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  1. apropos

    Suggestions for Reference level vintage MM carts

    Yeah, he is polarising. I went far down the vintage top MM rabbit hole some time ago, so hopefully this helps you. Vintage top range MMs that I have tried and liked: - ADC XLM mkII improved - midrange centric sound, soft sound lacking in ultimate detail, but a fun sound. Very high compliance...
  2. apropos

    Koetsu

    I have some questions about the "provenance" of these "Koetsu craftsmen". Haven't we established in this thread that for most of Koetsu's history such a thing did not exist, and that servicing was more akin to a full rebuild by Fumihiko Sugano himself? Someone posted a photo on this thread of a...
  3. apropos

    Koetsu

    Have been told directly by SEA distributor that all innards are made to the same specs, no special selection.
  4. apropos

    Koetsu

    Merry Koetsu Christmas all! I run the Jade/Vermillion into the EAR MC4 then into the 47k MM inputs on a Phasemation EA-550. The MC4 was a "practical" purchase (I also have a modded DL-103R and the Vermillion has a really really low output) and I am certainly "SUT-curious". IMO the Vermillion...
  5. apropos

    Koetsu

    Let's revive this thread proper. I would be curious in knowing what SUTs members here are working with their Koetsus. What ratio with what Koetsu cartridge, and why?
  6. apropos

    Koetsu

    Yeah, I'd recommend Melvin as well. As long as you don't "tyre kick" with him, he should be able to help you with what you are after. I've also bought from Soundheights - and they appear to have one Vermillion left in stock! https://www.soundheights.jp/SHOP/g16826/list.html
  7. apropos

    Koetsu

    I started my "journey" in my early teens, listening to a HiFi system of a friendly "uncle" (actually a total stranger) who struck up a conversation with a gangly kid who was digging through crates of old vinyl in a flea market in blistering sun. As a parent now, I shudder a little when I realise...
  8. apropos

    Koetsu

    Tbh, very sad end to things, to go out not with a bang but a whimper. Ridiculous IMO to not consider a succession plan when you are in your 60s. Shame they were not as good businessmen as they were cartridge makers.
  9. apropos

    Koetsu

    Looks like a "longbody" (i.e. AlNiCo magnets) Onyx. It has lost its rubber sheet mechanism cover. Yes, that would be made by the hands of Gen1 Sugano.
  10. apropos

    Koetsu

    Thanks to all who have provided suggestions re: headshells, thank you. I've done a little playing around with what I already have to see if a change of headshell might indeed help. The Orsonic AV-101b was swapped from Vermillion to the Jade (which had the Ikeda IS-2T headshell previously). VTF...
  11. apropos

    Koetsu

    I would be interested to know what headshells members here are using with their Koetsus (assuming, of course, your setup has removeable headshells). I have a Vermillion on an Orsonic AV-101b, and a Jade on an Ikeda IS-2T. The newer Jade (only has ~50 hours on it) does a few things better than...
  12. apropos

    Koetsu

    If you take care of them (not hand cueing or playing uncleaned flea market finds, for example) and use a TT with a dustcover which covers the tonearm the internals should stay clean. Then the only things that wear out, deteriorate and break are damper and stylus. Koetsu uses pre-aged dampers...
  13. apropos

    Koetsu

    Ekki - thank you very much for your posts. Your blog was part of the reason I embarked on my Koetsu journey - and now I have obtained in relatively short order 4 Koetsus cartridges. They are truly addictive! I agree completely regarding Koetsus actually being medium compliance. I believe Jadis...
  14. apropos

    Koetsu

    Interestingly, despite apparently having an identical generator to the Onyx reviewed in HiFi News 2017, the Coralstone reviewed above had less output and a more linear frequency response. The impact of the stone body on performance or an evolution of internal construction? All part of the...
  15. apropos

    Air Tight & Miyajima retailers in Japan.

    Good luck! http://www.airtight-am.net/shop.html
  16. apropos

    Koetsu

    Excuse my French, but oh sh*t!!
  17. apropos

    Koetsu

    This is very sad news. My condolences to the Koetsu family. I hope that they have a succession plan in place. In Japan it would be traditional for the eldest son to take over almost without question, but I have not heard or read anything about this planning before. It would be not optimal IMHO...
  18. apropos

    Koetsu

    No problems. The Belldream team have thought of that - even the biggest weight fits under the cover, even when closed. I coated mine in satin black to match the 1210 model.
  19. apropos

    Koetsu

    Very cool, but for those out there looking for a simpler solution, google "Belldream Technics weights" - you get a set of 3 weights with the heaviest weighing 43gm!
  20. apropos

    Koetsu

    This may not be true. All platinums are the same "grade". There is no selection. My source: Asian regional distributor

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