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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
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Thanks, guys. Excellent info.

Apologies to Dazzdax for the digressions.
gregadd
574 posts
 
Doug I have no current reference for your current electronics. I beleive you were a former cj owner. So was I. My curret change of electronics is to try to get that leading edge right.
In some ways I agree with you. I don't hate the sound of rounded transients. I just find it lacking, No doubt so did you.
gregadd
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Gregadd,

Very true. Our c-j preamp (tube) had alot of that rounded quality, on both leading edges and trailing ones. Typical c-j warmth. Pleasant, musical and never offensive, but not fully lifelike. It also lacked adequate power supplies, so our dynamic range wasn't up to snuff.

Our c-j amp was SS, so transient speed was less of an issue. It did have a little waveform edginess, that SS glare, but its single biggest problem was also inadequate power supplies.
gregadd
574 posts
 
Doug,
With my Great Northen Modified ARC SP-14(Sans Xformer, Raul) and Moscode 401HR transient attack is excellent. The next time you get a chance to listen to a Koetsu try it with Reference Recordings "First Takes" Jazz Series RR-6 w/Andrei Kitaev, Bill Douglas Acoustic Bass. I think you'll see it is not the Koetsu that is rounding off the transients.

Gregadd
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