What tonearm(s) are people using with their Koetsu cartridges?

[lem321]

What tonearm(s) are people using with their Koetsu cartridges?

I’m considering changing my tonearm to one better suited to the Koetsu cartridges. Although my VPI unipivot Fat Boy arm sounds very good, its relatively low effective mass might not be bringing out the best in the Koetsus even with the added weight at the headshell. Other arms I’m considering include the Fidelity Research 64S, Glanz 1200S, Kuzma 4pt (11” or 14”), Ikeda 407 CR-1

General “truths” regarding tonearms for the Koetsus are that: 1) a high effective mass tonearm works best; 2) the Fidelity Research 64S and 66S are considered the “standard” tonearm for Koetsu cartridges.

What tonearms are you using with your Koetsu? What other arms did you consider? What are the sonic differences in the different arms?

 

[daytona600]

RIP Koetsu is no more!
Family business and will not continue out with their hands, and don't want to risk tarnishing the brands reputation and legacy by selling to an outside entity, which is honorable and admirable, in this day in age, too many originally family owned businesses have drifted from what was originally intended

So please savour and cherish your Koetsu's as they are now heirlooms from another era

 

[christensenleif@msn.com]

IKEDA IT 407= about FR66

 

[lem321]

IKEDA IT 407= about FR66

Thanks christensenleif.

 

[Djcxxx]

Ikeda 407.

 

[godofwealth]

Koetsu’s are low compliance cartridges. You need a heavy mass tonearm for best results. I use a massive SME V12 tonearm on an SME 20/12 table. The 12” length really make a difference. Sounds magnificent with my Koetsu Onyx Platinum.

 

[djsina2]

Koetsu’s are low compliance cartridges. You need a heavy mass tonearm for best results. I use a massive SME V12 tonearm on an SME 20/12 table. The 12” length really make a difference. Sounds magnificent with my Koetsu Onyx Platinum.

Massive? Isn’t that a light 12g arm?

 

[godofwealth]

Yes, effective mass is 12 gm, but believe me, when you hold one in your hand, it’s heavy! It can balance any cartridge up to 32gm in weight. It’s a very low friction design. It’s effective low mass cones from its design, but it feels massively built. I have the regular 9” version, which feels much lighter to me and not in the same league. The Grahams I owned were early versions and much lighter. I can’t speak to other tonearms.

 

[lem321]

Ikeda 407.
View attachment 127662

Thanks Djcxxx.

 

[lem321]

Koetsu’s are low compliance cartridges. You need a heavy mass tonearm for best results. I use a massive SME V12 tonearm on an SME 20/12 table. The 12” length really make a difference. Sounds magnificent with my Koetsu Onyx Platinum.

Thanks godofwealth.

 

[No Regrets]

Ikeda 407.
View attachment 127662

What a great looking set up
Best wishes,
Don

 

[audioblazer]

Works reasonably well on SME 3012R & Axiom- Koetsu Blue Lace Diamond

 

[krugdoktor]

Tigereye Platinum on Jelco HS 30 on Glanz MH 94-s is a dream .
A 12 inch Glanz should be even better!

 

[lem321]

Works reasonably well on SME 3012R & Axiom- Koetsu Blue Lace Diamond

Thanks audioblazer.

 

[lem321]

Tigereye Platinum on Jelco HS 30 on Glanz MH 94-s is a dream .
A 12 inch Glanz should be even better!
View attachment 127764

Thanks krugdoktor.

 

[Nemal1]

I use a triplanar uvii se with my Urushi wajima

 

[hifilife]

Koetsus should work great on an Eminent Technology ET2. If anyone wants to loan me their cart, I'd be happy to test it

 

[lem321]

I use a triplanar uvii se with my Urushi wajima

Thanks Nemal1.

 

[lem321]

Koetsus should work great on an Eminent Technology ET2. If anyone wants to loan me their cart, I'd be happy to test it

Thanks hfilife.

 

[earl3090]

Groovemaster III