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Allnic Puritas vs. Koetsu Stone Body

Last time I had an opportunity to compare side by side Koetsu Jade and Koetsu Jade with diamond cantilever.
I must admit that DC Koetsu was simply amazing. Compared with stock Jade it was like completly different cartridge. Much better on frequency extremes, more airy, more precise, better articulation.
After auditioning Jade DC stock Jade sounded not very interesting.

I am considering Koetsu stone body with DC to my system, but think rather about Coralstone DC.
Unfortunately Koetsu cartridges have some flaws.
They do not give the best sound money can buy,
Are overpriced,
Hard to find good match with heavy mass tonearm.

For the Coralstone I was thinking about Origin Live 12" Enterprise C tonearm 22g effective mass.

As an alternative I was thinking about Allnic Puritas cartridge paired with new 12" Reed 3P tonearm.
I know that this is different price poin compared to top of the line Koetsu, but Allnic have some unique features and seems to have some sonic advantages of Koetsu sound.

Table is TW Acustic Raven AC.

Could you kindly share your impresions about above mentioned sets and let me know some advices?
milimetr
lewm
13,228 posts
 
I don't understand your line of reasoning. You seem to be saying that Koetsu's are both overpriced and over-rated, and yet you may purchase one of their very expensive options, regardless. On the other hand, you seem to be reluctant to accept the possibility that the alternative Allnic Puritas could possibly have merit, because of its lesser cost.

I have a Koetsu Urushi and like it very much, but I would not go higher in the Koetsu model line if I were to upgrade, because I think the law of diminishing returns sets in rapidly as price rises logarithmically. In this case, I will only say that the Reed tonearm is very very good and probably comparable in price to the OL Enterprise. I have heard the Allnic Puritas at shows and liked it very much. You cannot go wrong with either tonearm mated to the Allnic. On the other hand, I won't dismiss the Koetsu Coralstone DS, just because it may cost a bundle and will no doubt be ridiculed by some others who inhabit this website. I have never heard it. In fact, you have heard its near relative, so you alone should decide whether the Coralstone version of the DS might please you. Just keep in mind that cost is not the final arbiter of excellence.
lotus340r
32 posts
 
You might want to have a chat with David at Hammertone Audio who has tried the puritas in many many different arms. I would personally not choose a Reed and i am pretty sure David's best result (which is quite something i gather) is with the Kuzma 4 point. It's worth getting the right arm as the Puritas is a pretty amazing cart. The 12" Schick and custom heavy mass Audio Origami would be other viable options. Happy hunting !
milimetr OP
139 posts
 
Thanks Lotus for your input.
You would not match Allnic with Reed but it seems that you have such a setup. Does it not work properly?
lewm
13,228 posts
 
All I can say is I heard the Allnic Puritas in a 12-inch Reed on Vetterone's The Beat direct-drive turntable, far into the late evening at the RMAF two years ago. We were comparing it to the SoundSmith Sussuro, riding in a second Reed tonearm. The sound quality was very high in both cases. I am sure Hammertone is a fine company, but they are in business to sell what they sell. Do you think their lack of enthusiasm for the Reed could have anything to do with whether or not they are dealers? (I do.)
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