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Can I get more out of my Koetsu ?

Hi Team, 
This might be one of my only discussions on here so pls take it easy on me🙏.

My current dilemma is, as the title suggests, I don't know if I am doing one of my carts (Koetsu Rosewood Standard) justice. 

Current setup is:
Koetsu > Yamamoto HS-5 headshell 18.4g > Technics 1200GR standard arm W-achromat > EAR MC4 > EAR Phonobox Classic > Leben 600x > Devore Fidelity 096;

The MC4 SUT is a new addition and it is all sounding pretty magical to me right now. Previously I was using the SUT in the phono stage. 

I know the Koetsu is meant to be on a high mass arm and that is why I added the HS-5 head shell. It is heavy and brings the resonance calculation to acceptable range. I do have to add the added counter weight for the technics arm but with it everything tracks perfectly. 

My other cart is a Hana ML low output MC cart. I like that one too but it only requires a medium mass arm which the Technics is so theoretically a better match.

The Koetsu already sounds magical and better than the Hana to my taste but how do I know if It could be sounding even better?

The way I see it:

  1. somehow hack a high mass arm onto the technics (don't think this would be easy and maybe not recommended) 
  2. Upgrade to technics 1200g (better arm but still not high mass. actually think its less mass than the GR)
  3. Start a new journey with another table with high mass arm (possible but $$$) 
  4. Just be happy with what I got and buy more records 😃

Strategy advice on how to navigate this problem and if new turntable is the answer some suggestions on how to approach that. 

I am not fussy about audio equipment that looks like it can take me to the moon. I am more into older style equipment that just sounds lush, magical and gives me technicolor dreams. 

Thanks in advance!!!

kdogsy
ghdprentice
6,446 posts
 

Well not to make a comment of little value… but absolutely. It is only a question of cost.

 

I have a Koetsu Rosewood Signature. I first mounted it on my Majik Linn LP 12 (mid level)… then upgraded my turntable three times (to near Klimax level), added a Silent Running Audio Ohio Class isolation platform and my Phonostage to an Audio Research Reference 3SE. Each time its performance improved significantly.

So there is really no limit anyway near you. I would probably start with the turntable. Then look at a better Phonostage.

lewm
12,537 posts
 

You HAVE already added mass to the tonearm, by using an 18g headshell.  So there is absolutely no need to butcher your turntable in the process of changing the tonearm. That said, my experience with an Urushi does suggest that Koetsus like a high effective mass.  Apart from messing around with your downstream equipment, you might try adding about 5g more effective mass to the arm, by simply sticking a weight to the top of your headshell.  Since the headshell and anything you stick to it are positioned directly over the stylus/cantilever, you can think of any mass there as adding directly to tonearm effective mass.  Furthermore, the necessary increase in mass of the counterweight also adds to effective mass; by a factor equal to the distance from the pivot to the center of mass of the CW-squared multiplied by the mass of the CW.  A US nickel or dime (I forget which) weighs about 5g.  Try sticking one to the top of the headshell using double-sided tape. If that does not improve things, then I would assume you should look elsewhere for upgrades.  And finally, consider that your Rosewood is already sounding as good as it can sound.  There's always that possibility.

joenies's avatar
joenies
258 posts
 

Greetings 

Be happy with what you have. There is always something better out there no matter how much you spend. But if you have the money it’s always nice to upgrade your equipment.

Just make sure you have your TT cartridge setup properly. VTA, azimuth, tracking force, anti-skate and level.

Joe Nies

yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,487 posts
 

 Number 4

"Just be happy with what I got and buy more records"

kdogsy OP
23 posts
 
@ghdprentice Been lusting after an LP12 forever. There is a nice looking specked out one for sale at the moment I keep checking in on. I do really like DD in the new technics.

@lewm Good idea. I will try playing around with some weights and yes good point! I might already be hearing all i need to from it already 

@joenies the voice of reason sitting on my shoulder. I think I have done a pretty good job of setting up my carts. I don't know how to measure anti-skate correctly. I think I need a flat record for this. I usually set to 1.5 on the technics and be done with it. 
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