New aftermarket plinth for Technics SP 10 MK2/MK3/R from Acoustand

Dear @lewm  : Yes a diffrent opinion due that as you said:

"  in part because I have never owned or heard either tonearm. "

To have an overall opinion on tonearms and how good are those tonearms we need first hand experiences with several tonearms and several cartridges at all levels.

I was lucky enough in that critical issue and as you can see in my Agon virtual room/system in that time I had mounted 10 different top tonearms with 10 different cartridges, yes something " crazy " but all those gave me the opportunity to make " thousands of comparisons about and learn with. Btw, in that time too other that those 10 tonearms I owned other 11 ones and over 100+ every type of cartridges.

I remember that I sold my SAEc 506/30 and the 8000 because were way resonant and sold too my Audiocraft for not been totally stables and found out at least 2 really good Audio Technica tonearms.

Yes, a lot of fun with and learning lessons.

R.

Raul, While it is true I do not own either of your two beloved vintage tonearms, I do own other tonearms that one could regard as good. So my judgement that the FR64S is also very good is not made without any comparators.  Further, like you, I own many cartridges of all types and with both high and low compliance.  I do have experience mixing and matching tonearms and cartridges and listening to them on either one of two low distortion systems.  And finally, the weakest argument is for me to say that I am not alone in liking the FR64S.  As you know it is very popular among the cognoscenti, and it could be said that you are the outlier for saying it is defective.  Factually, I challenge your continued assertion that it is "undamped".  The spring loaded VTF adjuster is packed with grease. The arm wand itself is internally dampened.  And yadayada.  I don’t think for a minute that I could change your thinking.  Nor could you change mine. My opinion won’t change unless or until I actually hear the problems with which you are concerned.  Keep in mind that I use an 18g Ortofon LH9000 headshell with my Koetsu. I do not even own an FR headshell.  I previously used the FR64S with an Acutex LPM320 cartridge in a lightweight headshell, and the ensemble sounded excellent, surprisingly (because of the ultra high compliance of the Acutex, you would not think it would work). I have read that the FR headshells are not so good; maybe that was the source of your discomfort. Anyway, let us move on from this sidebar.

Unfortunately I have no relevant experience with any of the tonearms or cartridges under discussion here.  Since I started using AnalogMagik, however, I have learned that Raul's comments about resonance outside the 8-12 Hz region are quite common and a real problem.  Going below 8 maybe down to 7 Hz is meh, not a show stopper, but very frequently the numbers are well outside the range.  I have not found an exception, where the sound of the combination was acceptable until we get inside the range or at least pretty close.  This has proven to be the biggest challenge, most common that is, and most difficult to over come when setting up turntables.  It is one that cannot be ignored.

@billstevenson   +1+1+1+1

Lew, I’m still have the 64 and sold the 66. Thwe 64 was checked and cleaned and new lubricant, even that things are as it.

Now your system is way different and not really full range and not full dynamics, is restricted at both frequency extremes and the other issue is that you coupled with tubes .

J.Atkinson ( today STHP editor ) after used several years tubes said after that:

" with the recognition that tube amps don’t perform as well as solid state. He adds the following explanation in the article’s comments section: "When I write ’The amp performs along the lines of what one would expect for a tube amp with zero negative feedback,’ the measured performance predicts departures from a neutral sonic character that will be audible."

Other reviewer said on the 845:

" They have some one restricted dynamics......" This issue was confirmed in this forum by mijostyn ( owner ) as was: " restricted at both frequency extremes. "

In the other side the 7500, Urushi or the ZYX were not exactly top class performers that along those tubes and the 845 disadvantages  could be reasons why you still do not be aware of the 64 deficiency. or something easy: those overall kind of distortions are what satisfied to you.

My kind of distortions are way different. That’s all and nothing a problem with me.

We are different: I don’t like tubes any more and I like digital for several years now and this issue is contrary to your targets because you even don’t own a CD or listento streaming. You audio-bible said: no digital. Fine with me.

R.