wspohn:
I have fairly decent hardware. I have an Aesthetix Rhea Signature phono, an Aesthetix Calypso Signature linestage going into a couple of Krell 600 monoblocks. I have a Dynavector DRT XV-1s I really like, as well as my Urushi Black. I have the Urushi mounted on a 1974 Pioneer PL-71. I had trouble at first, but after talking to Koetsu, I found out my problem was with tonearm mass. It may sound getto, but I installed a thin strip of Dynamat along the arm itself, with a cut of refrigeration permagum on the headshell, then balanced the tonearm out. It made the difference between night and day. I've had SO many tell me there's just no way, my Pioneer can sound anywhere close to my VPI, but it does. I'm getting ready to install the Koetsu on my VPI Scoutmaster, to see how that sounds. I love both carts, just thought of maybe trying something new. Historically, I'm not one of these people who is constantly changing their equipment. I put some very low noise tubes in my Rhea and they really brought my noise floor down on my phono preamp. I really like my sound and it's very articulate, with good soundstage and imaging. I built a modified QRD-13 that is flush with my front wall. Being 20" deep, it really helped broaden my imaging. My Rhea has several stages of gain and I run both carts on 62, which leaves me plenty of room for a lower output cart. I considered buying a SUT, but don't feel I need it. Wish I had one to try, without actually buying it. I found I can purchase a new Koetsu direct from Japan, at a significant savings. At this point, I may just stick with what I have. I live in the Nashville Tennessee area and there's only one high end store I'm familiar with and they don't carry Koetsu. I'm always appreciative of any comments or suggestions.
Steve
