Koetsu cartridges. They must be something special.

Me either very interested to know Koetsu.

I have LP-S and Shelter 9000, wondering would expect major different vs Black Goldline or Red T, because I heard Shelter like Koetsu, so I’m hesitating move forward.

Honestly, LP-S give me all I need and probably need nothing more, its very unique how analyze every instrument and with incredible dynamics all over but without take you away from music enjoyment.   Also, non fatiguing but not cold, and quite delicious.   Its also like larryi said in beginning.

I’ve had 9000 and LP-S, but not Koetsu Red or Black - though Koetsu has a rep of a very consistent "house sound". With regards to the Koetsu I’ve owned (RSP, 5 different stones) they will give you a fatter, fuller, "tonally dense" and sweeter sound than those 2 cartridges. I don’t believe they give up anything in the resolution department either, but that can be a matter of perspective. Treble is relaxed versus more aggressive MC cartridges.

Shelter is interesting because they bounce around a bit between "warm" & full-bodied sounding models, versus models that are tuned for "pursuit of fine detail". The 7000 and Harmony are "pursuit of detail" models. Accord is full-bodied. 9000 is like an attempt to balance the 2 sides. My favorite is Accord, for what it’s worth. Then the 7000 and Harmony. Koetsu goes even a bit further than Accord, somehow without sacrificing perception of fine details. 

The LP-S I found articulate, but a bit polite and well-mannered for my tastes. It’s certainly not as warm or "romantic" as a Koetsu. And it’s not a good match for SUT because of its motor (non-magnetic coil former). 

All are fine cartridges, and you can see this is very much a mater of tatse, and system matching! Truth be told, my first Koetsu listen hit me like a ton of bricks when Tannoy Kensington were my main speakers - these absolutely benefit from a carrtidge with a warm, full-bodied tilt and relaxed treble like Koetsu. By contrast, Ortofon Windfeld was a poor match. Later I upgraded to Canterbury. These speakers are warm and full-bodied on their own - they still sound amazing with Koetsu, but they’re also far more accepting of other cartridges, including the Windfeld!

The very idea of matching cartridge and speakers is something that I have always thought of as being correct. And do fine tuning with tubes, starting with phono stage, of course.

Thanks a lot mulveling!   Great details!

I heard once Tannoy sound, not that high-end you have, i admit most impressive sound and full body, but never sound like boxed speakers.   My speakers are Maggi's MG-20, i found them middle in full body, but incredible spreading sound.

Interconnect can make significant differences.   I used to have Transparent, its incredible at full body, with my Krell they sound muffle, probably due to un-matching gears.   Now I'm using AQ, razer sharp but thin in comparison. 

Well, based on these descriptions i felt tempt try one Koetsu.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YxE4MGH4WQ

Yes, I saw that video. 

Jonathan Carr was featured in a video where he explained the actual assembly process of Lyra cartridges. The main artisan for Lyra is Mishima-San. However, there are a number of apprentices who do preparation work. And the final adjustment and tuning is always done by Mishima-San, so there is still a division of labor within the Lyra shop. Carr claims that the total annual output is 1200 cartridges. See the following video at around 17:15 min

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fQeut0__a_4
 

I suspect that inner workings and actual assembly processes of Koetsu cartridges was closer to the Lyra model where the Suganos’ were more involved in the final phases of the assembly and there are apprentices on site to assist. And these apprentices are now called upon to carry on the Koetsu Mantle. That must be the case, and the lore of Sugano- San as the sole maker is myth.