All of the potential choices,here are really quite valid,but Albert makes a salient point,regarding Koetsus.I had about ten years of music life,with Koetsus.They really can become addictive,and with good reason.Once you live with them(though there are other great designs now,but it still doesn't diminish the Koetsu legacy)it is really hard to pull away from that trademark,let's call it "sonic presentation",which is quite remarkable.I do wish I could sport a few designs,and a Koetsu would surely be one,though I've moved on.
I sold my Onyx Sapphire,and then Urushi to a friend,who gladly snatched it up.What he did was find a retip service in England(I forgot who),who did the work for300.00- 400.00 dollars per cartridge.He has been a busy beaver,snatching up an "almost wine cellar type" of collection,and retipping cheaply.He is ecstatic with the retip results,though NOT from Koetsu.Trust me,he knows what he's doing,and has been at the hobby for over thirty years.
Just food for thought.Best regards!
