Koetsu
- Thread starter jadis
- Start date
You're right about lighting and getting its grain come out nicely. I kept these pics from 2006, before the client took it. Got lucky with the table lamp lighting.They're 3 different gain/ratio taps. The unorthodox ohm/impedance labels are EAR's "guidance" as to what cartridge coil DC resistance they think matches best with each tap. Of course the problem is that optimal matching also depends on output level, and different manufacturers have different ratios of coil ohms to output levels (Benz ruby plate models being particularly difficult to match to a SUT due to their low output per ohm). They are roughly 28x (4 ohms), 18x, and 10x ratios on the MC-3. The newer MC-4 has 3, 6, 12, and 40 ohms taps for roughly 30x, 24x, 18x, and 10x ratios.
On my MC-3, the 4 ohms is by far best for Koetsus (which all have 5 ohms coils). No telling whether 4 ohms or the MC-4's 6 ohms tap is the better match, yet. I have an MC-4 on order (they are backlogged so it will be a while) to find out
If you've got the Koetsu bug (which it seems like), go for it! I've got a mix myself (2 Onyxes, Coralstone, Blue Lace Diamond), have had Koetsu rebuilds, and they all have a different flavor to sound. Some (non-Platinum magnets) have a much different flavor to sound. I suspect final factory fine-tuning and motor selection can have as much influence on the sound as body material (but not as much as magnets!). Of course our enjoyment of the body's beauty factors in as well! I've wanted to add a Rhodenite for a while now.
I've shirked away from using this RSP in the past; it had sounded slightly lightweight in bass (relative to stones). But in the past few years system upgrades have happened, gear changes, and I quit drinking which does at least slightly affect my hearing preferences. These sober ears need a softer top end now - I'll be trying some copper cables to replace my silver, lol. And man, that EAR really brings out the low end. It's really a lovely change of pace for the time being with RSP / EAR - very well balanced, smoother & creamier than the Blue Lace Diamond / Koetsu SUT which is more detailed. Time always sorts these things out for me, so we'll see where it goes.
Incidentally I find the Blue Lace very frustrating to photograph. The delicate fine lacing gets so easily washed out with light. Here's another attempt where I had the main face in soft shadow and had to goose the contrast & saturation to bring the grain back.
View attachment 87002
Thanks for the info on the impedance taps, Mike. Hopefully one day I get to have an MC3 to play around with.They're 3 different gain/ratio taps. The unorthodox ohm/impedance labels are EAR's "guidance" as to what cartridge coil DC resistance they think matches best with each tap. Of course the problem is that optimal matching also depends on output level, and different manufacturers have different ratios of coil ohms to output levels (Benz ruby plate models being particularly difficult to match to a SUT due to their low output per ohm). They are roughly 28x (4 ohms), 18x, and 10x ratios on the MC-3. The newer MC-4 has 3, 6, 12, and 40 ohms taps for roughly 30x, 24x, 18x, and 10x ratios.
On my MC-3, the 4 ohms is by far best for Koetsus (which all have 5 ohms coils). No telling whether 4 ohms or the MC-4's 6 ohms tap is the better match, yet. I have an MC-4 on order (they are backlogged so it will be a while) to find out
If you've got the Koetsu bug (which it seems like), go for it! I've got a mix myself (2 Onyxes, Coralstone, Blue Lace Diamond), have had Koetsu rebuilds, and they all have a different flavor to sound. Some (non-Platinum magnets) have a much different flavor to sound. I suspect final factory fine-tuning and motor selection can have as much influence on the sound as body material (but not as much as magnets!). Of course our enjoyment of the body's beauty factors in as well! I've wanted to add a Rhodenite for a while now.
I've shirked away from using this RSP in the past; it had sounded slightly lightweight in bass (relative to stones). But in the past few years system upgrades have happened, gear changes, and I quit drinking which does at least slightly affect my hearing preferences. These sober ears need a softer top end now - I'll be trying some copper cables to replace my silver, lol. And man, that EAR really brings out the low end. It's really a lovely change of pace for the time being with RSP / EAR - very well balanced, smoother & creamier than the Blue Lace Diamond / Koetsu SUT which is more detailed. Time always sorts these things out for me, so we'll see where it goes.
Incidentally I find the Blue Lace very frustrating to photograph. The delicate fine lacing gets so easily washed out with light. Here's another attempt where I had the main face in soft shadow and had to goose the contrast & saturation to bring the grain back.
View attachment 87002
No experience with the Luxmans yet - it's crazy how many SUT devices are out there! Still so many more to try. I have a Quadratic MC-1 loaner coming on from Todd the Vinyl Junkie. It's a CineMag under the hood, but it at least looks more substantial than their Sky / 1131 models - twice the size. I do love the midrange of the Sky - nice "vintage tube amp" tone. It's everything else that falls apart compared to the EAR.
Lovely Jade and RSP! And the Aesthetix Io must be stunning. I love my VAC Renaissance, but I'm dependent on SUT boxes because its internal Lundahls aren't my favorite. I wish it were easier to find a high quality active headamp to try. I have a Hagerman Piccolo2 in my toolkit but it obviously can't compare to good SUTs.
That Blue Lace is wonderful! Looks like it probably has a more striking /contrasted grain than mine.You're right about lighting and getting its grain come out nicely. I kept these pics from 2006, before the client took it. Got lucky with the table lamp lighting.
I use an esoteric E-02 with my Koetsu Wajima and it sounds excellent running fully balanced at 100 ohms. I used to own a blue lace into an ARC REF phono (original all valve design) which my ex-wife “kindly” sold whilst working overseas in Qatar
I cringe for the loss of your ARC / Blue Lace, but that sounds like a great current setup. I'd love to try either a Rhodenite or an Urushi next. How did you like the ARC? That or Aesthetix seem to be the best options for a tubed phono without relying on a SUT.
From memory, straight into the MM input gave the best sound quality, the transformers (aJensen model) took some of the life away and the additional gain wasn’t needed.
I required a balanced input which the E-02 has. Trying to stay with just a few manufacturers (Esoteric, ARC and Wilson) that I have used for a long time. I’m sure there may be better for similar cost but limited demonstration availability in the North West of the UK prevents too much diversifying.
I may buy another stone bodied model in the future
I required a balanced input which the E-02 has. Trying to stay with just a few manufacturers (Esoteric, ARC and Wilson) that I have used for a long time. I’m sure there may be better for similar cost but limited demonstration availability in the North West of the UK prevents too much diversifying.
I may buy another stone bodied model in the future
IMHO 47kohm loading is too high for a 4ohm cartridge. You’re tipping up both ends of frequency range. I recommend stick between 50-100ohms max 470ohm.
On the contrary an active phono stage took the life of a mc cartridge compared to a very good SUT. I’ve never seen a better active phono stage than a very good SUT&tube phono and I’ve seen a lot.
Almost all mc cartridges are balanced and almost all good quality tonearms are wired as balanced. Cable termination can be rca or xlr. Plug type and signal topology are two different things. Most high quality SUTs are made using balanced topology but they accept rca plugs. In that situation both positive and negative connections are separated from ground. Some have an option to convert balanced to single ended. only a couple tube MM phono stages offer balanced input, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re better.
Hi Nemal1
FWIW, I read mtemur's message as trying to be helpful not patronizing. IMO, this generally ISN'T like loads of other forums where everyone is trying to abuse everyone else. Might be worth assuming its a misunderstanding and give him the benefit of the doubt? Maybe I'm being naive..
FWIW, I read mtemur's message as trying to be helpful not patronizing. IMO, this generally ISN'T like loads of other forums where everyone is trying to abuse everyone else. Might be worth assuming its a misunderstanding and give him the benefit of the doubt? Maybe I'm being naive..
I only shared my opinion IOT help and written IMHO at the beginning of my post. thank you for such a good explanation @Chop.
@Nemal1 you may know better than everybody else and we may learn from you. I honestly mean it. we share our opinions and we learn from each other. that’s what supposed to happen here.
@Nemal1 you may know better than everybody else and we may learn from you. I honestly mean it. we share our opinions and we learn from each other. that’s what supposed to happen here.
After more than one year i dont listen my coralstone diamond,and after reading again this thread,yesterday i put my Koetsu on Vyger,with phono CH P1 at around 80/100 ohm and i can tell is really a fantastic cartridges,big scene and deep,very natural on voice and perfect for lazz,choir and chamber music
Really a must
Really a must
Attachments
-
IMG_7941.jpg -
IMG_7939.jpg
Since your sons are not interested in hifi, you should pass it on to the next generation, me.
Tang doesn't even pay attention to what gear you have, what you change, etc. So if you want to leave gear do to me not him
Similar threads
 | Steve Williams Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator |  | Ron Resnick Site Co-Owner | Administrator |  | Julian (The Fixer) Website Build | Marketing Managersing |