2. analog
  3. 153345-3976

Assistance Identifying an Ikeda Cartridge

Trying to figure out which cartridge I got here, came to me on a Well Tempered Reference turntable.. 

Its an Ikeda with no cantilever, so one of the earlier generation cartridges I believe. It is that gold color that the 9TT is, however where the 9TT logo is there is just a kanji character. 

Vinyl engine has about 6 to choose from, but the pics are black and white and do not show the side of the cartridge where the logo is. 

Anyone got an idea which one this could be? Like I said looks exactly like a 9TT in color, but different logo and no cantilever. 

Thanks!
neonknight
neonknight OP
339 posts
 
@vortex I have never figured out how to post images here. This is a link to AA with the image of the cartridge. 

https://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=vinyl&m=1190847
lewm
12,456 posts
 
If you go into any higher end audio salon in Tokyo you will find ikeda cartridges for sale off the shelf. They tend to be expensive even there. Among the many models there are several in the 9 series. Are you folks saying these modern post-ikeda-San products are inferior? Nandric is a big fan.
vortrex
273 posts
 
@neonknight the kanji can mean a couple things like “extreme” or “top”. 
neonknight OP
339 posts
 
@vortex  I have only seen one reference to this cartridge and it was at Audiocircle. 5th image down refers to it as a 9 Rex  Kiwami. This appears to be the same cartridge as I have. Any thoughts?

https://audiocirc.com/2016/06/12/moving-iron/ 
vortrex
273 posts
 
@neonknight you can see one for sale here but even the Japanese dealer says it is extremely rare and information is limited.  You might want to email Ikeda directly for more info.

Put into Google translate:
https://audiosound.co.jp/products/4e483-17/
More to discover