Koetsu Cartridge Question

Quincy, FWIW, I bought my Koetsu off Ebay from 2juki, and couldn't be happier. I've seen used ones selling for more. I also do not have a lot of faith in buying a used cartridge. Many folks are honest, however, there are also many that vastly underestimate the hours on a cartridge. The general rule of thumb is to at least double the claimed amount of hours, IMO. You also don't know how the cartridge was setup previously. Was it tracked properly? Was it run within it's proper tracking force guidelines? Buy a new one and you don't have to worry about how long or hard it was used. When you can get a new one at a used price from a reputable (although foreign) source, I chose this route and I'm very happy I did.

A 0.6 mV ouput should be adequate with 52 db of gain and speakers with a 92db sensitivity rating. I'm using a 0.6 mV cartridge with 56 db of gain in the phono through 90 db efficiency rated speakers, and I do not find myself wanting for more volume. I did try a cartridge with a .28mV output once (a special low output version of a Cardas Heart) and felt I didn't have enough gain. I could listen at moderate levels with the volume knob all the way up, but there was no extra umph if I wanted it.

Regards,
John

You should be fine with a regular 0.60 mv output Koetsu. (Basically you have the same phono gain as I have with my Ayre.) You will not be making a mistake, trust me!

Regarding the Benz, I think the reason I thought it was bright, was that it was in my system. I use the Revel Studios, and they have a very efficient HF response. (In fact, they have front and rear tweeters, with controls for both, in case it is too bright.) I think that the Benz can be a little bright, sometimes, and my speakers can be a little bright, sometimes, and combined, they are a little too bright. Just not quite the synergy needed. Live and learn!

The Koetsu in my system, on the other hand, has SYNERGY in capital letters! As I said, I can not wait until I can upgrade to a better Koetsu, although the Black is not bad, just lacking a bit on the HF and LF extensions. The mid-range is pure magic, and I would love that to be extended just a little more.

Good Luck!

PS Which Koetsu are you looking at?

Kurt,
Well, now that I know that I need to stay in the 0.6mV range family of Koetsu cartridges I can start shopping! I am not in any emergency replacement mode, so, I may even try E-Bay based on John's recommendation (see above). Based on your experience and recommendation, I will avoid the "Black" Koetsu version (entry level) and look for other 'Koetsu versions' perhaps even the Urushi! I will post a thread when the eventfull day occurs! Thanks everyone!
Regards,

This thread is quite old, so nowone will read this, but I have just installed my Rosewood signature bought from Audiogon classifieds of course. sounds pretty good straight from the box, but its improving all the time. I replaced my Kontrapunkt B with the Koetsu, it has a lower output of .47v as against .6 for the K. Volume levels seem the same, I am putting it through an Audio Synthesis Passion Phono, into a Conrad Johnson Prem 17 and both cartridges seem to need volume up to 40-50/100, as against 35-40 for CD. The output of the Passion is quite high at 68. In short the Platinum Koetsus are in my opinion, going to need 68db's plus of gain, excluding most of the tube phono stages because of noise

try the quicksilver transfoemer.