Phono recommendations for Koetsu

It is a matter of taste; the only Koetsu I have sold so far[ a Vermillion] is being used with a Tron phono stage [tube] and works well. But SUTs work also and Audio Note makes some good ones. Their top one is fantastic by all reports but mega $. The Bob's Devices SUT would be a good one to try if you are not sure ; you would lose few dollars if you found you didn't like SUTs or wanted to upgrade to a more expensive one. I think what you should ask yourself is whether you like the sound of your present phono stage; if so I would try a SUT. I am getting a Rosewood myself shortly pending selling some gear ; it is a good choice in the price/performance spectrum.

A few options: I believe Bob from Bob's devices uses a Koetsu.
Another member uses a Choir Hashimoto SUT w/ his Onyx. Another option is David from almost live audio, who carries Koetsu and A-N SUT's. Another very good line is the Silver Core from Germany. Since you already have a phono stage, perhaps you could try a few SUT's.

I have auditioned about a dozen SUT's for my Koetsu's (originally had Redwood Platinum and now have Onyx Platinum). My two favorites are:

1) Choir Audio H7. It uses the best available transformer from Hashimoto. Price is $1679 and Choir offers a 30 day in home trial.

2) Cinemag 1131 (blue label) from Bob's Devices. Price is $1195

I have purchased both. In my system the Cinemag has better overall frequency extention while the Hashimoto brings out the famous Koetsu midrange a bit better. Both have a very large soundstage and I recommend both highly.

..another tact is to get an excellent high output cartridge so there is no need for the step up, or cables to get it connected. If you listen to the Benz Ebony H, you might even like it better than the Koetsu, whose time has come and gone for me.