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Koetsu cartridges - myth or reality?

Hi guys - I am looking to upgrade my 1 year old Dynavector xx1 MC cartridge - I have heard (and read) for many years that Koetsu cartridges are a great option for those looking for musicality, right timbre and lush-sounding analog.

Digging further I find that some cathegorize them as slow sounding, not great tracking and poor price/performance ratio as well... I am looking for advise from those who have experience with Koetsu - particulary those who moved from a fast sounding cartrdige like Dyna, Clearaudio or Lyra - missing anything once you moved?

Thanks

Fernando
128x128flg2001
55 responses Add your response
sirspeedy
738 posts
 
Well,on the mass over pivot subject(which IS very interesting,btw)take a look at the Caliburn Copperhead white pages,on this subject.
They feel(which is a very good point)that low mass over the pivot allows for a far better ability of an arm to navigate the groove walls,and allow the arm to be freed up to give more detail.
Quite interesting actually!

Best.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
isanchez
276 posts
 


This is a link to a graph you can use to calculate tonearm-cartridge resonance.

http://www.simplyblack.net/Images/pdf/Arm-cartridge_Resonance,_July29,_2007,_B8c.pdf

dgad
782 posts
 
Calculating it & verifying it are 2 different things. Play the test tracks on the HFNRR for vertical & horizontal. It will tell you more. Then you can calculate what your cartridges true compliance is. It often varies.
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isanchez
276 posts
 

Dear Dgad, you're right. Playing a resonance test record should yield a more accurate result. I just thought that it would be important to first check with the resonance graph, or something similar, before purchasing a cartridge-tonearm. I personally would not buy a cartridge if I know beforehand that it will have a resonance problem with a particular tonearm.

Regards,

iSanchez

roydavis's avatar
roydavis
10 posts
 
You can't go wrong with a Dynavector XV-1s or XV-1t.
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