solid. Bass notes slam you in the chest. Nothing flabby or bloated at all. The upper frequency range is more prominent than other Fidelity Research cartridges I have owned, but it is very smooth and not at all harsh. It was a little harsh at first but now the cartridge has been broken in it is not harsh at all.

Soundstage and imaging is phenominal to the point it is holographic.

Best of all it is musical and engaging and allows you to get lost in the music without analyzing everything.

I absolutely love this cartridge and I’m so glad curiosity got the better of me and I bought it. 

One other observation of the MC-202 is that it has similarities to the Ortofon SPU’s I have owned in the past. Especially as it relates to PRaT and midrange musical slam.

It exhibits all of the documented qualities of an SPU but does it much better than the SPU’s I have previously owned. 

For this reason I would guess that it is more similar to the FR7 series than some people would like to give it credit for. 

I guess I will have to wait until I can pick up an FR7 before I can prove that theory out.