Kiseki Agate Ruby: Thoughts Opinions Or Observations?

This was a very good cartridge back in the day, but to be honest, they are just too old. You could spend a fortune to get one in "seemingly" great condition but really its unlikely that the suspension is in good shape, how long will it last.

Even if it runs, it is unlikely to be up to spec on sound quality compared with when it was new. You have to let the dream go.

If you persist maybe you should consider sending it to Ana Mighty Sound in France and get them to check the condition, not only of the stylus, but also the dampers.

They can probably effect the repair of the dampers if they are in poor condition.

Might cost you a bit but at least you get your dream fulfilled with a vintage cartridge that has been properly vetted and up to spec.

@neonknight I can relate to your position. I also own and adore MC2000 and Transfiguration Proteus and was rather underwhelmed by the Koetsu Rosewood and Urushi. So what about the Kiseki? I owned the Agate for a while but its suspension was not up to spec and it needed a retip. I still liked the sound, which was sweet and slightly fat in the lower registers. A lovely sound, but definitely not neutral. As if I accidentally left the loudness switch on, if there still was such a switch!

But it had ‘something’ very alluring, so I was considering to have it refurbished when I was offered a Lapis Lazuli that had already been restored by vdHul with boron cantilever and new dampers. It did require a ‘small’ fortune, but I could not resist even if the original diamond cantilever was no longer there, essentially turning it into a Blackheart in a very fancy dress! Glad I didn’t. This Kiseki has a much more balanced sound (the imaginary loudness switch is off) but has this special flavour in spades. I believe some reviewers would call this a ‘wet sound’. Not as neutral and detailed as something like the Proteus, but very musical. I believe the Agate had a different motor than the Lapis (and Blackheart), but I have no doubt a restored sample will bring you much musical joy. While sonically superior to the Koetsu’s I’ve heard, it does share its liking of heavy tonearms, like the FR-64S.