Koetsu sound

if you've listened to the urushi, then you know something of the "koestsu sound." as you move up the ladder, the attributes of that sound increase. the onyx platinum is even more lush, yet more detailed, quiet and grainless than the urushi. i've noticed no differences among these very fine cartridges in tracking ability. bass response is wonderful on all models, tho even tighter than the rest on the onyx. IMHO, the koestu's, from the urushi upwards, are the most musical cartridges i've yet heard. they mate particularly well with graham arms and the upper range of basis tt's.

I agree with Cornfedboy on his assessment of the sound of the Koetsu line of cartridges. The only thing I would add is that when I auditioned the Onyx Platinum and the Rosewood Signature Platinum, there were some differences. The Onyx is slightly more resolved and has a faster sound (almost more forward), and the Rosewood ( wood body ) had a slightly warm and musical balance, without any obvious sense of loss of resolution. There is no way to make a bad choice between these two. If you are unable to listen to both in your system and decide for yourself, I hope our comments will be helpful. By the way, when my audition was performed, it was with the same equipment suggested above, a Basis Mk5 and Graham 2.0 tungsten.

i have owned the koetsu rosewood signature platinum II for 2 years. i use a graham 2.0 delux arm on a basis 2500 tt. i agree with the comments above and would add that in my setup speed and resolution are excellent.

about the time i purchased it myles astor in "ultimate audio" reviewed this cartridge and reported that he enjoyed the traditional strengths of the koetsu but felt that it was too slow for his tastes. my take on his comments was that his vpi tnt, jmw memorial arm, and cj 15 phono stage were not a proper balance for the koetsu.

so mate the koetsu with fast and neutral gear and the balance should be good.

mike lavigne

Excellent posts above, most of which I totally agree. To my ear the Rosewood Signature Platinum captures the quintessential Koetsu sound, something that will never disappoint when used in a neutral arm like the Graham. The Onyx sounds to me like Koetsu's tribute to the inevitable, all its considerable glory notwithstanding. Personally, my ear is leaning toward a more agile and neutral cartridge, say the Lyra Helikon, paired with a more romantic arm like the Wheaton Triplanar. But I think the Koetsu/Graham would be an equally appealing antithesis.