Theory about Fidelity Research MC & PMC Carts

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??)

@roberjerman 

I owned a MC201 back in 1980-81. Wish I still had it!  

Then why don't you buy it? This model is not rare and often for sale for cheap in perfect condition. 

Your erudition and wit are fun to read, as always. But I don’t think the question is whether Vienna = Wien (of course it does).

Ateal is asking if the FR MC-201 and MC-202 are the same cartridges as the FR PMC-1 and PMC-3.

If they are, substitutio salva veritate applies. But if they aren’t, it doesn’t. If they aren’t, it would be like saying Vienna = Salzburg.

@bimasta @nandric

Your erudition and wit are fun to read, as always.

I must say my frined Nikola has repeat his favorite joke about Vienna 50 times already (on this forum). I like Vienna, beautiful city. In my languare Vienna or Wien starts with the "V", but different FR models starts with different numbers. I believe that MC-201/202 is not PMC-3

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.