Fxr-Ii Arm Leads

by **rolleye** » 24 May 2011 14:55

any of you guys using the FXR-II have problems dressing the arm lead on your PT?
my recently purchased FXR has the thick rega arm lead and it plays havoc with my Export Vectors suspension...i'm sure it would benefit from using something like Cardas arm leads which are much thinner and certainly more flexible.....or maybe it would be better to run the armlead straight down and under the plinth as per Anniversary

by **tim_bissell** » 24 May 2011 15:29

In a word, yes... these Rega leads are intended for unsuspended turntables! The approach I took in the end was to run the lead forward under the subchassis, loop it back over the top of the subchassis and out through the hole at the back. I used a (not to tight) cable tie to put a U bend in the cable in front of the subchassis, to keep the cable close to the bottom and top of the subchassis.

This seems to work OK now, but see about getting a more flexible arm cable from the Funk Firm some time soon!

-- Tim

by **rolleye** » 24 May 2011 16:09

Thanks I'll try that Tim, should be better than spending hours trying to get the suspension to work properly, if all else fails i'll see how much internal wire there is and see if i can solder something more flexible on it.

In addition The FXR-II is also the worst arm i've ever used (with a Grado), it hums like a pig...I know Grado's reputedly hum but i've never had it with any other arm i've ever used!
...methinks another cartridge might be the only solution, I have an Ortofon 2M Black which might be better. What do you guys use cartridge wise on the FXR?

by **tim_bissell** » 24 May 2011 20:40

I have tried my AT32EII, AT33PTG and a Dynavector 10x5 on it - no problems whatsover with them, luckily!

-- Tim

by **Abandonflip** » 25 May 2011 01:39

rolleye wrote:In addition The FXR-II is also the worst arm i've ever used (with a Grado), it hums like a pig...I know Grado's reputedly hum but i've never had it with any other arm i've ever used!

Sorry guys but I'm not a big fan of the FXR - it's based on one of the most over-rated arms of all time after all

If you want a proper carbon arm, the WB's knock it into a cocked hat every time (ok I appreciate they're a whole lot more expensive)

by **elwy** » 25 May 2011 12:35

I had a Rega arm converted to an FXR fitted with a 5 pin plug so had no problem with the wiring. I did experience severe hum though. I have a Dynavector DV20XL cartridge fitted. I connected an earth wire from my P75 phono stage to the earth connection on the preamp and the hum disappeared. I have also found it difficult to align the cartridge. Using various protractors, I have had to slide the cartridge fully to the rear of the carrier/headshell in order to achieve correct alignment. It sounds OK but just doesn't look right. Has anyone else experienced this?

by **rolleye** » 25 May 2011 12:50

The Grado on mine currently sits about 4mm from the rear of the carrier/headshell and yes it does look a bit odd, however i do recall the same thing on an AudioMods arm but you can't see it underneath the headshell

.... perhaps measuring the length of the FXR-II might give some clues when compared to a bog standard Rega.

Regarding the hummmmmmm, I've connected the FXR's earth lead directly to the pre-amp (Jordan) as it has its own phono section but it still hums, louder as the arm nears the centre of the platter. I know this is caused by the Grado as they are known for 'humming' so i'm going to try a couple of other cartridges just to confirm it.

by **tim_bissell** » 25 May 2011 14:11

@Phil (abandonflip)

I agree insofar as I bought the FXR (after borrowing one for a few weeks) in spite of the Rega parts! I just really like the noises it makes, so for me the changes (new headshell, arm wand, bearings, arm pillar, wiring) outweigh the ugly Rega bits left.

I preferred my old Helius arms (Scorpio 2 and Orion) to stock Regas for the engineering, looks and sounds - I would love it if Funk could take (say) a Scorpio 4 and put the FXR arm wand on it, but I think that Rega are the only UK firm which can provide a reliable volune supply of arms, and are happy for other firms to sell modified (not just rebadged) versions.

If money really were no object, I'm not sure what arm I'd go for; I'm not a fan of the WB look, but they seem light enough for a PT so I am sure I'd take a listen!

-- Tim

by **tim_bissell** » 25 May 2011 14:17

@elwy

Doesn't sound right to me... My DV 10x5 (different cartridge, I know) was aligned with the headshell bolt centre 228mm from the pivot point -- what turntable is your FXR fitted on? Is the spindle/pivot distance the standard 222mm?

-- Tim

by **rolleye** » 25 May 2011 17:44

tim_bissell wrote:@elwy

Doesn't sound right to me... My DV 10x5 (different cartridge, I know) was aligned with the headshell bolt centre 228mm from the pivot point -- what turntable is your FXR fitted on? Is the spindle/pivot distance the standard 222mm?

Now there's a thing...my Grado Signature 6 is 228mm from headshell bolt centre to pivot point

by **elwy** » 25 May 2011 22:03

The FXR is fitted to a Gyrodec which is commonly fitted with Rega or Rega based arms. The pivot to centre of bolt is around 224mm. This arm was adapted from a RB700. The protractors I have used are ones downloaded from this site along with a Polaris Plus. The cartridge aligns accurately with these but only by being fully pushed back in the carrier. I am trusting that the arm has been adapted accurately.

by **rolleye** » 25 May 2011 22:48

whats the arm pivot to platter spindle distance? for rega fitting arms it should be 222mm

by **elwy** » 25 May 2011 23:44

According to my measurement it's around 220mm. The armboard is the correct Michell one for Rega arms so this should be OK.

by **Abandonflip** » 26 May 2011 00:23

Do FF rewire the arm when they modify it?

If they use the standard Rega wiring, this can most certainly be improved. It's a bit concerning to think they use the Rega arm cable - surely this is a very weak link (not just in the fact that you can't dress it properly in the plinth).