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
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


    

ps68
228 posts
 
tkr,
Many thanks, I appreciate your views on these arm cart combinations. I have an SME V but still in it's box, intended on fitting a London Ref to it, which I may still do, but also like the Koetsu sound which would work well with my system. Your appraisal is inline with my thought's on these, and my exp with FR66s and Kondo + Koetsu.

Re the Nasotec, it may appear quirky but boy it works so well, using an Aidas PanzerHolz Diamond on mine currently, and may well end up just using this only and not fitting the V as a second arm..

Many thanks..
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