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Fidelity Research cartridges

Any FR cartridge experts out there? Raul? Dertonarm? Syntax?
I have had an FR-7 which I bought a while ago. I tried it ever so briefly when I got it on an arm I now recognize as not being able to handle that weight (close, but no cigar). I just now pulled it out for kicks and after getting it adjusted with the big counterweight, I am VERY pleasantly surprised. Actually, I'm feeling kind of bubbly. It does not dig out the utmost in detail, but it just sounds very right.

Are there any other FR carts out there which are real steals if still in good condition? I know the MC-702 and the FR-1Mk2 and Mk3f by name, with good reps being assigned to the Mk3 and the MC-702. Given that the MC-702 and the FR-7 look quite similar, and they were offered at about the same time, what is different? And is the FR-7 just an integrated headshell version of the FR-1Mk3?
t_bone
heradot
30 posts
 
Hi Raul,
also own the 407 but compared with FR-64/66 the 407 has less details and precision. Prefer the FR.
Rgds,
Marco
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
12,776 posts
 
Dear Marco: All is a matter of preferences/priorities and different tolerance range level of distortions.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
t_bone OP
1,182 posts
 
Found an FR-7f and have tried it out. It is, indeed, a bit nicer than the FR-7. It has, at first trot, more delicacy to it. I am not sure how else to put it yet. Both are very nice, but if I had to choose just one of the two to live with, I'd take the 'f.' More in a bit.
perrew
299 posts
 
Does any one know if the MC702 have Alnico magnets?
radicalsteve's avatar
radicalsteve
146 posts
 
The FR series look very similar to the Sony XL-55 series with the figure 8 coils. Who manufactured the FR and the Sony carts?

I don't have an FR series (yet) but I have three of the Sony XL-55/88 pro series and they give my UNIverse and Allnico Z a run for their money.

Steve
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