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Koetsu surprise

I have to hand it to my wife.  Like many of us, I have always plotted and schemed my own system upgrades based on my interests and perceived best bang for the buck.  I have been concentrating on the analog front end for the past 4 years and have been listening to a lot more music.  I had been enjoying a Lyra Delos for its detail and upper register energy, a SoundSmith Zephyr Star for its amazing instrumental separation and full frequency balance and an Ortofon MC A90, that I purchased used of Agon.  Thought I was done with cartridges for a long time.
So when on the eve of our 20th wedding anniversary I received a little square box from her, I had no clue that she would gift me something for the stereo.  But there in front of me is a pretty little Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum!  
Its hard to describe the disbelief.  I had never considered a Koetsu.  My impression of them was that they were rolled off, romantic, old school cartridges that had been bettered long ago by the likes of Ortofon, Lyra and SoundSmith.  Never really read up on their cartridges given that their cheapest models were about as much as I would ever consider spending.  
Fast forward one month and I have put about 40 hours on the RSP.  From the first needle drop I was very impressed with the midrange presence and the utter ease and extension into the very highest frequencies. The bass did sound a little soft in the first several hours but has tightened up considerably.  It sounded its best loaded with 100 Ohms and mounted on my Mørch DP-6 with heavy brass headshell screws from SoundSmith.  I currently have it on my Jelco 750D with a Jelco Rosewood headshell.  
I don't think any of these arms are the best match but the RSP does sound quite special on all of them.  Just purchased a 40 year old Fidelity Research FR-64S.  Can't wait to listen to the RSP on this arm.  Any recommendations on the FR-64S/RSP combo are welcome.

This whole experience has taught me an interesting lesson about assumptions in our little hobby.  You just have to listen before you judge.  This is a quantum leap in musical enjoyment that would never have happened if left to my own devices. Anyone else have this type of experience?  First time you heard something that changed your mind about what you thought you knew about audio?

I married up!

128x128karl_desch

Showing 12 responses by karl_desch

karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
422 posts
 
Interesting story mulveling. Glad she bought it, I could never bring myself to do it... and I'm the crazy audiophile guy!

I am going to try to align using a custom Accutrak arc protractor which I have used for other arms.  Like the MINT LP, these are printed out for each tonearm based on the tonearm geometry.  The advantage of the MINT is surely the mirror.  I let you know how I fair. 

noromance, from what I see, the Rosewood Headshell is actually a hybrid with metal interfacing with the cartridge and rosewood and brass on the top.  The wire connections are supposed to be of a higher grade as well.  

Exciting...
karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
422 posts
 
On the Ortofon website they mention a special Japanese geometry which does not directly fit the Baerwald alignment.  Is this true of the FR-64? I seem to recall a thread about the FR-66/64 that mentioned an alternative mounting distance.  It was a dertonearm recommendation.
karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
422 posts
 
I didn't think I would be the type of listener to appreciate a saturated sound but I hear the differences in instruments so much better.  For example, the different sound of Cannonball Adderl's sax compared to Coltrane. More information? More body for sure.  Other than my tuner, the system is all solid state Pass so maybe that is why the RSP is complementing everything so nicely.

I was going to try out the Jelco HR-30 Rosewood headshell with the Koetsu/FR-64S.  Lew, why not put your Urushi on the FR64S and report back!  I don't know of any Koetsu haters but I know a certain "distortion" hater who has no love for the lack of damping on the FR-64S.  Its actually reading his comments on it that convinced me I should try it.  


karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
422 posts
 
Terry, I read a lot about the Trans-Fi arm and think it is brilliant. Interesting to know that it does well with low compliance cartridges. For whatever reason I have only used pivoted arms.  

I have an U/S cleaner, the cheaper one by CleanerVinyl.  Works great so far.  Makes a big difference on some of the used "VG+" records I buy.
karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
422 posts
 
That's the thing.  I'm enjoying the music more with the Koetsu. The A90 is fantastic too, does everything right but the Koetsu is informative. Have you guys listened to Herbie Hancock's Headhunter's Analog Productions release?  Those bass lines kill me!
karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
422 posts
 
Thanks Bruce looking forward to listening with you!

As far as distortions...Since there is no way of knowing what is actually on the recording, I will go with what I hear as more realistic, more information about the tone and timbre of an instrument.  This is informed by my years as a musician before I went to medical school and my continued enjoyment of live music.  The KRSP sounds a lot like real music in my system.  This was unexpected given what I assumed about Koetsu being romantic. Not a matter of true and false or enjoyable distortions or not.  This is simply opinion based on listening.  

Enjoy the music not the recording.


karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
422 posts
 
Ha!
karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
422 posts
 
It will be interesting to compare the FR-64S to the damped metal tonearm Jelco 750D.  I plan to use my ears. 

@terry9 I love that feeling when a little adjustment work seems to pay off. How difficult is the trans-fi to adjust?
karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
422 posts
 
@13blm I totally agree with your sentiment here.  A goal for a good hifi in my opinion allows one to cater to their moods.  For most that means a high relolution low distortion system, most of the time. I finding that the KRSP is giving me all these things, with just a dash of beauty.
karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
422 posts
 
Just an update after dialing in the Koetsu RSP on the FR-64S tonearm. I have tried a couple different headshells including a stock Jelco, a Jelco HS-30 Rosewood (which is heavier and with different headshell leads but still contacts the cartridge with its metal underside), a Yamamoto HS-6S (all titanium), and an Ortofon LH-8000 (all oak headshell with Urishi lacquer). I have on hand a Yamamoto HS-4 (all carbon fiber) that I have yet to mount. 

My favorite combination is with the ortofon wooden headshell.  This seems to bring out the best characteristics of this cartridge which I hear as dynamics, clarity and midrange naturalness.  This is such a musically informative cartridge.  

For anyone else using tonearms with headshells and Koetsu, what have you found to work best?


karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
422 posts
 
@james1969  It would make sense to match the Ortofon headshell with those leads however I have read that they are difficult to use due to stiffness and have low quality clips.  Maybe that is not your experience?

@nandric In this hobby, command of your own money requires self-restraint. Thanks for the recommendation.  I take it that Mr. Acoustical Systems thought that this setting allows for a reduction in possible resonance from the VTF spring while taking advantage of the dynamic VTF?  I give it a whirl. 


karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
422 posts
 
@james1969 I will check them out for sure then.  I think I will also try to solder up some headshell leads with some Cardas tone arm wire and rhodium clips I have on hand. I know those are flexible and like the Cardas clips in general.

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