Etsuro Urushi Bordeaux in the house

[jazdoc]

@jazdoc Do you find Fuuga signature contrasting (compare to Bordeaux) enough to keep it around.

The Fuuga is a great all around SOTA cartridge. In my system, it's chief advantage is that it does everything really well and has no sins of commission (which in my opinion are usually worse than sins of omission). To use a baseball analogy, the Fuuga is the Garrett Anderson of high end cartridges. Not hall of famer but a perennial All Star. You can listen for long stretches without fatigue and if the Fuuga was my final cartridge, I would be very happy.

The Bordeaux and Gold share a family 'sound'. In my system, meticulous set up can yield spectacular results. Both are more dynamic and 'quicker' than the Fuuga, which by comparison has a slightly more 'tubey' presentation. While the Gold definitely has more LF extension and texture than the Bordeaux, I'm not sure I prefer the Gold to the Bordeaux. Paraphrasing a recent visitor "the Bordeaux is for fans of the more expensive van den Hul cartridge sound who may be put off by a perceived aggressive top end".

Hope this helps.

 

[Salectric]

Not to be argumentative, but I definitely noticed a difference between 1:10 and 1:15/1:14. I was using a 1:10 and it was OK. Mike generously let me borrow his 1:15 and it was definitely better. Dave was the one who suggested 1:14 was best for my system. YMMV.

Interesting. I respect your opinion that the differences in your case were significant. In my trials, there were differences to be sure but I thought they were minor and easy to ignore. There were far greater differences between different brands of SUTs regardless of ratios.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

@Mike Lavigne Since you have heard both Bordeaux and Fuuga and own Etsuro Gold, would you say Gold would be a better choice instead of owning both Fuuga and Bordeaux. I am wondering if buying Gold makes sense now and try something else down the road. Appreciate your input as always.

short answer; yes.

not all Etsuro Gold's are created equal, nor are all Bordeaux's created equal. PM me and i can elaborate.

i've not had jazdoc's Bordeaux in my system to directly compare to my current Gold (i've owned -4- Etsuro Gold's). nor have i heard that Bordeau directly compared to jazdoc's Gold, which i use to own. i do have a feel for how jazdoc's Gold compares to the one i have now.

so basically cannot say for sure, but guess i choose my Gold. best moving coil cartridge i have heard.

that said, what i heard last weekend at jazdoc's was very impressive.

 

[jazdoc]

Interesting. I respect your opinion that the differences in your case were significant. In my trials, there were differences to be sure but I thought they were minor and easy to ignore. There were far greater differences between different brands of SUTs regardless of ratios.

I wonder if there is some magic synergy between the EMIA SUT and Jeffrey's Kahn phonostage/linestage combo? For educational purposes, what SUT(s) do you prefer?

 

[zebo67]

The Fuuga is a great all around SOTA cartridge. In my system, it's chief advantage is that it does everything really well and has no sins of commission (which in my opinion are usually worse than sins of omission). To use a baseball analogy, the Fuuga is the Garrett Anderson of high end cartridges. Not hall of famer but a perennial All Star. You can listen for long stretches without fatigue and if the Fuuga was my final cartridge, I would be very happy.

The Bordeaux and Gold share a family 'sound'. In my system, meticulous set up can yield spectacular results. Both are more dynamic and 'quicker' than the Fuuga, which by comparison has a slightly more 'tubey' presentation. While the Gold definitely has more LF extension and texture than the Bordeaux, I'm not sure I prefer the Gold to the Bordeaux. Paraphrasing a recent visitor "the Bordeaux is for fans of the more expensive van den Hul cartridge sound who may be put off by a perceived aggressive top end".

Hope this helps.

Thank you for the detailed explanation, I appreciate it. I was self-doubting myself after placing an order for Bordeaux. Based on your explanation and @Mike Lavigne feedback, will stick with Bordeaux for now!

 

[TheAudioAssociation]

Thank you for the detailed explanation, I appreciate it. I was self-doubting myself after placing an order for Bordeaux. Based on your explanation and @Mike Lavigne feedback, will stick with Bordeaux for now!

@zebo67 - You’ve made a solid choice that will bring you tons of enjoyment. As jazdoc mentioned, take your time dialing it in and the rewards will follow. Can’t wait for your impressions! Enjoy!

 

[Salectric]

I wonder if there is some magic synergy between the EMIA SUT and Jeffrey's Kahn phonostage/linestage combo? For educational purposes, what SUT(s) do you prefer?

I prefer vintage Audio Innovations T2 transformers mounted in an Audio Innovations S1000 chassis. Audio Innovations is the UK company Peter Quortrup was associated with before he left to form Audio Note.

The S1000 has Kondo silver wiring. I eliminated the switching function so it’s hardwired for 1:25, and I replaced the RCA jacks with Audio Note jacks.

 

[sbo6]

The Fuuga is a great all around SOTA cartridge. In my system, it's chief advantage is that it does everything really well and has no sins of commission (which in my opinion are usually worse than sins of omission). To use a baseball analogy, the Fuuga is the Garrett Anderson of high end cartridges. Not hall of famer but a perennial All Star. You can listen for long stretches without fatigue and if the Fuuga was my final cartridge, I would be very happy.

The Bordeaux and Gold share a family 'sound'. In my system, meticulous set up can yield spectacular results. Both are more dynamic and 'quicker' than the Fuuga, which by comparison has a slightly more 'tubey' presentation. While the Gold definitely has more LF extension and texture than the Bordeaux, I'm not sure I prefer the Gold to the Bordeaux. Paraphrasing a recent visitor "the Bordeaux is for fans of the more expensive van den Hul cartridge sound who may be put off by a perceived aggressive top end".

Hope this helps.

I think I'm experiencing what you and your visitor are - an increased high frequency output with my new Etsuro Gold. As amazingly dynamic, articulate and massive a sound stage that this cart is capable of, there seems to be some incompatibility with my Kuzma 4 point. I have a Slagle SUT coming, hopefully that helps ameliorate some of the problem, fingers crossed.