If you had £1300 to spend on a Tonearm?

[mikeyb]

Thinking about selling my Fidelity Research FR64FX arm, in fact I had it advertised last week then withdrew it as I changed my mind, I'm swithering again [emoji23]

However, can I better it if I did sell it, and with a budget of around £1325 ( I choose this figure as that's what I've been quoted for another second hand upgraded arm I'm looking at, which is essentially retail price for that arm if you know what I mean ) can I do better that the Fidelity?

I like Electronic, Rock ( classic/soft/metal/prog ), Blues ( Keb 'Mo/SRV ), some Americana to give you an idea of my tastes.

I've been reading up on the AO PU7, The Wand Plus, Audio Technica 1010T ( modded by Phonomac ), Tiger Paw Javelin, plus a few others.

This will be fitted to a Panzerholz plinth using an SP10 mk2 turntable, my Fidelity arm is 230mm pivot to spindle so this seemingly works/looks fine, I'm not averse to using 10" or 12" arms, I just want the best sound for the best price, so I'm looking at used prices.

Hana ML cartridge in use just now.

Spec:

Stylus: Nude Microline
Cantilever: Aluminium
Magnet: Alnico
Rec. Tracking Force: 2g
Trackability: 70µ/2g
Compliance: 10×10-6 cm/dyne
Channel Separation: 30dB @ 1kHz
Frequency Range: 12Hz to 45kHz
Impedance: 8Ω (ML)
Suggested Load Impedance: <100Ω (ML)
Suggested Load Impedance: 47kΩ (MH)
Cartridge Weight: 9.5g

Any thoughts?

I'll be posting this very same message on several Forums to gather opinions, be interesting to read the results.

Thanks

[DiveDeepDog]

I've got the same FR, its possibly on my list to move on as I feel I've got better arms (12"PU7,SME4) however, it's the only one with detachable headshell which does add quite a lot of flexibility.

Its heavy effective mass, 20g may not suit the cart, however I've never heard a 103 sound as good as it does in the Fr. There may be compatibility issues??

[hifi_dave]

I'd keep it unless you can find a 64S.

[mikeyb]

I've got the same FR, its possibly on my list to move on as I feel I've got better arms (12"PU7,SME4) however, it's the only one with detachable headshell which does add quite a lot of flexibility.

Its heavy effective mass, 20g may not suit the cart, however I've never heard a 103 sound as good as it does in the Fr. There may be compatibility issues??

Swappable headshell is definitely a plus, however my cart swapping days are pretty much done as I like the Hana so much so the headshell isn't as important as it used to be.

I had a 103r prior to the Hana which I really liked, I've had a Zu version of the 103 too, the Hana suits me better.

Vinyl engine resonance calculator puts the Hana at just over 9 on the FR arm so it's a fair match I'd say?

Phonomac ( Angus ) has fettled my FR arm so it's sounding better than it's ever did and I'm not 100% convinced it's the right decision to sell it yet.

[chris@panteg]

I wouldn't sell it in any hurry if I were you, very nice arm and apparently a great match for the Voyd which I use, currently fitted with an SME V.

I thought about seeking one out but I'm very happy with my V.

[karma67]

imo a pmat-1010 mk6. once the lock down is over give angus a shout,im sure he will let you hear one.

[AJSki2fly]

If you really want to sell it, look at these https://www.jelco-ichikawa.co.jp/cn3/tk-850m_mk2.html or https://www.jelco-ichikawa.co.jp/cn3/tk-850l_mk2.html (https://www.jelco-ichikawa.co.jp/cn3/tk-850l_mk2.html), you might want to also read up on the TK-950 range but I was told that tonally not as good as the TK850's. I believe JELCO make many arms for other companies and have done for years.

I had a tk-850m on a Voyd TT and it was excellent, in fact it replaced an SME IV which I traded on. I mounted mine on a http://www.purusaudio.pt/easyVTA.html which made it perfect fo quick and accurate set up when switching headshells, cartridges.

Hugo at Ammonite sells them at a good price and offer advise.https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/product-category/analogue/tonearm/

[topoxforddoc]

I'd keep it unless you can find a 64S.

+1

Your budget won't get a significant improvement on the FR64FX. The FR64 series arms were true high end back in the 80s. The AT1010 is a very fine arm, but it would just be different, rather than better.

[karma67]

an unmodified one maybe but these arms are taken to a very high level by angus.have you heard one to form your opinion?

[mikeyb]

Many thanks for all the help and suggestions, I'm now busy reading up on them all and checking specs to see if compatible with the Hana.

Keep me busy for a while

[mikeyb]

Here’s some interesting reading.

I received a link to a blog that helps me a lot, Angus (Phonomac ) sent it last night.

http://korfaudio.com/blog

In it he explains about cartridge and arm matching as well as a new calculator http://korfaudio.com/calculator that shows that my Fidelity/Orsonic/Hana combo is a very good match, this might explain why I think it sounds so good, I’ll be honest and say that I only put the original question out there to see if I could better the Fidelity or AT 1010T arm with anything else or even against each other.

It would appear that’s there’s very little between the two, see the attached photos and you’ll see it’s fractions between them, so I think the Fidelity stays, no point spending more money where it’s not necessary.

Fidelity FR64Ffx - Orsonic AV101s Headshell - Hana ML cartridge
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/ea5521465b5c7973b0bd36e7dc759082.jpg

Audio Technica 1010t - Orsonic AV101s Headshell - Hana ML cartridge
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/97664493402e73fa5f5fb1697df1f527.jpg

Korfs review of my Orsonic Headshell is interesting too.

http://korfaudio.com/blog51

[mikeyb]

Thanks for all the great info and recommendations.

I've decided that I'll fit the Fidelity arm to my new plinth which will also have the capability of dropping one of Angus's upgraded AT 1010 arms in the same fitting as the Fidelity , I gave Angus that idea and he's sure it's doable.

When we get the chance Angus is going to give me a visit when he's up this way and he'll let me hear the 1010 to compare it to the Fidelity.

I think this is the sensible option as A: it's keeps the cost down just now, B: I'll eventually be able to hear the 1010 on my deck in my room and C: I can put funds aside over the next few weeks or months until the demo happens and if I decide to go the 1010 route I might be able to afford to keep both arms.

Thanks again [emoji4]

[SteveW]

Have no idea how my Phonomac 1010 compares with others on a panzerholz plinthed SP10. Went in blind and at full tilt. Not regretted it for a second.
The best reason for getting one is that you may always regret not getting one.
However for the reason below you will know.
Good luck and good call.

B: I'll eventually be able to hear the 1010 on my deck in my room