Carts that sound like a Koetsu


Hi folks, it's a bit silly question, but are there (less expensive) carts that resembles Koetsu's soundwise? I'm asking this because I haven't heard a Koetsu (or that might be once, very long ago), so I actually don't know how a Koetsu sounds. The Koetsu's are very expensive, but have a very specific sound, loved by many audiophiles. Do for example Ortofon SPU's sound in a similar way? Or maybe the Sumiko Celebration? Thank you.

Chris
dazzdax
I see them on A'gon every once in a while but the Monster Sigma 2000 was refered to as the poor man's Koetsu when releaed years back. I believe they are made by ZYX now. Try their "The Big Airy" or wait and pick up a new Monster Sigma 2000 sealed in the box for around 650 when there listed on A'gon. This is what I paid for mine back in the day from Audio Advisor when they had a half price sale. I have an Ortofon Jubille that I have not mounted yet but it does have more bass then the 2000 but until the 2000 croaks I'll wait to install it and that sucker has been Rockn and rolling since 97.
My Grado Reference Reference the one at the 1.2K Level sounds very similar to the older Koetsu Rosewood IMO.The mid band sounds very similar to each other,and the bass if vta is right sounds a tad better on the Grado.The real strength on the older Koetsus were this huge wide holographic sound stage,which the Grado I have does it in spades as long as its carefully set up.
Here's a brief Shelter 901 review that draws a few comparisons to Koetsu. Personally, I don't think the 901's midrange is quite as "magical" as a Koetsu, but YMMV.

http://www.10audio.com/shel_901.htm