Koetsu Rosewood Vs Rosewood Signature Vs HANA UMAMI RED advice please

I have a Koetsu Rosewood Platinum, and it is very sensitive to adjustment. It sounded good out of the box, but after careful adjustment sounds positively glorious.

I think that you are well advised to have it set up by a pro, but make sure that he doesn't set azimuth electronically, because that usually means matching crosstalk, and for better cartridges, that can be a serious error. There is a recent thread on this topic.

If I may ask, which SoundSmith cartridge did you have, and why did you dislike it? I ask because I was considering one. Thanks in advance!

I am a regular reader of information made available by an individual based in Germany who has a vast experience of using MC Cartridges. Koetsu, Urushi, SL, Mutec, Hana as well as many other types, all having undergone demonstrations in various Head Shell materials and regularly used in A/B comparisons on a Multi-arm Techdas TT.
This person has commenced using the Brand SKYANALOG and has been working up through the range, the reports are very favorable for these MC's and comparisons to High End Cart's are showing the SKYANALOG as a worthwhile consideration, especially when the price is quite different.
It could be worthwhile having a look into one of the Higher Up the range Models to see if there is an appeal to your needs.
  

Speaking of the Koetsu Rosewood Platinum, has anyone else noticed that in their latest Recommended Components issue The Absolute Sound used a photo of the wrong cartridge in the summary review of the Koetsu?
They also made a mistake with the top D'Agostino amplifier, showing its name and photograph and then proceeding to give a review summary of a Boulder amp. Their proofreading has never been as good as Stereophile, but that was inexcusable.

If you favour a detailed cartridge you should consider the Lyra Kleos.
I use a Lyra Skala & it is stunning...superb tracking as well.

Hey @terry9 - I have not heard the Rosewood platinum (and you have the full diamond cantilever no less) but I was led to understand that this cartridge got you a lot of what the more expensive Koetsus offered. For me, I won’t declare it an absolute in any sense, but the stone bodies compensated for weaknesses elsewhere in my system so I’m now at a point where the system is the best I've had it since I put the core components together in 2006-7. I fire it up and enjoy the sound. So many great records out there, so little time....