Fidelity Research FR64S

[F575M]

Hi Chaps,

I have just finished installing my 401/SME 3009 in my new plinth. I am still waiting for my Denond Dl-103R and several headshells that I ordered.

I think that I am going through a lot of trouble, not to mention money, to make the S2 work. I have two of them. My dear friend Angus [Phonomac] who rewired one of them and rebuilt my AT ATP12T tonearm, one of his favorites, told me that he never liked SME at all, that I should forget it.

There are some FR64 on the market and I am wondering if it is not the time to dump the 3009s and purchase a Fidelity Research. The silver box, on the right, holds a Keystrobe-pulser + Optibloc 401 for 50Hz platters.

Marco, what do you have to say?

Cheers,

Horacio

[Barry]

In what way does the S2 not work?

[DiveDeepDog]

I’ve been using 18g Audio Technica headshell with 103r in a 3012, thats where I’d start.
The 64s is a V heavy arm, the FX is still high by modern standards but the eff mass is a little kinder to flexibility.

Sounds great with 103’s

[F575M]

Marco, said that in his opinion, the optimum level of headshell mass for ANY DL-103, short of certain special editions, is 16 to 16.5g, unless the cartridge itself has been re-bodied into a heavier shell, in which case different rules apply.

FR headshells are good, but rather expensive for what they are. He'd buy a PCL-300 headshell, which itself is 15g. Then, to make up the shortfall in mass, use a 3mm one of these stabilizers (at 1.8g).

I purchased several headshells, Denon, Neumann, Ortofon and FR, I'll try.

Cheers,

[Marco]

Hi Horacio,

Sorry, I missed this... Firstly, by an S2, do you mean a Fidelity Research S2 headshell? And if so, in what way are you struggling to get it to work?

Secondly, are you able to get high-mass headshells to balance out on your 3009, without the use of a heavier counterweight? If so, then for me there's nothing wrong with your 3009, for use with your Denon. If not, that's a different matter...

But I wouldn't get rid of the arm, as SME 3009s and 3012s work very well on Garrard 401s. Instead, I'd be getting Speedy Steve here to make you a custom counterweight for your 3009, which is able to balance out a high-mass headshell, such as those you've ordered, and that would be a great combo. See here (he makes all sorts of beautifully finished counterweights): https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?6216-Magna-Audio-s-custom-made-counterweight-balance-and-armboard-service!&p=123474#post123474

FR-64s are superb arms, but I'm not sure they'd match best with a 401, as both tend to exhibit a bass-driven sonic signature, as indeed is emulated by the 103, so you could end up over-egging the pudding. In that respect, synergy is usually best achieved with complimenting contrasts, and so a bassy, 'weighty sounding' T/T would be paired with a lighter sounding, more detailed arm, etc, which is why unipivots, such as Hadcocks, can work really well on 401s, but unfortunately 103s don't work well on Hadcocks...

So.... I'd save your money by keeping your existing arm (but getting it to work optimally with a heavier headshell), or if you're going to change it, then go for a 3012. However, with a 3012 (as it's higher-mass anyway, given its longer effective length), you don't need to fit it with such a heavy headshell; indeed you can end up overdoing the mass! Therefore, if you're fitting a 103 to a 3012, a 10-12g [good quality, well-constructed] headshell would be plenty.

Hope that helps! :cool:

ATB,
Marco.



Hi Chaps,

I have just finished installing my 401/SME 3009 in my new plinth. I am still waiting for my Denond Dl-103R and several headshells that I ordered.

I think that I am going through a lot of trouble, not to mention money, to make the S2 work. I have two of them. My dear friend Angus [Phonomac] who rewired one of them and rebuilt my AT ATP12T tonearm, one of his favorites, told me that he never liked SME at all, that I should forget it.

There are some FR64 on the market and I am wondering if it is not the time to dump the 3009s and purchase a Fidelity Research. The silver box, on the right, holds a Keystrobe-pulser + Optibloc 401 for 50Hz platters.

Marco, what do you have to say?

Cheers,

Horacio

[F575M]

Hi Marco,

Nice to hear from you. Sorry for the confusion, by S2 I meant 3009 S2. However, I purchased a FR S2 [11.1g] and a Neumann-Ortofon [8.4], they were cheap. In addition to these two headshells I have three SME and one ebony CNC machined [8.5g]. Please see photos.

Many years ago, around 1990, I made some spacers for other tonearms. The one installed with the FR S2/DL103 weighs 4.4g, total weight is 25g. I do not think you'll approve the home made spacers.

It just crossed my mind to buy a vintage lead soldier, £4, melt it and use the SME headshell. When I used to dive I made my own weighs melting scrap lead.

Cheers,

Horacio

[Marco]

Hi Horacio,

Thanks for the pics! No, your weights/spacers do the job just fine - and thanks for clarification on the 'S2' thing:)

My advice would basically be to get your 103 to work with the 3009, in terms of adding the appropriate amount of mass to the headshell, and balancing it out at the other end, as IMO that's likely to yield the best and most cost-effective results.

The FR64S is a superb tonearm, but a 401 wouldn't be my first choice of turntable to mount it on. That's not meant as a bad reflection on the latter (the 401 is a great T/T), but simply one in relation to achieving the best synergy.

If you ever get an SP10 or a TD-124, try an FR-64S on that, but I'd stick with (vintage) SMEs on your Garrard. The more modern magnesium varieties are different beasts altogether though, and sound quite different, so I'd avoid being tempted to use those. Stick with 3009s (even a Series M2-9R), or if you fancy a 12-incher, then a 3012 or an M2-12R:cool:

Marco.