Fidelity Research FR64s versus FR64fx

FWIW:
I had the new Ikeda IT-407 in B-60 and after a few weeks I started feeling it was in some way colored in the HF...it added a sheen to the sound that got quite tiring
got a FR64s and shipped it to AM for refurb, 12" conversion, new upgraded bearings and direct AM silver wiring
the FR seems a better built arm and sounds better too....I traded away the Ikeda
never looked back
If you use the lightweight FX headshell on the FR 64s, it runs a lot of cartridges. You'd normally say it doesn't work.measured effective mass 20.5 grams.
Phantastic tracker this tonearm.20210215_173520.jpg
 
If you use the lightweight FX headshell on the FR 64s, it runs a lot of cartridges. You'd normally say it doesn't work.measured effective mass 20.5 grams.
Phantastic tracker this tonearm.View attachment 157258
It seems that FR 66S effective mass is around 30g
 
I feel that opting for an AM re wire single length from headshell to RCA is a significant factor … as example a friend went for that option with his Glanz which iirc removed a dozen break/solder points in the signal path .
I have same on my Bokrand Sonoro DaVa version
 
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DAVA is a low compliance design that shouldn’t work the best on the low effective mass SME 3012R compared to Ikeda or FR
Dava basic on SME 3012r on TD 124 outdid Continuum Caliburn with Cobra and Etsuro Gold. It sounds fine on the 3012r.
 
It seems that FR 66S effective mass is around 30g
The S models are 5grams higher with orginal headshell, but the most people use other headshells. then you lost a lot of grams. The rs 141 headshell weight is 12.4 grams and standard fr s3 headshell 22grams
 
on AM 66 I use Harmony 11g alu headshell without connector
have 8-12mm alu adapter, so can use most headshells as long as I remove contact unit
 
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I would add factory wire SME 3009 and SME 3012 and (R) owners would be rather surprised as to the fidelity that their tonearm is really capable of …
Much more important is with these 3009 and 3012 versions that the V-shaped yoke of the knife edge bearing is reworked. The yoke is only polished on the outside at the factory, and the V has burrs.
 
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Much more important is with these 3009 and 3012 versions that the V-shaped yoke of the knife edge bearing is reworked. The yoke is only polished on the outside at the factory, and the V has burrs.

Agree …I have commented upon this subject a couple of times beforehand :

 
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