Kedar - we just need to convince the General to acquire one of these carts for your next bake off.
Etsuro Urushi Gold Cartridge - The New "Gold" Standard
- Thread starter Believe High Fidelity
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This has been a bit hard for folks who inquire to digest. With the exception of the bass, which is better than any cartridge I have heard to date, this cart is unbelievably well balanced across the full spectrum. It is just musical to the max and for those that just want to listen to music without focusing on specifics this should be on the short list. You can try to critical listen your way to finding what it does or doesn't do to be a wasted effort. Because it draws you in and you just don't care.
The Red Sparrow is high resolving, fast and engaging, but I find the Etsuro Urushi Gold to be more balanced in tonal qualities. Of course the Red Sparrow is very cheap to re-tip which usually gets the vote even if the Gold is more preferable in sound quality. Can't go wrong with either.
I hear no imbalance in tonal qualities of the Red Sparrow on my TT but don’t deny you have an imbalance in yours - certainly Kedar and Tang reported an imbalance in theirs too. Would certainly like to hear the Etsuro though in a head to head!
Surprised you are even asking with all of your experience in pricing internationally of cartridges.
20,995
Wow, that is certainly a step up from the Hana cartridges Excel normally make.
I heard it in two, and based on the reports from tang and one other, all 4 were in sync, but completely different from anything that I have heard at yours or the general's. So whether it is the LT, or or some other setting it is sensitive too, I did not know
Hi XV-1,
I believe the Hana carts are made in the same workshop as several other branded carts from big names (costing big money). Interesting vid from Fremer on this. Not sure if it is the vid below cos I see the words “revised” after this one.
Saying the Urushi has "more" balance in its tonal qualities, doesn't mean the Top Wing sound imbalanced. Please do not misquote my words.
Naturally we have never met so our understanding of what this means may be different, but as an owner of both carts and having had the chance to test this cart on my references as well as other systems I feel it can't be explained. I would encourage you to give it an audition when possible and it will make sense.
I disagree. I personally don’t see the term “more balanced” as anything relevant either musically or in audio.
Please can you explain what you mean precisely by your word “more balanced” so I can better understand your point.
Ultimately its all down to personal preferences and what works best in ones given system trying to find absolutes is all ways difficult, both cartridges are truly wonderful and enjoyable within the context of a system.
Within the context of the term balanced, it is either balanced or not balanced so yes I would agree that it cannot be more balanced. However, adding the tonal characteristics to the mix (and again us not having any familiarity with out listening preferences or communication) there is more evenness with the Urushi, easier and more smooth. To best articulate this point I would liken the sound characteristics to a filter. The Urushi has a filter that is more musical and easy than the Top Wing. Top Wing is more on the accurate, hyper detail as a "filter" so you can hear certain things in greater detail making you more aware. The Urushi is what I consider more tonally balanced because it doesn't make you aware. The smoothness you just want to listen and not focus on anything. Musical.
Given the recent trip to Cyprus outside of the reference system and others I have tried it on the Contendo reveals all. Analog on the Contendo in a room with no reflections to deal with made it hard to really qualify which one is a "winner" between the two. If the Contendo didn't have a much copious bass on demand it might be contest the Urushi would stand out more as a cart, but ultimately both were on par with a best cart. Preference was given to the Top Wing that day, but I can assure you on many other days it could easily be the Urushi based on system or recording.
Choosing a cartridge is not easy and listening to it in one or two systems does not really tell us much apart from it works well in particular set up, with a certain turntable and arm combination. At the same time it does give us an indication if it has a fighting chance. That why I have ended up with a few combinations and like to try things out with various set ups to see what works with what before I comment.
Hi Mik,
What are your favourite combinations? Please could you share some photos too - wbf members would love to be acquainted with your fleet of analogue front ends.
on your shopping list Tang?
What ever happened to the Palladium cart?
No itch. My fun is on software now shane. Now I only play with vdh and Opus on the AS2000. And GFS on 927. I thought the Palladian would match perfectly with the Axiom on 927, but the GFS does it better. So the Palladian is in the box. The GFS/Axiom/927 is king for dynamic and slam Shane. Carts with higher output tend to match with my system more beautifully.
Kindest regards,
Tang
That cart is so boring. Heard it a few times also compared with one of the basic zyx modelson your shopping list Tang?
What ever happened to the Palladium cart?
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I trust you and Tang over a local Aussie that loves it. His system leans towards lean with no bass
Hello Friends,
Just published today at Positive Feedback. Greg Weaver not only loved it, but he bought it too!!
https://positive-feedback.com/revie...ArOr_tx87-4vtWBrEADBReHBazLwZGEQjH4Fgpe60Ku6Q
Just published today at Positive Feedback. Greg Weaver not only loved it, but he bought it too!!
https://positive-feedback.com/revie...ArOr_tx87-4vtWBrEADBReHBazLwZGEQjH4Fgpe60Ku6Q
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Rounding off the year the Etsuro Gold closes 2019 with a Positive Feedback Writers Choice Award!!!
Click here to view
Click here to view
Would this cartridge be a good match on an AMG “turbo” tonearm with effective mass of 13.9 grams?
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