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Koetsu vs Dynavector

I am looking at new (well new to me anyway) cartridges for my turntable. I have found a couple of interesting candidates but given that cartridges are one of the hardest things to purchase because of the problems of arranging home trials, I am interested in other peoples opinions. I am looking at the Koetsu Urushi's (either a Vermillion or a Black) or a Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua or XV1. I realize there is a bit of a price spread at normal retail but there are some demo issues that level the field a bit. My system is as follows Oracle Delphi MkIV with a highly modified Rega arm running into a modified Mod Squad Phono Drive. This all runs into a Sonic Euphoria Transformer based volume control. The amp is a custom tube amp based on the 6L6 tube (using NOS Tung Sol 5881 at the moment). This puts out twenty watts of PP power to a pair of Quad ESL 63. The cables are a mix of Homegrown Audio silver interconnects with Eichman silver RCA jacks and Analysis Audio Silver speaker cables.
My musical preferences lie in the smaller scale more introspective sphere on this system (I have a Altec Lansing based horn setup for rocking out). Anything from Frank and Ella to Johhny Cash to Bob Dylan to Dianna Krall. I also love the instruments that share the vocal sound. I gravitate to cello, saxophone and trombone over guitar and piano. I want to here the tone and texture of the voice as my first priority and timing a bit further down the line. My listening room is a bit on the large side (30' x 50' x 25') and has a very live acoustic. It has polished concrete floors and 115 year old plaster walls (I live in an 1893 Methodist church).
I welcome any opinions but I am mostly looking for people with actual hands on experience with either the Koetsus or the Dynavectors.

Thanks
Dan
djeickme75
nkj
130 posts
 
Well like everyone else here my opinion is worth a cup of coffee when you throw in $1.00.

I have an Oracle V with turbo supply, IO signature with two supplies and volume controls and use USA monitors and PK 57 ESLs. So our systems share some similiarities.

I have used a Dynavector 17D3 and now use a Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum in a SME V.

Your room is enormous and I listen nearfield no more than about 9ft, back of the speakers. I think the Dyna and Koetsu are quite different and yes every Koetsu up to the RSP may not sound rolled off in isolation but plug in Platinum or any .2mV stone model and you will hear eery shimering detail that is haunting and missing from the others. The Dynas are faster overall. Can't beat that midrange and the top end in the (higher end .2mV) Koetsus. Top end is not as extended as some of the very expensive Clearaudio though for example. Bottom end is challenged somewhat but with quads and the right amps there's nothing like quick planar bass.

Stretch your budget and go for a stone model Koetsus or the RSP it should give you most of what you are looking for.
azjake's avatar
azjake
285 posts
 
In short...High end Koetsu's climb toward absolute TECHNOCOLOR!
in short...Top Dynavectors are "archeologists" of sound!

Think about it.
djeickme75 OP
8 posts
 
I think I am leaning towards the Koetsu's to be quite frank (not sure about the suggested jump to something in the Platinum line, I think my wife would send me to the curb for that) but just for hypothetical fun let's propose another option. If one were to be able to find say a Te Kaitora Rua for about $1500 (used obviously) and a Koetsu Black (Not a Urushi just a simply Black) for say $1000, one could have both cartridges to play with. Now the VTAF upgrade on the Rega allows you to swap the arm just by lifting it out of the mount and fitting another in. So lets add another $400 for a second modified Rega arm. For just shy of $3000 (which seems to be about fair market value on demo and used Urushi's and XV1) you could pick and choose between the family sounds. Granted you wouldn't have scaled the heights of the cartridge mountain to quite the same height but it could be another fun option. (Not really sure how practical this would be from the wife approval point of view as she is already a bit reluctant to play a record on her own, imagine if I told her she had to chose a cartridge first....Oh Boy)
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,049 posts
 
Dear Dan: Well there is other confuse information: I know that the Platinum series has 0.2mv but now on the Koetsu official site you and I can read: 0.3mv ?????, there is no echnical reference about.

Now, for what you posted on your tonearm and phono stage IMHO I don't think that those audio items can do real " justice " to either of those MC cartridges: IMHO you don't have the right analog rig ( those both items ) to match those cartridges but you can buy either of those MC cartridges if you think to up-grade/change your today tonearm and phono stage.

Now, the good news are that there are other very good options that can/could even your Koetsu/Dyna alternatives using your today tonearm/phono stage.

Options: Nagaoka MP-50, Grado Amber The Tribute, Reson Reca, Clearaudio Maestro/virtuoso, the new MM Ortofon line, B&O MMC 1 or 2, Soundsmith The Voice, etc, etc.

You can achieve your targets with these cartridges and with one additional advantage: low price against those MC cartridges that you are looking for.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
musicfile
341 posts
 
Raul
Have your heard the new Ortofon MM Carts specifically the bronze
I will be mounting this on my rb300 arm and Lenco Table
More to discover