Hi,Hi everyone
I understand Koetsu recently came out with a new step up transformer. Has anyone heard it and if so what did you think? Which cartridge did you use? Thank you.
Best regards
Scot
Hi Scot, I wasn't. Was using an original Black that had been retipped. Phono stage is an exposure preamp VII.Hi Ian
Thanks for you reply. Where you using a different SUT before you bought the Koetsu and if so which one? Whose phono stage are you using? Thank you and take care.
Best regards
Scot
I used three generations of Koetsu step up transformers. They have slightly different designs.
The best sound is obtained with the cartridge and SUT in the same era. Try to use a new SUT with old Koetsu cartridge usually does not give good result. The transformers were wired and tuned to suit the carts produced at the time.
The wooden box in the past can actually be removed and played naked. Without the wooden box, the sound is faster and more direct. I tried almost every possible ways to use them. The new metal chassis can also be removed as well.View attachment 83202View attachment 83203View attachment 83204
Great pics and information. I have the new sut using with the new urushi tsugaru. Loving the combination at the moment.I used three generations of Koetsu step up transformers. They have slightly different designs.
The best sound is obtained with the cartridge and SUT in the same era. Try to use a new SUT with old Koetsu cartridge usually does not give good result. The transformers were wired and tuned to suit the carts produced at the time.
The wooden box in the past can actually be removed and played naked. Without the wooden box, the sound is faster and more direct. I tried almost every possible ways to use them. The new metal chassis can also be removed as well.View attachment 83202View attachment 83203View attachment 83204
Vinyl playback is really complicated. Every component in the chain can have significant effect on the sound. Correct matching and tuning is everything.Hi TLi
Thanks for your reply and the wonderful pictures.
The reason I asked if anyone’s heard the new Koetsu sut is because it’s a completely new design by the son Fumihiko. It’s supposed to sound fantastic with the Koetsu cartridges.
In the most recent Stereophile magazine in the Gramophone Dreams section on page 31, Herb Reichert talks about several different sut’s he’s heard and the various core materials they use and how it affects the sound. It’s pretty interesting. One of the ones he listened to is the new Koetsu sut. He felt it sounded significantly better than the other one’s he’s heard, especially with his favorite cartridge, the Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum. He said that the combination of the RSP & the new sut were a match made in heaven.
He also listened to and really liked the new DS Audio DS003 optical cartridge.
Is there anyone else on this forum who’s had a chance to listen to that DS 003 cartridge yet, or any other optical cartridges in their own systems? If so, I would like to know what you thought. Thank you and take care.
Best regards
I used three generations of Koetsu step up transformers. They have slightly different designs.
The best sound is obtained with the cartridge and SUT in the same era. Try to use a new SUT with old Koetsu cartridge usually does not give good result. The transformers were wired and tuned to suit the carts produced at the time.
The wooden box in the past can actually be removed and played naked. Without the wooden box, the sound is faster and more direct. I tried almost every possible ways to use them. The new metal chassis can also be removed as well.View attachment 83202
Congrats on a beautiful turntable and stunning cartridge.Vinyl playback is really complicated. Every component in the chain can have significant effect on the sound. Correct matching and tuning is everything.
The use of step up transformer in general boosts dynamics and spectral expansion from top to bottom. It is achieved at the expense of resolution. Some details are loss due to more connection points and energy transfer in the transformers. It is a give and take situation and depends personal preference. I used SUT for quite a long time but now I don't like it. If you have a good phonostage that matches with your cartridge, the sound will be more detailed without SUT.
As for optical cartridge, I think it is the future of vinyl cartridge. It has fundamental physical advantages over MC and MM cartridges, such as light weight of the stylus cantilever assembly and lack of magnetic resistance. It gives optical cartridge higher resolution and better dynamics, particularly in the bass.
My current main listening cartridge is DS Audio Grand Master. It is clearly better than all the other carts that I have. They are Etsuro Gold, Lyra Altas Lambda SL, Koetsu Tigereye Diamond and Otofon MC Century. Once you listened to Grand Master, you can forget about the others.View attachment 83245
The ds audio grand master is better than koetsu tiger eye ? How much better?Vinyl playback is really complicated. Every component in the chain can have significant effect on the sound. Correct matching and tuning is everything.
The use of step up transformer in general boosts dynamics and spectral expansion from top to bottom. It is achieved at the expense of resolution. Some details are loss due to more connection points and energy transfer in the transformers. It is a give and take situation and depends personal preference. I used SUT for quite a long time but now I don't like it. If you have a good phonostage that matches with your cartridge, the sound will be more detailed without SUT.
As for optical cartridge, I think it is the future of vinyl cartridge. It has fundamental physical advantages over MC and MM cartridges, such as light weight of the stylus cantilever assembly and lack of magnetic resistance. It gives optical cartridge higher resolution and better dynamics, particularly in the bass.
My current main listening cartridge is DS Audio Grand Master. It is clearly better than all the other carts that I have. They are Etsuro Gold, Lyra Altas Lambda SL, Koetsu Tigereye Diamond and Otofon MC Century. Once you listened to Grand Master, you can forget about the others.View attachment 83245
Koetsu Tigereye Diamond still has some property that I prefer, i.e. very sweet midrange. A part from that, Grand Master is way, way better than Koetsu.The ds audio grand master is better than koetsu tiger eye ? How much better?
I love the sound of koetsu but believe you that the grand master is way better.it must be one of the finest available.Koetsu Tigereye Diamond still has some property that I prefer, i.e. very sweet midrange. A part from that, Grand Master is way, way better than Koetsu.
Don't believe me, find an opportunity to listen to Grand Master, you will be more than convinced. At first, I didn't believe too, but .....
If you have lack of space storing all those nice cartridges, I can help uyou out for free!Vinyl playback is really complicated. Every component in the chain can have significant effect on the sound. Correct matching and tuning is everything.
The use of step up transformer in general boosts dynamics and spectral expansion from top to bottom. It is achieved at the expense of resolution. Some details are loss due to more connection points and energy transfer in the transformers. It is a give and take situation and depends personal preference. I used SUT for quite a long time but now I don't like it. If you have a good phonostage that matches with your cartridge, the sound will be more detailed without SUT.
As for optical cartridge, I think it is the future of vinyl cartridge. It has fundamental physical advantages over MC and MM cartridges, such as light weight of the stylus cantilever assembly and lack of magnetic resistance. It gives optical cartridge higher resolution and better dynamics, particularly in the bass.
My current main listening cartridge is DS Audio Grand Master. It is clearly better than all the other carts that I have. They are Etsuro Gold, Lyra Altas Lambda SL, Koetsu Tigereye Diamond and Otofon MC Century. Once you listened to Grand Master, you can forget about the others.View attachment 83245
I would like the tigereye koetsu.If you have lack of space storing all those nice cartridges, I can help uyou out for free!
Your right it does all comes down to personal taste and I love the sweetness of koetsu cartridges.At about 3 times the cost you would expect improvement, but still comes down to personal choice