There has been some talk recently about SME service for rewiring - which is exceptional by the way, in which they really know how to take care of their customers- however, for those of us who own more vintage examples of tonearms there are few choices for rewiring and most importantly refurbishment.
Such was the case with my FR64s. My Brinkmann Balance came in and I wanted to start fresh with a new Kuzma 4pt w/ Kondo wire and I wanted to extend that refresh to my FR64s. Even though I had the FR for some years, I really did not know its provenance and always wondered about its overall condition. I looked at the website of Thomas Shick who tore apart his FR but did not give many details about how to go about it. I really did not want to damage the arm or end up with spare parts.
In talking with Richard Mak of Analog Magik, he indicated that he recently landed on his ideal formula for small gauge litz copper and silver wire - after many many attempts he had wire rolls made especially for him. I've got to say I am completely entranced by this rebuild . Richard eliminated the DIN connector and I go straight from the RCAs to bayonet with pure silver wire. Maybe even just as important was the total strip down of the old sticky grease and complete cleaning of the bearings and moving parts. He does offer the option to eliminate the bayonet altogether and go direct to the cartridge clips... which is the ultimate , but I stopped short wanting to use some of my vintage FR cartridges on this set up.
What do I hear? cleaner not etched in any way, quieter, more dynamic contrast and enveloping. I just don't recall this arm ever sounding like this with the stone Koetsu and FR7f thus far . I am a very happy customer. It was a bit of a wait but RM kept me informed all the way and while not inexpensive it was totally worth it to me to have this done to a classic like the FR. Sometimes I wonder what I chase with my tonearm fascination. I think that with the right combination of cartridges classics like the FR64s and SME 3012r are really fabulous.
Such was the case with my FR64s. My Brinkmann Balance came in and I wanted to start fresh with a new Kuzma 4pt w/ Kondo wire and I wanted to extend that refresh to my FR64s. Even though I had the FR for some years, I really did not know its provenance and always wondered about its overall condition. I looked at the website of Thomas Shick who tore apart his FR but did not give many details about how to go about it. I really did not want to damage the arm or end up with spare parts.
In talking with Richard Mak of Analog Magik, he indicated that he recently landed on his ideal formula for small gauge litz copper and silver wire - after many many attempts he had wire rolls made especially for him. I've got to say I am completely entranced by this rebuild . Richard eliminated the DIN connector and I go straight from the RCAs to bayonet with pure silver wire. Maybe even just as important was the total strip down of the old sticky grease and complete cleaning of the bearings and moving parts. He does offer the option to eliminate the bayonet altogether and go direct to the cartridge clips... which is the ultimate , but I stopped short wanting to use some of my vintage FR cartridges on this set up.
What do I hear? cleaner not etched in any way, quieter, more dynamic contrast and enveloping. I just don't recall this arm ever sounding like this with the stone Koetsu and FR7f thus far . I am a very happy customer. It was a bit of a wait but RM kept me informed all the way and while not inexpensive it was totally worth it to me to have this done to a classic like the FR. Sometimes I wonder what I chase with my tonearm fascination. I think that with the right combination of cartridges classics like the FR64s and SME 3012r are really fabulous.
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