Koetsu Restoration

Hi Dserren
May I know what VTF are you using with the Black now and what was the original recommended VTF?

What is the TT setup of your main rig if I might enquire?

Thanks

Soundsmith does a retip on Koetsus, they do not (as far as I know) rebuild the Koetsu. The only folks that do that are Koetsu themselves. I have had a Soundsmith retip twice on my Rosewood, and sonically it was at least as good as the original.

Sadly the Soundsmith tip proved very fragile in my environment and I lost both tips after a couple of hundred hours play time. Peter quite graciously retipped my cart at no charge, no questions asked the second time round, but I decided to have a factory rebuild (and upgrade to Signature level) this last time.

To your pint, it is definitely worth while to have a vintage cart retipped/rebuilt as they normally have a lot of life left in the motors after the tip has expired.

Regards
Paul

The rebuilt Koetsu Black does have slightly more air and detail, but not to the point of dislike. I don't like too much detail, so I would have noticed any exagerated analytical performance. It does preserve some of the basic qualities I liked of the Koetsu Black. Sorry I can't describe better what my ears hear, I just enjoy what I hear.

My main system is a Acoustic Signature Mambo with a Graham 1.5 arm that has been upgraded to 2.2 status and ceramic wand with integrated nightingale cartridge. To my ears a great set-up and I am also very pleased with it. The system where I am using the Koetsu Black is an Opera Consonance LP2.0 with SME M9 tonearm and the rebuilt Koetsu Black. Phono preamp for the first is Unison Research Simply Phono and for the second Linn Linto. The first is an all tube system whereas the second is an all Linn(SS) system. I have not A-B the Koetsu in my first system so it's difficult to compare one with the other. There are huge differences in the systems and it would be unfair to say that one cartridge is better than the other. I believe that for the price of the rebuilt, and with the system I am using, it's a great cartridge.

Tracking force is a bit less with the rebuilt cartridge than original.

I had my Red Signature retipped by the Experst Stylus company in the UK. I think it's very hard to compare the sound, once you have waited a couple of months for it's return, but it sounded pretty darn good to me. They replace tip and cantilever if necessary. Cost £225 against £1800 in the UK for a rebuild, the maths is pretty compelling

Threaders : Peter of Soundsmith is a rare genius in the field of cartridge rebuild. Many of us have been content until listening to his work. In my world of audio-heads here and across the pond , Peter is the most respected cartridge builder. Please consider these comments before thrashing $$$$ rather than a re-build. Cheers !