"HELP" tired Koetsu

I'd think a well-seasoned Koetsu Roswood would be well worth rebuilding.

However there are some caveats. If the last re-tipping you did was not by Koetsu, they may not accept the cartridge for rebuild. The only place that rebuilds Koetsu to sound like a Koetsu is Koetsu. If it was done somewhere else, you have some kind of hybrid, that is not really a true Koetsu any longer.

If this is the case, I would recommend getting a different cartridge like the Shelter. The arm/cart matchup will be almost exactly what it was with the Koetsu. The Shelter cartridges have a compliance rating of 9cu, and so does the Koetsu. Weight is also similar.

The Shelter 501 or 901 are awesome cartridges, and would not disappoint you. They are made by some of the old guys that used to build the Fidelity Research cartridges in the old days, that were considered to be competition for the older Koetsu. The Shelters have the classic Japanese MC cartridge sound and are continuing that tradition. There are not many others who are. Also, the Shelter cartridges are very affordable compared to the others, and the sound is competitive with the best.

Thanks Twl.Ya learn something new everyday! Still have a FR-7....anybody remember them? Unfortunely I [regretfully] sold the fr-64 tonearm years ago- as someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse! The FR cartridges [in their day] were the only moving coils that I would even consider close to the Koetsu.My Koetsu is original and was rebuilt by Koetsu in 97.I would bet the Shelters are great [now that I know their pedigree].Would like to set it up in the et-2.Anyone using the 501 in the et?

Ecclectique, you may want to check into the Magic Diamond Blue. I hear rumors that is is THE thing to own. No one here seems to have anything to say about it though. It is spendy! I have never seen one let alone listened to it though.