Newbie needs some cart advice for a SME V/Dyn P75

Thanks a lot Raul, I love your posts and your solid advice. I will look into this Sumiko Celebration and see if I can find one at a good price.

I use the 501 with the P-75 in "current mode".I was surprised at the performance,seeing that I have had in-house,cartridges and phono sections costing over 10K.I may even be able to help on pricing. Tom

Zanth - the SME arm is quite dry and analytical and often benefits from a warmer cartridge like the Koetsu.

The Koetsu Black is a classic - I've owned one for the last 20 years and I would recommend that you get it checked out and re-tipped if necessary and then live with it.

Some say the Koetsu is slightly bass light, however allied to a SME I would expect it to sound great.

Some refer to the Shelter 501 as a poor man's Koetsu so I wouldn't view that as an upgrade. The Koetsu gives warm side of neutral. You'll struggle to get tight snappy bass with a SME whatever cart you use - it's been described as "plummy"

I think the Dyna carts are a good fit with the SME arm - the 17D2 has stunning responsiveness and in the SME will sound quite tight in the bass.

Cutting to the chase, try the Koetsu Black re-tipped (if you don't like it it's worth far more re-tipped than in need of re-tipping), if that doesn't float your boat try the 17D2 (they're available really cheap off-shore).

I can give you a great contact in Switzerland who re-tips Koetsus at affordable rates - contact me off list if you want the contact.

Disclaimer - no connection other than as satisfied customer.

Dear Flyingred: +++++ " the SME arm is quite dry and analytical .." +++++

That depends on many factors: cartridge, cartridge load impedance, TT, VTA/SRA, phono preamp, etc, etc, .....

I respect your point of view but I think that those characteristics don't belong to the V " per se ".

About the Koetsu cartridges: for many years I try many models of this cartridges: Black, Onyx Gold, Rosewood, Rosewood Signature, Urushi and today the KRSP. All the Koetsu's are severe faulty at the frecuency extremes reproduction ( are really innacurate to the music ) it does not matters with which tonearm be matched, the RSP and the OP are a little better on that. I know that many people ( like you ) are in love with the Koetsu colorations but for me the Koetsu cartridges are a really " mediocre " cartridge performer except the RSP/OP models ( I never heard the Jade ones ).

Dear Zanth: stay away from that Black. Its sound is like its color/model.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Dear Zanth,

I own a Koetsu Urushi. The Koetsu midrange is colored as Raul says. The coloration bothers some people. For other people, the coloration results in a to-die-for midrange. You really need to listen to a Koetsu and decide for yourself.

If it were me, I would retip the Black, listen to it and sell it if the coloration bothered me. If it does not, then you may have a cartridge you will love for life. You will never know which camp you fall into until you listen.