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Fidelity Research 64s vs Jelco SA-750e

Currently I have a Jelco SA-750e (10 inch) arm on a Sota Star Sapphire with a Koetsu Rosewood Signature. This runs to an EAR 834p, Thor TA-1000 pre, Quicksilver v4 monos, and Verity Audio Parsifal Encores. The sound is very good now, but I wonder if I could decrease record/surface noise and increase bass and dynamics with a better tonearm.

Obviously the Fidelity Research 64s is better than the Jelco, but can anyone offer opinions about what kind of differences I might hear and the magnitude of difference, if I change the Jelco for the FR? Trying to decide if it is worth the extra $1300 or so to upgrade.

Thanks everyone!

montaldo
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,424 posts
 
Not sure if you saw my meandering post (read it all as there are some notes) on my 750 to 850 upgrade but it kind of sums it up.
In a nutshell, the 850 gives you more of everything while retaining the qualities of the 750 - space, acoustic, slam, tightness, air, color, timbre, sweetness, clarity! The best definition is that you will hear an arm experience you didn't know existed.
montaldo OP
181 posts
 
Yes I read your review. Very helpful  do you (or does anyone) have knowledge about the merits of the 950 vs the 850?

Reminder that I use the Koetsu Rosewood Signature and the compliance is rated at around 8-9 (5 by Japanese specs @100hz which I understand translates to 8-9 when comparing)

Thanks
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@noromance 

The 64 is not a 66. Legacy reviews say the 64 is a little lacking in top end detail. The 850 is crystalline clear.

This review is from 2010 and a plain BS in my opinion. The reviewer more concerned about awful SPU cartridges (the reason why he can;t get crystalline clear quality), but the FR tonearm must be used with FR-7fz cartridge and it's mind blowing experience. The reviewer prefer Thomas Schick tonearm which i oaned with various SPU cartridges and it's nothing special. The FR-64s or 64fx are much better tonearms than Thomas Schick handmade arms. And i believe the Koetsu cartrige is much better than SPU. So the reviewers opinion doesn't matter. 

I wouldn't compare Jelco to the Fidelity-Research 64s. 
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,424 posts
 
@montaldo The Koetsu should be fine. I run a Deccas in my Jelcos and they sound excellent with no tracking issues.
edgewear
543 posts
 
I obviously agree with chakster about the quality of the FR arms, owning both FR-64s and FR-64fx. And the synergy with the FR-7 series MC's is certainly special, but they're definitely not a must. The FR-64 arms work their magic with a great many other cartridges as well. I only use them with LOMC's, but according to other owners they even work well with MM's with higher compliance. Despite the high effective mass - certainly in the case of the 64s - they turn out to be surprisingly universal.

I haven't heard the Jelco, but based on most reports it doesn't seem to be a serious competitor to either the 64s or 64fx.

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