Koetsu
- Thread starter jadis
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I cannot comment on the quality of his work, but it’s not going to be a Koetsu
Agreed. A rebuilt cartridge by a 3rd party is not original by any means. Only your ears can tell you if you are happy with the results, compared to the original sound you know. In my case, since this was my original Koetsu, I was very familiar with its sound before Steve rebuilt it. It doesn’t of course sound identical to the original partly because the original cartridge was well past due for a rebuild and started to mistrack rather a lot.. It now has a new second life. As with all rebirths, it’s a different cartridge, but has the same hallmarks of a great Koetsu. I am pleased.
A Koetsu dealer near me in Berkeley is selling a store demo Onyx Platinum, in case anyone here is interested. Looks exactly like mine but of course it’s an original Koetsu, not rebuilt like mine. The price is commensurate.
www.usaudiomart.com
Koetsu Onyx Platinum Moving Coil Cartridge (Dealer Demo)
Demo Koetsu Onyx Platinum Moving Coil Cartridge for sale-Lightly used in-store only for demonstration-Original box included-Fully tested and working-We are an authorized Koetsu dealer.-California buyers are subject to sales tax.-----The pinnacle of cartridge design can be found in a Koetsu stone...
www.usaudiomart.com
Right. And that's why I rushed to buy one in stock in Japan before the supply dried up. However, I do have hope based on this post that perhaps other family members besides the son were taught the skill. I would have to think so, as I find it hard to believe that Sugano, Jr. built all the world's international stock of Koetsu cartridges all by himself. For sure, the family is now in transition, and we can only hope and pray that they are able to regroup and start building cartridges again.
But for the sake of your argument, let's say that the world's stock is finite - I'm still glad to have secured one from the original stock and will enjoy it immensely until that fateful day when it must be retired. 'Tis better to have loved and lost then never to have [owned a Koetsu].
(I'm also scouring the internet to purchase more)
--cheers and here's to positive thoughts for the Sugano family and their future business endeavors.A lot of famous high end brands are fading away due to their owners demise. It’s sad but inevitable.
That’s fair enough as wellRight. And that's why I rushed to buy one in stock in Japan before the supply dried up. However, I do have hope based on this post that perhaps other family members besides the son were taught the skill. I would have to think so, as I find it hard to believe that Sugano, Jr. built all the world's international stock of Koetsu cartridges all by himself. For sure, the family is now in transition, and we can only hope and pray that they are able to regroup and start building cartridges again.
But for the sake of your argument, let's say that the world's stock is finite - I'm still glad to have secured one from the original stock and will enjoy it immensely until that fateful day when it must be retired. 'Tis better to have loved and lost then never to have [owned a Koetsu].
(I'm also scouring the internet to purchase more)
vd Hul and his sons ....
I heard the owner of Transfiguration also passed away a few years ago. Not sure what happened to the company or its production.
I really understand the concern of not having the original company rebuild their cartridges. And I understand too the 2 sides, one will always want to have a broken cartridge done by the original company, and another would prefer to have it done by an outside party, mostly due to economic concerns. Both are very valid and it all boils down to which you decide to use. Going back to the 80s where the original Koetsu was already reclusive , specially in giving technical info, I have no idea if there were any rebuild services provided by the founder Yoshiaki Sugano. In those days, when my elder friends had broken Koetsus, it was considered 'gone', and mostly just set aside. Which was why they had spare brand new Koetsus beside their turntables, still boxed. Fast track to the mid 2000s, and I guess due to the internet, customers begin to hear about a rebuilding service, ie from Acoustic Sounds and Koetsu South East Asia. That was the Fumihiko era, and he only does a complete rebuild, with only the old shell/body retained. Price was very high, and most turned to other companies like Sound Smith and VDH for 'retipping'. Today it is obvious that the latter is the only choice. I admire those who still buy old stocks of Koetsu models while fully knowing the consequences in case of an accident or 'old age'. That period of usage translates to heavenly bliss for the user, as a lot of first time users feel about the Koetsu experience. I have mentioned here that I had used a Black for 8 years and a RS for 12 years, the latter saw a lot of action because at that time I imported lots of vinyl from the world to sell here locally and some (expensive ones) needed to be play-graded to ensure customer satisfaction. This much I can say, I have not heard anyone who reported to me that his Koetsu simply died with normal usage. All cases for rebuilding in my dealership tenure were due to accidents and they are not nice stories to hear. So a lot of care in usage, as all cartridges are by nature delicate and fragile objects, will go a long long way.
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I was chatting with the local distributor of Transfiguration cartridges and he said since the passing of its owner and designer Seiji Yoshiyoka a few years ago, production has stopped , and goes with it, the inability for service from the company. He presently has a Proteus that as a channel signal problem and he is looking to send it overseas to a third party serviceman. I guess the main thing now is to find a reputable and skillful serviceman with good feedback.
I sent my NOS longbody Kiseki Blue to Aidas in Lithuania and the result with new boron cantilever and Namiki Microridge was spectacular....could have gotten Shibata or ruby cantilever as well
highly recommended
he also has an interesting range of his own designs
highly recommended
he also has an interesting range of his own designs
Hi all - have any of you had any experience with AudioCubes.com?
Seems like they're a US company in NYC with strong ties in Japan as their About page says, "our warehouse in Osaka Japan and a liaison office in Taipei Taiwan. Orders are shipped out from our warehouse in Osaka Japan directly to you."
Their prices are much higher than ordering directly from a Japanese retailer, but are lower than the typical US Koetsu distributers. I was a tad suspicious that they seem to have almost the full line of Koetsu's available, including a Jade. Anyway, given the uncertain future of Koetsu, I was toying with the idea of maybe purchasing from them, but wanted to ask here if any of you have any info about them? -thanks
Seems like they're a US company in NYC with strong ties in Japan as their About page says, "our warehouse in Osaka Japan and a liaison office in Taipei Taiwan. Orders are shipped out from our warehouse in Osaka Japan directly to you."
Their prices are much higher than ordering directly from a Japanese retailer, but are lower than the typical US Koetsu distributers. I was a tad suspicious that they seem to have almost the full line of Koetsu's available, including a Jade. Anyway, given the uncertain future of Koetsu, I was toying with the idea of maybe purchasing from them, but wanted to ask here if any of you have any info about them? -thanks
Haven't heard of this store till you mentioned it. I guess the best way to to email them and ask for quotes and stocks available, then proceed from there. They shouldn't be any different from US distributors like Acoustic Sounds or Music Direct. Last I checked, AS has only 4 models of Koetsu listed in the price list.
Great write up there.
My experience at Soundheights back in 2021 was an unforgettable one. I have no Japanese, Hiroomi the owner and his dad have very little english. But we got by. An outstanding collection of exotica could be found in their shop. Koetsu were barely mid range in cost compared to some equipment they had for sale.
While I, and many Koetsu owners, had hoped that Koetsu the company will still one day come back, there is a post by a founder of the Koetsu group in Facebook that paints a very sad picture on this matter. His information came from the long time UK DEALER Absolute Sounds. The Koetsu Epoch has come to be end.
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