Koetsu's may vary a little one to another even of the same model. then there is the set up and toenarms used. The paint used has absolutely no influence on the sound.
Mulveling is right! I did not know this but the Vermillion has a different coil and is lower output so the phono amp is going to have to be a very quiet one or an SUT will have to be used. It might be a little more detailed due to the lighter coil but might not be a punchy for rock and roll.
Andy, you can add weight to your tonearm and it will work but you will never have the best bass a Koetsu can produce because you have a unipivot arm. These arms work better with more compliant cartridges. I can highly recommend the Ortofon Windfeld Ti cartridge. It will track anything and is a great rocker. It is about the same price as the Koetsu and should not require adding any weight to your arm. There are also cartridges from Clearaudio and Lyra that would work although Lyra recommends against using unipivot arms with their cartridges.
Mulveling is right! I did not know this but the Vermillion has a different coil and is lower output so the phono amp is going to have to be a very quiet one or an SUT will have to be used. It might be a little more detailed due to the lighter coil but might not be a punchy for rock and roll.
Andy, you can add weight to your tonearm and it will work but you will never have the best bass a Koetsu can produce because you have a unipivot arm. These arms work better with more compliant cartridges. I can highly recommend the Ortofon Windfeld Ti cartridge. It will track anything and is a great rocker. It is about the same price as the Koetsu and should not require adding any weight to your arm. There are also cartridges from Clearaudio and Lyra that would work although Lyra recommends against using unipivot arms with their cartridges.