I had a Koetsu Jade Platinum for several years and when the time came to replace the stylus (actually after my son broke it at a party of his, but that is a secret grief) I decided to upgrade to Diamond. The difference was staggering and represents far better value than the initial cost of the cartridge. It is also not a bad deal if you can send it back to Japan direct.
Bass and midrange are totally clean and spacious, also much more muscular and dynamic. Top end is just not there until it is- in other words there is an inky blackness from which cymbals suddenly appear; initially you think for a while there is no top end until a cymbal is struck and you realise you are hearing it like never before. Space and stage are immense; we all closed our eyes the other night to listen to the Concierto de Aranjuez and all felt as if we were on a giant bed flying over Spain. A very strange experience, especially as we hadn't even been drinking.
Anyway, well worth upgrading.
Bass and midrange are totally clean and spacious, also much more muscular and dynamic. Top end is just not there until it is- in other words there is an inky blackness from which cymbals suddenly appear; initially you think for a while there is no top end until a cymbal is struck and you realise you are hearing it like never before. Space and stage are immense; we all closed our eyes the other night to listen to the Concierto de Aranjuez and all felt as if we were on a giant bed flying over Spain. A very strange experience, especially as we hadn't even been drinking.
Anyway, well worth upgrading.