Buying A Cartridge Direct From Japan


Seems like there can be some decent savings when buying certain cartridges directly from Japan, vs buying from here in the US. Since I'm just learning about cartridges, would there be any kind of difference between a Japan model and a US model, maybe electrically or something, that would prevent using a Japan model here in the US? I would think they would be exactly the same, but I want to be sure before I maybe do anything. Thanks.
duvallite
Interestingly, it seems that Koetsu has stopped selling new cartridges to the Japanese market. So it’s no longer the best place to find discounted new Koetsu, as they will likely be re-imports (but still better than the US distributor prices, which are stratospheric). However, you can still get a Koetsu rebuilt in Japan, which makes for an excellent value proposition if using a reasonable deputy service; EIFL advertises this, though I haven’t tried them. The full-rebuild price of any stone-body platinum, from Japan or Asia, is around 2200 give or take 100 -- and since it’s a full rebuild, and not just a re-tip, you essentially get a new cartridge on your old shell. Whereas the US dealers want in excess of $5000 (last I checked) for the strenuous service of passing a single 16 Oz. package two ways; tidy little profit, I’d say.

If you do it right, the total cost of ownership for a Koetsu (Onyx, Coralstone, Blue Lace) is actually by far the MOST reasonable amongst the high-end cartridges, which flies in the face of their long-earned reputation for ludicrously priced cartridges. I’ve been extremely happy with mine, for several years now.
If I want a rosewood standard or rosewood signature, is there a route to get it relatively inexpensively, either new or a reliable demo, and feel very confident about it's provenance?

Stay away from 2juki! He took my money and the cartridge. Not good, he sales fake goods!