2. analog
  3. 135227-71092

Which pickup do I sell, which do I keep?

My analog setup:
Verdier la Platine with 3 arms/pickups:
1) SME V / London Decca Reference
2) Fidelity Research FR 64 s / Kondo Audio Note Io ii
3) Fidelity Research FR 64 fx / SoundSmith DL 103 R Gold OR Koetsu Coralstone

I´m in a real dilemma here. Tonally, the SoundSmith DL 103 R gold is extremely close to the Koetsu Coralstone, and sounds gorgeous, very dynamic. The Koetsu may have a little more to give in the bass, but it´s very close. 

Now, I dont´t really think that there is enough room for a fourth arm on the Verdier. And if I could fit in one more arm, I would have to buy a second phono amp. (My Manley Steelhead can only cater for three pickups) .

As far as I can see, one of the pickups has to go. Either I sell the Koetsu Coralstone. That would probably be easy, but I would probably take a heavy financial loss. Less so if I sell the SoundSmith, but it would probably be a heavier sell. It´s not a well-known pickup, and I don´t really want to let it go. 

Looking for opinions, advice. 


tkr
tkr OP
100 posts
 
Now, that is a good idea! 
lewm
12,453 posts
 
tkr, You seem to have an elaborate system, although you don't mention downstream components.  But I get the impression that selling one of these 4 cartridges is not a matter of economic necessity.  So, I'd say keep them all.  Most of us nuts own more than 4 cartridges and think nothing of it.  In fact, I cannot imagine paring down to only 4.

PS. If you do get a second headshell for your FR64S, try something other than the ones made by FR for the 64S.  By all accounts, they are not so great. (I too own an FR64S but I have never played with any FR headshell; I am just repeating scuttlebutt.)
tkr OP
100 posts
 
Thanks!
I did exactly that. I found an Ortofon headshell, mounted the Coralstone in my FR 64 FX, and tried it out. It sounded better than it did in the SME V, and it won`t be sold anytime soon. 

Downstream equipment: Metric Halo ULN 8 ADC/DAC/Pre/digital crossover- biamped into CJ Premier 350/CJ ET 250S- Overkill Encore loudspeakers
ps68
228 posts
 
tkr,

Another headshell you could perhaps consider is the Nasotec Swing headshell, it is an unusual design but my opinion is it really excels in my SAEC we506, and could in either of your FR's too.

I would be ever so grateful if you could describe the SME V/ London Ref sound in comparison to the FR 64s/ Kondo, and if you mount the Koetsu in this how that sounds too, compared to the LR. It is a wonderful system you have assembled there!

Many thanks and kind regards..


tkr OP
100 posts
 
First of all, thanks for the Nasotec- tip. I will try to find out a bit more about it.

I would be ever so grateful if you could describe the SME V/ London Ref sound in comparison to the FR 64s/ Kondo, and if you mount the Koetsu in this how that sounds too, compared to the LR. It is a wonderful system you have assembled there!

Thanks, I´ll try:

1) It shouldn´t be a surprise that the London Ref is a real seat-of-your-pants-ride. It´s extremely dynamic, and makes everything sound exciting. For the heck of it I put on "Elton John`s Greatest Hits", and I have never heard Sir Elton that lively....A fun experience.
I had to increase the damping on the SME V to get rid of some "zinginess", but after that, the LR behaved very well, particularly in the mids. A lovely cartridge IMO, but something of a Paralympics winner. It does some things very well, others not at all. For example, don´t even try to use it on even slightly warped records.

2) The Kondo set up in the FR 64 S is pure seduction! The mids are to die for, bass is very good and it is also hugely dynamic. 

3) The Koetsu Coralstone matches a bit better with the FR 64 FX than with the SME V IMO. Haven`t tried it on the FR 64 S yet. It`s a bit more forward than the Kondo, and it has a bit more midbass bloom in the FR arm. It`s also the deep bass champ, btw.

Long post, hope this helps.

  Regards tkr


    

More to discover