I own an FR64S and its all that for lower compliance carts. I also use a Groovemaster Ti and it to works a treat for these carts as well although its a bit more restrained. On my wish list to try is the Glanz and the Schroder broadcast...
Tonearms that work well with better Koetsu stone body cartridges
Hi
I have my heart set on buying one of the better stone body Koetsu cartridges. The problem is I’m having a problem finding a tonearm that’s supposed to be a great match. I’ve read that they sound best with higher mass tonearms. The problem is, not every manufacturer will list the effective mass of their tonearms. I am leaning towards the Kuzma 4 point (11”) and the Ikeda 407. Does anyone know the effective mass of the Ikeda 407? If there are any others that work well with the Koetsu’s please let me know. I prefer new, not used. Thank you.
Scot
I have my heart set on buying one of the better stone body Koetsu cartridges. The problem is I’m having a problem finding a tonearm that’s supposed to be a great match. I’ve read that they sound best with higher mass tonearms. The problem is, not every manufacturer will list the effective mass of their tonearms. I am leaning towards the Kuzma 4 point (11”) and the Ikeda 407. Does anyone know the effective mass of the Ikeda 407? If there are any others that work well with the Koetsu’s please let me know. I prefer new, not used. Thank you.
Scot
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- 28 posts total
"to the point of irrelevance" is close enough to no impact for me. I miss zero nuance. If anyone is missing nuance it’s the ones still saying compliance is so important. It is- if your arm is crap. If your arm is good then it by definition doesn’t really matter what cartridge you put on it. The arm that is only capable of making certain cartridges sound good is by definition not a good arm. It is a picky arm. It is a specialized arm. It is an arm that can be used with good results only with a very limited selection of cartridges. That’s the nuance I’m trying to get across. What gets me, these are all very high end arms and cartridges we are talking about. I could understand if it were budget gear. Cheap arm, compromises must be made. To pay a couple hundred for an arm, and it really only works well with certain carts, fine. A worthy compromise. Totally understandable. But this is not cheap gear we are talking about here. To pay big money only to get an arm you have to change and buy yet another big money arm just to use an even bigger money cartridge, that is just nuts. That is like, "Thank you sir, may I have another!" If that’s too visually nuanced, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIZoVO8ZyyQ (Notice the one dishing it out, is enjoying it.) |
The stone bodied Koetsus are very heavy so you can get away with lighter arms. The 4 Point is an excellent choice I think the 9" arm is the best of the lot. You should also look at the Reed 2G and the Schroder CB and LT. If your turntable can take it the Schroder LT is the best of the lot as it is a pivoted tangential arm. Reed makes the 5T, also a pivoted tangential arm but, it is animated and costs twice as much as the Shroder. Frank Schroder is a very clever guy. |
+1 "tomic6017,850 posts Love it when people weigh in with real world listening experience based on a variety of arms and carts they own. Plural not one hit wonders." |
- 28 posts total