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Koetsu surprise

I have to hand it to my wife.  Like many of us, I have always plotted and schemed my own system upgrades based on my interests and perceived best bang for the buck.  I have been concentrating on the analog front end for the past 4 years and have been listening to a lot more music.  I had been enjoying a Lyra Delos for its detail and upper register energy, a SoundSmith Zephyr Star for its amazing instrumental separation and full frequency balance and an Ortofon MC A90, that I purchased used of Agon.  Thought I was done with cartridges for a long time.
So when on the eve of our 20th wedding anniversary I received a little square box from her, I had no clue that she would gift me something for the stereo.  But there in front of me is a pretty little Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum!  
Its hard to describe the disbelief.  I had never considered a Koetsu.  My impression of them was that they were rolled off, romantic, old school cartridges that had been bettered long ago by the likes of Ortofon, Lyra and SoundSmith.  Never really read up on their cartridges given that their cheapest models were about as much as I would ever consider spending.  
Fast forward one month and I have put about 40 hours on the RSP.  From the first needle drop I was very impressed with the midrange presence and the utter ease and extension into the very highest frequencies. The bass did sound a little soft in the first several hours but has tightened up considerably.  It sounded its best loaded with 100 Ohms and mounted on my Mørch DP-6 with heavy brass headshell screws from SoundSmith.  I currently have it on my Jelco 750D with a Jelco Rosewood headshell.  
I don't think any of these arms are the best match but the RSP does sound quite special on all of them.  Just purchased a 40 year old Fidelity Research FR-64S.  Can't wait to listen to the RSP on this arm.  Any recommendations on the FR-64S/RSP combo are welcome.

This whole experience has taught me an interesting lesson about assumptions in our little hobby.  You just have to listen before you judge.  This is a quantum leap in musical enjoyment that would never have happened if left to my own devices. Anyone else have this type of experience?  First time you heard something that changed your mind about what you thought you knew about audio?

I married up!

128x128karl_desch
karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
442 posts
 
Just an update after dialing in the Koetsu RSP on the FR-64S tonearm. I have tried a couple different headshells including a stock Jelco, a Jelco HS-30 Rosewood (which is heavier and with different headshell leads but still contacts the cartridge with its metal underside), a Yamamoto HS-6S (all titanium), and an Ortofon LH-8000 (all oak headshell with Urishi lacquer). I have on hand a Yamamoto HS-4 (all carbon fiber) that I have yet to mount. 

My favorite combination is with the ortofon wooden headshell.  This seems to bring out the best characteristics of this cartridge which I hear as dynamics, clarity and midrange naturalness.  This is such a musically informative cartridge.  

For anyone else using tonearms with headshells and Koetsu, what have you found to work best?


james1969's avatar
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james1969
347 posts
 
@karl_desch Try the Ortofon LW 800 S lead wires with your favorite headshell.
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 

I nearly regret the fact that I am bachelor (aka widower). Such is

the force of romantic stories (grin). But I then realized that all

my expensive stuff I got as ''present'' from myself. That is to say

since I got  command of my own money .

Not to spoil your exicitement here is some positive contribution

for you.

With the FR-64 S VTF adjuster chose 1g and the added 1g

with the counterweight. I got this advice from Dertonarm himself.

karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
442 posts
 
@james1969  It would make sense to match the Ortofon headshell with those leads however I have read that they are difficult to use due to stiffness and have low quality clips.  Maybe that is not your experience?

@nandric In this hobby, command of your own money requires self-restraint. Thanks for the recommendation.  I take it that Mr. Acoustical Systems thought that this setting allows for a reduction in possible resonance from the VTF spring while taking advantage of the dynamic VTF?  I give it a whirl. 


nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 

karl-_desch, you are right regarding both persons. The one who

need to be ''self- restricted'' by spending money and the other who

try to keep the dynamic arm provision but also avoid resonances.

 Raul will be glad with the admission of the last mentioned ''property''

of our beloved FR-64 S.

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