Carts that sound like a Koetsu

Nghiep,

I've compared the 901 and RSP, in two systems and on several arms (Graham 2.2, Basis Vector, Schroeder Ref, modded OL Silver, TriPlanar VII).

In general I liked the review Fretless posted, and I also agree with him that the 901 lacks the midrange "magic" of the RSP. For me that is a good thing, since I find the the RSP's midrange "magic" intolerable. OTOH, if that's the kind of thing you like, you'd like it very much!

The 901 has stronger bass, crisper highs and greater macrodynamics. On some arms it gets to the point of being edgy, which the RSP never does. OTOH, the 901 on a Schroeder Ref sings like a Koetsu, but without that rounding and gentling of transients that Koetsu lovers love. Until I got a ZYX that was perhaps the nicest cartridge/arm combo I'd heard.

How these two cartridges sound is very arm-dependent, especially the 901. Which one you'd prefer is very you-dependent.

Doug

"OTOH, the 901 on a Schroeder Ref sings like a Koetsu, but without that rounding and gentling of transients that Koetsu lovers love."

That's quite a mouthful in a short statement. I don't like the rounding of transients. I've talked a lot about the leading edge of a curve. This just does not represent what I get with my Rosewood Signature. That is the calling card of the Rosewood.

" I find the the RSP's midrange "magic" intolerable. OTOH, if that's the kind of thing you like, you'd like it very much!"
Ouch! I suppose everyone has thier own preferences. I just have to disagree.
I'd be the first to admit the Koetsu is a better match for lean components. "Intolerable" that's a bit much.

Doug, have you ever considered that it could be that the Koetsu sound does not match your system and therefore you do not like it? IMO the B&W speakers tend to have a boxy coloration which enhances the mid-bass, the exact freqs which the Koetsu also has some emphasis. The ZYX would therefore provide a better balance in your system. OTOH, Greg ML panel speakers do not have the box and are fast, thus the Koetsu would give his system better balance. IMO its really a case of system matching and tastes.

Gregadd,

What can I say other than the old YMMV? We have heard rounded transients from multiple models in multiple systems. You haven't heard that. Music is mysterious. ;-)

It was wrong of me to ascribe that, or an enjoyment of it, to anyone else however. My apologies.

FWIW, "intolerable" was an accurate description of our reactions. I understand you may react differently.

***
Cmk,

As already stated, we've heard this artifact from several models, on several arms, in several systems using several speakers. There is no reason to suspect it has anything to do with our system or our speakers. It may indeed have everything to do with our ears.

Doug

Dear Doug: If I can remember you don't try the KRSP ( I'm not sure, too, that was the KRSP but the KRS ) in your own system.

There are some sujects about the right set-up for a Koetsu RSP:

it is a low output cartridge: 0.2mv, this means that there are not a single tube Phonolinepreamp that can handle with out step-up transformer in a decent way ( no noise/distortions ), here we need SS or hybrid technology.
If I can remember you hear it through step-up transformers and with " equalizers ". This point is very critical because if the amplifiers are changing the frequency response level then you are not hearing the KRSP: you are hearing an " intolerable " sound that comes from the audio systems other than the KRSP.

now, the Koetsus are not very friendly to match well with tonearm, as a fact I put on sale ( only for two days and retire the ad. ) my KRSP because it don't meet my music sound reproduction priorities: MUSIC, I try in almost all my tonearms till I mounted in the GST-801 and I stop the sale. I found that with this tonearm I have the best match and obvious the best KRSP quality performance.
From here I " play " with load impedance because 47K is ( at least from my expierences ) a wrong one and I found that between 1-5K things were right on target.

Other subject is VTA/SRA: this cartridge is really sensitive to minute VTA/SRA changes and it likes a positive angle.

The KRSP is a great cartridge ( I preffer over the OSP ) it is a matter of patience and know how.

Today I use it through an active high gain Phonolinepreamp: Essential 3150.

Cmk: Till I hear the B&W 802D I had the same opinion about the bass performance in the B&W speakers, you have to hear it: great ones.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.