When I was in college I got bit by the audio bug. I dreamed of turntables and analog gear, as digital was in its infancy. My unicorns were the Koetsu Rosewood, the Mission Rosewood, and the Kiseki Purpleheart.
I have never seen a Mission Rosewood. I have owned a Koetsu Urushi Wajima.
This weekend I came across an offering for a 1st generation, not one of these new stock ones, Kiseki Blackheart that is still original. I negioated a reasonable price, Not a killer deal, but then these Blackhearts dont come up often, and its cheaper than many people want for a Blue Silver Spot or Gold Spot.
So it ships today and will be here shortly. The plan is to install it on the Dynavector DV505 arm and play it for a few months. Then it will go to Chris at AllClear Audio for a new diamond and tuneup.
I own an Ortofon MC2000/T2000, and now a Kiseki. I would love a stone body Kiseki or Koetsu. But my little vintage collection of cartridges is becoming dear to me.