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

[lem321]

SME V12 on my SME 20/12 with a Koetsu Onyx Agate Platinum, recently retipped by Steve@VAS. Sounds great still.

How does the Onyx Agate Platinum differ from the "regular" Onyx Platinum?

 

[dionisofun]

Unfortunately they are far from being neutral just like other wood arms. They are more like instruments than tonearms. Wood is a ringing material especially on the frequencies we hear. If you like the sound of your tonearms none of the above really matters but they certainly have a significant sound signature.

Is this an empirical observation or a theoretical assumption?

 

[mtemur]

Is this an empirical observation or a theoretical assumption?

Both. I heard them more than once.

 

[thazeldean]

How does the Onyx Agate Platinum differ from the "regular" Onyx Platinum?

I am not 100% sure but I believe they are one and the same.

 

[lem321]

Reviving this old thread as the OP, the wide assortment of tonearms people use with their Koetsu cartridges tells me there are no clear winners in this cartridge-tonearm match-up although the FR 64s/66s, Ikeda 407 and Glanz were mentioned most often.

I've narrowed my personal choices down to a Fidelity Research 66s and a Glanz MH-1200s. I find them both attractive, well-made and both have received excellent reports in the field. I wanted to ask if anyone has had the opportunity to compare an original Fidelity Research FR-66s to the Glanz MH-1200s tonearm specifically when used with a Koetsu? The FR-66s is of course the older arm and would possibly require some maintenance (bearings and wiring). For almost the same money, a new Glanz would be ready to go. A secondary question is how does the FR-66s compare with its little brother, the FR-64s which is about 1/3 the price?

Thanks in advance for your input.

In the end, the Glanz MH-1200S won out over the Fidelity Research FR-66S. The ease of buying a new off-the-shelf item was the deciding factor. In addition, one of the knocks against the Glanz had been its lack of azimuth adjustment, at least in the MH-124S. This shortcoming has been addressed in the 1200S as there is now a "tilt adjustment screw" which is located at the end of the arm tube and allows for fine azimuth tuning. Thanks to all who offered their experience and expertise.

Previously, some Glanz users have opted to substitute other headshells which have a built-in azimuth adjustment. The Arche headshell is frequently mentioned. Has anyone compared the performance of the stock Glanz headshell with the Arche or other brands of headshells?

 

[lem321]

In the end, the Glanz MH-1200S won out over the Fidelity Research FR-66S. The ease of buying a new off-the-shelf item was the deciding factor. In addition, one of the knocks against the Glanz had been its lack of azimuth adjustment, at least in the MH-124S. This shortcoming has been addressed in the 1200S as there is now a "tilt adjustment screw" which is located at the end of the arm tube and allows for fine azimuth tuning. Thanks to all who offered their experience and expertise.

Previously, some Glanz users have opted to substitute other headshells which have a built-in azimuth adjustment. The Arche headshell is frequently mentioned. Has anyone compared the performance of the stock Glanz headshell with the Arche or other brands of headshells?

Here are some shots of my new Glanz MH-1200S with the Koetsu Onyx on my TNT VI table. The difficult part was waiting for completion of the custom arm board, but it was worth the wait. The synergy between arm and cartridge is special. I am also using the upgraded DIN-RCA phono cable that comes with the MH-124S Premium tonearm.

 

[Salectric]

Beautiful setup! Congratulations!

 

[lem321]

Beautiful setup! Congratulations!

Thank you, Salectric!

 

[Argonaut]

In the end, the Glanz MH-1200S won out over the Fidelity Research FR-66S. The ease of buying a new off-the-shelf item was the deciding factor.

Were you able to physically compare the two tonearms lem , or had you made up your mind after weighing up the factors and practicalities that you mention ?

 

[lem321]

Were you able to physically compare the two tonearms lem , or had you made up your mind after weighing up the factors and practicalities that you mention ?

I made up my mind after considering all the practicalities of buying a new arm over one that might be 40 years old with questionable condition of the wiring, bearings and overall cosmetics. I never compared them physically side by side. Richard Mak also gave the Glanz arm a very favorable review liking it better than his previous reference, the FR-66s (among Japanese arms). A number of people also reported the Glanz mated well with Koetsu. And it does.

 

[Salectric]

I made up my mind after considering all the practicalities of buying a new arm over one that might be 40 years old with questionable condition of the wiring, bearings and overall cosmetics. I never compared them physically side by side. Richard Mak also gave the Glanz arm a very favorable review liking it better than his previous reference, the FR-66s (among Japanese arms). A number of people also reported the Glanz mated well with Koetsu. And it does.

That’s interesting. The Glanz was on my short list when I was looking for a high mass arm to mate with a Koetsu. After being unsuccessful in locating a US distributor, I ended up buying a FR-64S from Japan and sending it to Richard Mak for a complete restoration. Richard replaced the bearings and installed new silver wiring as well as the regular cleaning and new grease. The arm looks and feels brand new. I can’t say anything about the sonic differences due to the restoration since I made other changes in the interim, but I can say the arm sounds very nice with a vintage Koetsu Black as well as a Benz LP.

 

[lem321]

That’s interesting. The Glanz was on my short list when I was looking for a high mass arm to mate with a Koetsu. After being unsuccessful in locating a US distributor, I ended up buying a FR-64S from Japan and sending it to Richard Mak for a complete restoration. Richard replaced the bearings and installed new silver wiring as well as the regular cleaning and new grease. The arm looks and feels brand new. I can’t say anything about the sonic differences due to the restoration since I made other changes in the interim, but I can say the arm sounds very nice with a vintage Koetsu Black as well as a Benz LP.

You did exactly what I would’ve done, sending your Fidelity Reseach arm to Richard Mak for a complete restoration. As you know, he is quite the expert with the FR arms and even has a kit which replaces the FR-64 arm tube with a longer 66S-like tube. FYI, I purchased my Glanz tonearm from Japan.