Your opinions about KOETSU URUSHI BLUE or VERMILLION

I believe the Vermillion is unique in that it has half the output at 0.2mV vs. the 0.4mV of other Urushis and the non-Platinum Rosewood - due to its unique coil configuration. If you go for Vermillion I think you would be advised to pair it with a SUT of a high ratio (30x), rather than trying to push enough gain from an active MC stage.

Rather than spitting hairs among Koetsu's I would be casting a wider net and looking at the Hyperion from Soundsmith. As long as you're in that price range. Same or more output, half the moving mass, lifetime stylus replacement, best warranty in the business. What I have my eye on anyway. After the current Koetsu Black Goldline...

Miller.

I just bought a Black Goldline, should get it in this week. Hope it lives up to expectations!

Just be aware that “lifetime warranty” and such may not mean as much as it sounds for these basically 1-man companies run by out of shape older guys. At least the Japanese analog masters often live and work into their 90s :-P

My assumption was that all Urushi's are ''painted Rosewoods''.
This would mean the same generator but different ''lacquer'' which
would provide slightly different timbre in order to satisfy different personal tastes. My own experience is comparison between
Rosewood Signature and Urushi Blue. Curious because of ''the
 same generator'' assumption I was much more impressed with
the Blue than Rosewood. Not sure what to think about ''different
painting'' in the context of sound but I have never heard any other
Urushi and only know that ''our Lew'' is also very satisfy with his
Urushi. Ergo ''consensus between two members in our forum''
should be sufficient for the ''argument'' that those ''lacquers'' have
some influence.