Koetsu

[apropos]

It is with sadness when I heard that Fumihiko Sugano passed away last August 21. For us Koetsu lovers here, we would miss his legacy , and his great continuation of his father's endeavor. Treasure your Koetsus and take good care of them.

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 if Koetsu was sold to an outsider, I feel that similar to wines, it's not just the terrior that one seeks, but also the taste of the winemaker and other intangibles such as heritage/history.

 

[mulveling]

Super sad about the Koetsu news - I know he was getting up there in years, but thought he had more time left. 82 feels too young for a Japanese master to go Thank you for all the joy you've brought to our lives, Fumihiko Sugano. I'm grateful for every one of your cartridges I've been fortunate enough to treasure. Godspeed!

So the conclusion is that an Effective Mass of around 11g for a tonearm is fine for the Koetsus.

Already had an FR64fx when I got my first Koetsu, and just went along with the "they require a high mass arm" internet wisdom. Later added a medium mass Graham Phantom, and Koetsus still sounded great there! More recently I heard my own RSP on a friend's VPI 3D 10" Reference arm, and it sounded almost exactly like it does it my system - does all its usual great things, in a completely different arm / table/ system / room (note: I was able to bring the VdH Colibri XGP which normally anchors that system into my own. It was very interesting to hear both cartridges' personalities transferred 100% into completely different systems)! I'll caveat that this 3D arm had the dual pivot mod, and apparently that's important here (Koetsus like stability?). Anyways, that VPI arm can't be more than 11g in mass.

I no longer fixate on the "requirement" for a high mass arm!

 

[Johan K]

Super sad about the Koetsu news - I know he was getting up there in years, but thought he had more time left. 82 feels too young for a Japanese master to go Thank you for all the joy you've brought to our lives, Fumihiko Sugano. I'm grateful for every one of your cartridges I've been fortunate enough to treasure. Godspeed!


Already had an FR64fx when I got my first Koetsu, and just went along with the "they require a high mass arm" internet wisdom. Later added a medium mass Graham Phantom, and Koetsus still sounded great there! More recently I heard my own RSP on a friend's VPI 3D 10" Reference arm, and it sounded almost exactly like it does it my system - does all its usual great things, in a completely different arm / table/ system / room (note: I was able to bring the VdH Colibri XGP which normally anchors that system into my own. It was very interesting to hear both cartridges' personalities transferred 100% into completely different systems)! I'll caveat that this 3D arm had the dual pivot mod, and apparently that's important here (Koetsus like stability?). Anyways, that VPI arm can't be more than 11g in mass.

I no longer fixate on the "requirement" for a high mass arm!

Mulveling,

Very well writing? ! Could not have said it better my self. And yes, rest in peace Fumihiko Sugano San??. Your legacy will be remembered.

/ Jk

 

[jadis]

Super sad about the Koetsu news - I know he was getting up there in years, but thought he had more time left. 82 feels too young for a Japanese master to go Thank you for all the joy you've brought to our lives, Fumihiko Sugano. I'm grateful for every one of your cartridges I've been fortunate enough to treasure. Godspeed!


Already had an FR64fx when I got my first Koetsu, and just went along with the "they require a high mass arm" internet wisdom. Later added a medium mass Graham Phantom, and Koetsus still sounded great there! More recently I heard my own RSP on a friend's VPI 3D 10" Reference arm, and it sounded almost exactly like it does it my system - does all its usual great things, in a completely different arm / table/ system / room (note: I was able to bring the VdH Colibri XGP which normally anchors that system into my own. It was very interesting to hear both cartridges' personalities transferred 100% into completely different systems)! I'll caveat that this 3D arm had the dual pivot mod, and apparently that's important here (Koetsus like stability?). Anyways, that VPI arm can't be more than 11g in mass.

I no longer fixate on the "requirement" for a high mass arm!

Very nice insights, Mike. It's always nice to hear feedbacks on actual installations than to rely purely on theories and numbers. If the situation so warrants it, purist approach is great, but in real life applications, it's good to be able to 'move' around the set rules.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Hello Mike, many thanks for taking the time to provide feedback. Looking forward to your update in due course. Many thanks

i have played around with VTA and found a bit more synergy with the Koetsu Azule/Telos/NVS/darTZeel phono, and it's now holding it's own with my other combo's and get's a full fledged turn with the others. i appreciate it's solidity, authority and engaging manner. balanced top to bottom. the word 'sweet' comes to mind and i don't mean sugary.....more like joyful. and happy on the wood arm wand Telos.

probably there is break in involved too, as it had less than 20 hours when i acquired it, now it's likely around 40-45 hours.

anyway enjoying it, and it's an all around player on any music.

 

[jadis]

i have played around with VTA and found a bit more synergy with the Koetsu Azule/Telos/NVS/darTZeel phono, and it's now holding it's own with my other combo's and get's a full fledged turn with the others. i appreciate it's solidity, authority and engaging manner. balanced top to bottom. the word 'sweet' comes to mind and i don't mean sugary.....more like joyful. and happy on the wood arm wand Telos.

probably there is break in involved too, as it had less than 20 hours when i acquired it, now it's likely around 40-45 hours.

anyway enjoying it, and it's an all around player on any music.

Nice to hear your update, Mike. What you described is also what I felt with my Blue Lace. And yes, break in is a reality, I would say it's generally on the soft side at the beginning but by at about 70 hours, the power and authority, plus inner detailing, is simply phenomenal, everything comes into place.

 

[ashandger]

i have played around with VTA and found a bit more synergy with the Koetsu Azule/Telos/NVS/darTZeel phono, and it's now holding it's own with my other combo's and get's a full fledged turn with the others. i appreciate it's solidity, authority and engaging manner. balanced top to bottom. the word 'sweet' comes to mind and i don't mean sugary.....more like joyful. and happy on the wood arm wand Telos.

probably there is break in involved too, as it had less than 20 hours when i acquired it, now it's likely around 40-45 hours.

anyway enjoying it, and it's an all around player on any music.

That's great feedback Mike. Many thanks for taking the time to provide a detailed update. Happy listening.

 

[Ron Resnick]

i have played around with VTA and found a bit more synergy with the Koetsu Azule/Telos/NVS/darTZeel phono, and it's now holding it's own with my other combo's and get's a full fledged turn with the others. i appreciate it's solidity, authority and engaging manner. balanced top to bottom. the word 'sweet' comes to mind and i don't mean sugary.....more like joyful. and happy on the wood arm wand Telos.

probably there is break in involved too, as it had less than 20 hours when i acquired it, now it's likely around 40-45 hours.

anyway enjoying it, and it's an all around player on any music.

That's great, Mike! Do you have any impressions of the sound of the Azule versus the sound of your Rosewood Signature Platinum? Or was the RSP too long ago, in too different a system?

 

[Be Quiet...Listen]

Word from a Japanese retailer is that Koetsu (for now) has ceased production.
Guess we'll have to eagerly watch and see what develops.
I hope it's not the end!

 

[apropos]

Word from a Japanese retailer is that Koetsu (for now) has ceased production.
Guess we'll have to eagerly watch and see what develops.
I hope it's not the end!

Excuse my French, but oh sh*t!!

 

[jadis]

Well, the thing is Koetsu was never a company that used media and press releases for its products, operations , personnel, etc., so we're gonna have to wait for the dealers around the world to give us news, or even no news. Dealers would know if there it a continuation of operations for sure as they would like to stock up and supply their customers. In the meantime, let's hope for the best.

 

[Be Quiet...Listen]

Well, the thing is Koetsu was never a company that used media and press releases for its products, operations , personnel, etc., so we're gonna have to wait for the dealers around the world to give us news, or even no news. Dealers would know if there it a continuation of operations for sure as they would like to stock up and supply their customers. In the meantime, let's hope for the best.

Yes, it was a dealer that shared that information with myself.
No direction given from Koetsu as yet. "For now" no productions was the comment.

 

[Be Quiet...Listen]

Found this in my travels.

 

[RickS]

Prayers sent for the family. If the legacy continues it will be appreciated by all current and future Koetsu customers. If not, then I for one count myself as extremely lucky to have ever had the chance to experience these amazing pieces of exquisite art.

 

[Johan K]

Well written Rick, and I totally agree.. My BlueLace gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it ! And great news Be Quiet..Listen. Waiting for something good is worth waiting for.

/ Jk

 

[jadis]

One thing we can do is to increase our carefulness in using our Koetsus.

 

[JackD201]

Exactly Phil

 

[jadis]

Exactly Phil

One user here even told me he's going to use his streaming in the meantime. LOL

 

[ncoble03]

Hello Koetsu fans, I recently became the owner of my first one and am excited to have my first listen. I started a new thread about it, but have not had much response, so I thought I would stop in here. I just didn't want to clutter up this thread. It is currently nude and I was hoping that you guys, with all your extensive knowledge of all things Koetsu, could help me solve the mystery. I'm a bit apprehensive to use it in its current state, given the seemingly fragile wiring, but was wondering what you guys think. I'll link below...

Mystery Koetsu thread

Thanks in advance for any info you guys can provide, and also thanks for having me

 

[XV-1]

What is the difference between the Blue Lace Platinum and the Onyx Platinum carts?
They look almost identical from photos