Thank You Fumihiko Sugano and Koetsu

Mulveling,

That is an excellent description of the Koetsu sound and why they are adored.  I don't own one, but, a lot of people I know do have them and I am quite familiar with the sound and I like them a lot.  I own quite different cartridges--a Lyra Titan and a Transfiguration Orpheus L--but I sort of wish I had invested in a Koetsu.  Cartridges with a similar sound as a Koetsu are also not cheap, such as the Allaerte cartridges.  

I don't play as much vinyl these days as I did in the past, so I am not likely to be replacing any cartridge in the near future.  If I did have to buy another, it might be a Koetsu, although my Vector tonearm is probably not ideal (not enough mass), and I have heard another cartridge that I like very much--the Audio Technica ART-1000--a leaner but very lively cartridge.

When even top cartridges sound so different, which one is more correct?

Tape is correct. More or less.

My Blue Lace is up and running as of today.  The change from the Rosewood Platinum is material, even in the first hours of use.  While that is a fine cartridge, the fullness and warmth it brings to Bill Evans’ “Waltz for Debbie” (the latest Craft re-issue) or my original pressing of Tracy Chapman, is easily heard.

I have begun experimenting with several SUTs, and am currrently favoring the CSPort.  I am also trying out an SA Lab, which has similar specs to the Koetsu SUT, but currently like the CSPort.  @mulveling  — I know you have tried a few different units and would be interested in your current favorite with the Blue Lace.

Reports are circulating out of the Koetsu Users Facebook group that Koetsu is no more. The family has decided not to sell to a third party to continue the brand.

I don't have a Koetsu, although I have considered one before. I have two Lyra Atlas Lambda (SL + Mono) and the builder is in his 70s, so that's always in the back of my mind for repairs/rebuilds. He does have an apprentice though.

There is further substantiation to the Story that is evolving after seeing a very recent report that Koetsu are no Longer in Business as follows:

"It's with a very heavy heart, I sadly have to report that Koetsu is no more!

 Having had a conversation with Koetsu's longest standing Distributor in the UK, Absolute Sounds, the simplified story is, that the family don't want the business to continue outwith their hands, and don't want to risk tarnishing the brands reputation and legacy by selling to an outside entity, which is honorable and admirable, in this day in age, too many originally family owned  businesses have drifted from what was originally intended, take Gucci as an example, now a massive corporation with no family members involved, and dare I say long lost their original direction."