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Fidelity Research FR-64x

 Fidelity Research FR-64x.....(with silver wire ).  Is this arm still considered  viable today ?

offnon57
chakster's avatar
chakster
2,482 posts
 
@offnon57 

 Fidelity Research FR-64x.....(with silver wire )

Do you mean FR-64s ? But the "s" is not necessary silver wire, it can be copper wire. When the wire is silver there is a sticker on the art "silver wire inside" or something like that.  

I bought FR-64fx toneam (the black one) with heavy counterweight W-205. We will see how it works with my FR-7f cartridge. I'm gonna try my FR PMC-3 cartridge as well, but maybe i will need a lighter counterweight which i don't have (looking for one). 

I'm not a fan of the silver wire, in my opinion copper wire is always better.

 


nandric's avatar
nandric
3,263 posts
 

The FR 66/64 S (''S'' for steel) were produced from hardened steel

and become to expensive to produce. That is why Ikeda decided

to produce FR 66/64 FX made from aluminum which is more easy

and much cheaper to produce. Curious but true the same happened

with SME 3009 and 3012. The first version was produced from steel

the later from aluminum.

Copper or silver question need to be put in the context of time.

As function of time copper corrode so after all those years (80is)one

need to check copper wire version. My FR low impedance SUT

output wire was black from corrosion.

lewm
6,770 posts
 
And copper oxide is a poor conductor.  Whereas silver oxide conducts about as well as pure silver.
totem395
196 posts
 


nandric

with SME 3009 and 3012. The first version was produced from steel

the later from aluminum.

Quite true and perhaps the reason for the fondness of the early
model.

I think the later R series revised the steel tube material
as an homage to the original?

chakster's avatar
chakster
2,482 posts
 
@nandric what is the benefits of stainless steel ? 
I use inexpensive stainless steel PANs when i'm cooking on gas and i love it, but why it's better for tonearms? Just more weight?

My Lustre GST-801 also made of stainless steel, i believe. It was easy to rewire it with brand new discovery toneam copper wires (the original silver wire was broken and does not impressed me much, too old). 

    
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