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Koetsu Cartridge Question

Greetings All!
I have been considering the purchase of a Koetsu cartridge, either new or used. From the research I have been able to conduct, it seems that these carts like to be loaded at 100 Ohms. Warnings abound about phono stages and availiable gain due to the low mV output of these cartridges. (Platinum editions output 0.25mV) I am currently envolved with a Benz Micro Glider at 0.8 mV output. My Conrad Johnson EF-1 phono stage is only capable of the following load impedances: 200, 500, 1.9K, 9.6K, and 47K. Availiable 'gain' in the C-J unit are 40, 46 and 52 dB respective. My table is a Michell Gyro SE, equiped with an SME V arm. The EF-1 runs into a C-J Premier 17LS pre, then bi-amped into a C-J Primier 11 and C-J MF 2250 amps. Can I make a Koetsu cartridge work with this set up? I do not want to replace the EF-1 phono. Thanks for any/all advice!
Regards,
quincy
quincy OP
352 posts
 
Kurt,
Yes, I have noticed that 'used' Koetsu cartridges are for sale on Audiogon. I have and will buy again off Audiogon. I do not think I would ever purchase such a specialized device off of E-Bay. As far as the Benz is concerned....No I do not feel it is to 'bright'. I have just had the "Benz" for 18 months, and would like to try another type of cartridge. And yes, I have checked out all the reviews here prior to posting my question. No one has posted a negative responce about any Koetsu product. I always try the Audiogon search engine route first to save the 'repeat from last week' answer syndrome. Do you think a 0.6 mV Koetsu at 200 Ohms loading and 52dB Gain setting will work? If not, I wish to avoid an expensive mistake!
Regards,
bryanp
42 posts
 
The Koetsu works best in my system at 100 Ohms. Your question about gain; 52 db should be enought. How efficent are your speakers?
quincy OP
352 posts
 
Bryanp,
Speakers efficiency is 92 dB. Kef Reference Series, Model 3-2. Audioquest interconnects and speaker cables. Bi-Amping with tubes on high end, solid state on low end.
Regards,
bryanp
42 posts
 
You will have no problem, unless you listen to your music VERY loud.
Regards
Bryan
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Quincy, FWIW, I bought my Koetsu off Ebay from 2juki, and couldn't be happier. I've seen used ones selling for more. I also do not have a lot of faith in buying a used cartridge. Many folks are honest, however, there are also many that vastly underestimate the hours on a cartridge. The general rule of thumb is to at least double the claimed amount of hours, IMO. You also don't know how the cartridge was setup previously. Was it tracked properly? Was it run within it's proper tracking force guidelines? Buy a new one and you don't have to worry about how long or hard it was used. When you can get a new one at a used price from a reputable (although foreign) source, I chose this route and I'm very happy I did.

A 0.6 mV ouput should be adequate with 52 db of gain and speakers with a 92db sensitivity rating. I'm using a 0.6 mV cartridge with 56 db of gain in the phono through 90 db efficiency rated speakers, and I do not find myself wanting for more volume. I did try a cartridge with a .28mV output once (a special low output version of a Cardas Heart) and felt I didn't have enough gain. I could listen at moderate levels with the volume knob all the way up, but there was no extra umph if I wanted it.

Regards,
John
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