Koetsu compliance compatibility issues


hi guys,

am wondering, what arms are you guys using w/ the koetsu carts.
For example, a black has compliance of 5 only and weight is 9 grams.
If i use an arm of 14 grams, its resonance frequency is 15 hz which is the upper limit of being acceptable.
Nonetheless, would like to hear inputs on real world situations on what arms you guys are using with koetsu & despite of the high resonance frequency on most common arms, how the sound is ?
Thanks for the inputs.
nolitan

Showing 2 responses by geoch

The Onyx (Sugano) was a complete disaster with my Pluto 9A.
In contrast, this arm matches almost well with the Goldfinger (similar mass/different compliance). It seems its a matter of compliance more than cartridge's mass. But this is a contradiction as later, after mounting the Denon DL103 (even less compliance than Onyx) the results were also unacceptable , but better than Onyx due to the lighter Denon body.
What was really happened ?
The Goldfinger has a phenomenal trackability especially in contrast with the Onyx.
This alone was enough for me to stop trying to find a proper arm for Koetsu.
Of course those are examples of extemely wrong matching (uknown Pluto effective mass) & if you dare to test for trackability, you may aware that you have a damaged Koetsu sample.
Now with the Colibri (less than half the weight of both & 35 Cu compliance) my Pluto makes the perfect pair.
So, don't bother. You simply can't trick the formula.
The Alphason HR100 is a great arm for Denon DL304, so maybe matches equally well with Koetsu Black.
If you really like the unique Koetsu sound, you must first purchase a robust & preferably 12" arm. Then, pair them with an electrostatic speaker & some OTL power amps.
Somehow I feel that letting your Koetsu decide for your system building, maybe is a little too much love for her.
Sorry for I can't help a lot, but I value Koetsus even less than DL304 and way below the DLS1. They have much character to enjoy, but the trade-offs are many more.
Having said that,I admit that If I would like electrostatics (over horns) & OTL (over SET), I definitely give a chance to Koetsu.
It has a beauty unable to find elsewhere in the chain.

George
Hi Lewm,
"forget the formula but to try in a general way to match a low compliance cartridge with a medium to high mass tonearm, etc, etc."

well said. I definitely agree.

I suggest a 12" arm that helps trackability & makes a good match with heavy & low compliance cartridges. But a Koetsu is not the ordinary such cartridge and so the overall sound mix may becomes too relaxed & grand with the average 12' arm (think of SME, Ortofon, -but not DaVinci or Reed-).
It is a system depended situation. As always.
Anyway my system set-up does not benefit from the Sugano Onyx so, I can only express my limited experience.

George