Koetsu Cartridge Question


Greetings All!
I have been considering the purchase of a Koetsu cartridge, either new or used. From the research I have been able to conduct, it seems that these carts like to be loaded at 100 Ohms. Warnings abound about phono stages and availiable gain due to the low mV output of these cartridges. (Platinum editions output 0.25mV) I am currently envolved with a Benz Micro Glider at 0.8 mV output. My Conrad Johnson EF-1 phono stage is only capable of the following load impedances: 200, 500, 1.9K, 9.6K, and 47K. Availiable 'gain' in the C-J unit are 40, 46 and 52 dB respective. My table is a Michell Gyro SE, equiped with an SME V arm. The EF-1 runs into a C-J Premier 17LS pre, then bi-amped into a C-J Primier 11 and C-J MF 2250 amps. Can I make a Koetsu cartridge work with this set up? I do not want to replace the EF-1 phono. Thanks for any/all advice!
Regards,
quincy

Showing 2 responses by kurt_tank

I use a Koetsu Black, and the non-platinum versions have an output of 0.6 mv. I use (rather used to use) an ARC LS-2 preamp and an ARC PH-3 phono preamp, with a gain of 54 db. (I forget what the stock load impedence was though.) It sounded very good to me.

I now use a Ayre K1-x preamp, (having just bought it a week or so ago), with the optional phono board, which has a variable gain of 40, 50 or 60 db. It is currently set at 50 db gain. It works fine, and sounds great, but the volume control is pretty much maxed out. (I will probably be changing the gain to 60 though pretty soon.)

Therefore, I would advise you to stick to the non-platinum versions of the Koetsu line of cartridges, as I doubt you have the gain necessary to get 0.25 mv output to work. If you can afford it, I recommend that you get the Urushi, which is the top of the non-platinum line. From my research, it is among the best cartridges available. Also, you might want to check around on both Audiogon as well as Ebay, as there are some people who sell Koetsu's for about 1/2 the price that the normal dealers do. (I suspect that they buy them directly in Japan for about 40% the usual price, and resell them here for a decent, but not obscene profit. I really wonder why Koetsu cartridges have such a large markup here? I think if they were to cut the price in half, they would really be in a position to compete very favorable with the Shelter line. My opinion of course.)

PS Did you get tired of the slight brightness of the Glider? (It got to be a little fatiguing to me, which was why I upgraded to the Koetsu. I hope to upgrade to an Urushi myself at some point.)

PPS By the way, check out the Koetsu reviews on this site:

http://www.10audio.com/koetsu.htm
You should be fine with a regular 0.60 mv output Koetsu. (Basically you have the same phono gain as I have with my Ayre.) You will not be making a mistake, trust me!

Regarding the Benz, I think the reason I thought it was bright, was that it was in my system. I use the Revel Studios, and they have a very efficient HF response. (In fact, they have front and rear tweeters, with controls for both, in case it is too bright.) I think that the Benz can be a little bright, sometimes, and my speakers can be a little bright, sometimes, and combined, they are a little too bright. Just not quite the synergy needed. Live and learn!

The Koetsu in my system, on the other hand, has SYNERGY in capital letters! As I said, I can not wait until I can upgrade to a better Koetsu, although the Black is not bad, just lacking a bit on the HF and LF extensions. The mid-range is pure magic, and I would love that to be extended just a little more.

Good Luck!

PS Which Koetsu are you looking at?