Koetsu cartridges - myth or reality?

Wow - terrific feedback - thanks so far!

1.- I like coloured presentation IF it is musical (which based on your kind response seems like the Koetsu line does).

2.- If you had the chance to take a look at my system - I own Avantgarde speakers - which are fabulous BUT a b****h to tame! particulary on keeping the midrange OUT of the horn - this might call to try first due to the midrange presentation you all described (and I feel tempted to try).

3.- My amp is 300B based (ergo - GREAT mids) - this stacks up to my last comment.

4.- I LOVE this hobby.

Fernando

I agree with Kurt tank too, I would only add, you should try UK prices if you think they are expensive. I loved my Rosewood Signature, but am happier with the Zyx Airy 3 I have now. I am sure they are coloured, but in a musical, wonderful way. The Platinum series are much less so and I think the Rosewood Signature Platinum probably has the best price performance ratio, if your phono stage can handle the low output.
Look at 10audio the online site, some very good Koetsu reviews, which I very much concur with

I agree with Kurt_tank's critique. I have three generations of the RS (two rebuilt) and two Onyx Platinum Signature (one rebuilt). The Onyx is a stone family member and is much more precise in the highs, mids and low frequencies than the the Rosewoods of yesteryear. Today I have the Onyx P.S. mounted in a Graham Phantom spinning all kinds of sweet music. Yes, the Koetsu favors a gorgeous mid-range, but it's not over blown-just gorgeous, something to enjoy.

Well, I have used both what you term as "fast" cartridges, such as (my current cartridge, the Dynavector XV-1S), as well as the Koetsu cartridges,, (the Black and the Rosewood Signature).

My feeling is that the Koetsu cartridges have positive and negative aspects to them.

First off, they are indeed lush sounding in the mid-range. If you like that sound (I do, as a matter of fact), then you'll love them. If you prefer a more neutral sound, than they might not be for you. If you love vocals, than this might be the line of cartridges you'll love forever.

Second, they have a slightly rolled off treble response, but as you climb the ladder, this becomes a non issue, as the better Koetsu cartridges have excellent treble extension. (IMHO anyway).

Third, and probably the most conerning, is they usually have a rolled off bass response, that is also somewhat loose (i.e. not tight or quick). As you climb the ladder, this becomes somewhat less of a concern. However, from what I have experienced (which does not include the stone body cartridges, but does include the RSP), they never truly have what I would call great bass response. (They were nowhere near as good as either my Shelter 90X or my XV-1S.)

Fourth, I found them to be great tracking cartridges. (In fact neither my Black, my Rosewood Signature, or my friend's RSP ever mistracked, no matter what we threw at them.) Where did you hear that they were poor tracking cartridges, btw?

Fifth, they have a very low noise floor. Ticks and pops are not much of an issue actually. (They were much better than the Benz Micro Glider II, and a bit better than the Shelter 90X.) My Dynavector XV-1S is as quiet as the Koetsu line, if not quieter. (I LOVE quiet cartridges!)

Sixth, yes there is a very stiff markup here in the states on Koetsu cartridges. (Why, I have no clue!) So, if you can either get a used one, or one on the grey market, you can avoid that problem.

My opinion is that they are a great line of cartridges, that are well worth experimenting with. If they work for you, great. If not, you'll, at a minimum, enjoy the lush mid-range for vocals. I managed to get a great deal on the Dynavector or else I probably would have waiting for a deal on a used Koetsu Jade Platinum.

My two cents worth anyway.

I moved from a "fast" Dynavecot XV 1S, to "fast" a Brinkmann EMT, to and finally to Koetsu Stone Body cart. Koetsu stone body carts are very special, I personally love the sound I have at home.