Koetsu Jade v SPU classic v FR 7 fz cartidges


Greetings to all !
I am hoping to get some advice concerning my analogue set up.
I use a Brinkmann La Grange turntable with a FR 66s tone arm.
I bought the FR 66 as a high mass "match" for my Koetsu Jade cartridge which has just been fully rebuilt by Koetsu with diamond cantilever.
The rest of the system is Allnic H 3000 phono stage , Allnic L 5000 line stage, Aklnic A 6000 monoblocks and Quad 2905 speakers / Audiophysic Rhea 2 subwoofers (pair).
I listen to a lot of choral classical music and for this the midrange needs to be really " organic" and free from any harshness or glassiness and , very importantly, the cartridge needs to track demanding loud and complex passages properly.
In this latter regard I am not 100% convinced by the Koetsu. It has been professionally installed in the FR 66 using proper alignment tools and is mounted in an Orsonic headshell. Yet to my ears it gets " nervous" in certain demanding passages of music .
I have tried increasing the VTF to 2.5 grams (the maximum recommended is apparently 2.2 gm ?) and this does seem to improve things but I assume that this will have som negative effects given it is some way over the " limit".
I just bought a " standard" SPU Classic (with spherical stylus) in the integrated headshell and, tracking this at 4 gm, I was instantly bowled over by the " organic" midrange in the type of music referred to above.
After a series of "A/B" comparisons with the Koetsu I am struggling to say I really prefer the Koetsu to listen to in my system , although it clearly has greater frequency extremes, transparency and detail than the basic SPU ( it costs over ten times as much !!)
I was wondering if anybody out there has had similar experiences with Koetsu stone bodied cartridges ?
I am now thinking of going for one of the FR 7 cartridges ( fz version) and again would welcome any comments on this and how it might compare to the Koetsu / SPU ?
With kind regards,
Howard
128x128howardalex

Showing 5 responses by howardalex

Hi Syntax,
Thanks for the reply .
Yes the VTF dial does click when I change its settings...
I just ordered an FR 7 fz and it arrives next week - should be interesting !!
Best regards
Howard
Halcro,
Thanks for the reply - I will follow that advice and look for something other than the orsonic (which is a genuine item in this case !)
Kind regards
Howard
Hi Debingaman,
I do actually have an original FR headshell that came with the FR 66 but was advised that it would be a struggle to get the Koetsu Jade to fit it (!)
I will take a closer look at it ...
Best regards
Howard
Hi Chakster,
actually it's just the basic SPU ( " Ortofon Classic GM mik Ii ") which I believe has the spherical stylus (there is an " E" version of this cartridge, denoting elyptical, but I went for the spherical !)
I don't use any SUT - just the gain/ impedance settings on the Allnic phono stage, which seems to work ok.
Kind regards
Howard
Thanks Lewm,
The connection between the Orsonic and the FR 66 arm seems very secure so I don't believe there is an issue there.
Re SUT - that's just my ignorance showing through !!