Koetsu cartridges - what arms work?

Fellow enthusiasts;I have found that the Koetsu Black Urushi delivers superb performance in a Goldmund T3b on a Goldmund Studio( meticulously set up). Likewise another Koetsu Black Urushi performs superbly in a Origin Live Conqueror mk3c mounted on a MICHELL Orbe turntable, full plinth version. TF set at 1.92gr in my Goldmund arm/ TF set at 1.94gr in Conqueror arm; preamp CAT Legend. Please note that KOETSU quote a figure of 5 by10-6cm/dyne compliance, presumably a static measurement. Several reviews of Koetsu Urushi cartridges have indicated compliance figures much higher, both horizontal and vertical. You neither want a arm/cartridge resonance at the low frequency end of the audio spectrum either too low or too high, both situations are detrimental to high quality sound reproduction.Arm effective mass is only one factor in achieving compatibility with a particular phono cartridge, in achieving a desired result.

Hi Lewm Hi FI News and Record Review. I have owned a FR64s &FR64FX & FR66s many years ago. I used a KOETSU Rosewood in the FR64s many years ago and it certainly performed well in this arm.I would not consider the FR66s ideal for a KOETSU URUSHI or the stone bodied KOETSU's. The Triplanar is a superb tonearm but some users have reported variable results with KOETSU cartridges. As I have stated arm effective mass is only one aspect of compatibility. The Origin Live site has the specs of their arms and other info. Mass loading at the headshell if done carefully is an excellent way of fine tuning if needed. The Koetsu Urushi just loves the Goldmund T3b.Setting up of this arm my specialty. I collated info from Martin Colloms, David Wilson and info from a Goldmund Tech by phone many years ago re set up. The Koetsu also worked beautifully in the LUSTRE GTS801 Arm when properly set up.

Hi Lewm;HFN&RR July 2013 vol58 No07 Review of Koetsu Urushi Sky Blue. Evaluated by Ken Kessler in a SME Series 5 and compared with a Koetsu Blue Onyx & Gold Onyx. The compliance measured 13/13 vertical/lateral; mechanism very symmetrically balanced and ideally suited to medium/heavy tonearms. I have noted Maril555 entry where he uses a Graham Phantom Supreme 11 10" arm with a Urushi blue and he is very pleased with the performance of this combo on his turntable. The turntable/arm interface is very important. A review of the EAT E-Go 12" arm in HFN&RR April 2013, based on the current Phantom 11 Supreme has a measured effective mass of 13g both vertical/lateral; cartridge weight range 5-20g/ compliance range 8-20cu. Measurements by Paul Miller.

Fellow enthusiasts; Re: Koetsu Urushi compliance spec 5x 10-6cm/dyne;this is relative to 100hz; the compliance spec as quoted by a Koetsu Dealer in USA is 10x10-6cm/dyne relative to 10hz.Clearly low compliance. This is a dynamic spec of compliance, definitely not static compliance which is much higher.This latter compliance spec is what should be used when calculating arm/cartridge resonance figures from the available tables. The SME& ORTOFON sites provide excellent info on the relationship of cartridge compliance/arm effective mass and other important factors which relate to performance. The Koetsu Urushi Black cartridge( I have 2) in both my rigs (refer to my entry 07-26-15 for details) DEFINITELY do not sound soft; superb solid, well defined bass, no muddle and excellent differentiation ;wide open midband, excellent depth perspective, beautifully clear detailed trebles,excellent tracking and very dynamic and yes the midrange magic. The Koetsu Urushi is a superb cartridge when properly set up in a well designed med mass or higher mass arm mounted on an appropriate turntable interface.