Koetsu

jadis · Nov 15, 2017

I thought of starting a new thread, and it's all about Koetsu products, its name, almost synonymous with mystique and magic; for many years prior to owning one, it was like an elusive dream. Then a Black fell into my lap and me, I fell for it, and even took the country dealership of it in the mid 2000s.

Here is a picture of the late grand old man who started Koetsu - Yoshiaki Sugano

And this is one of my favorite reads, of Stig Bjorg of Lyra - Remembering Yoshiaki Sugano

https://www.stereophile.com/news/11249/index.html

One of the earliest Urushi model:

An early 'Long Body' Onyx:

Old Urushi MKII Boxes, with the model name still indicated:

An early 'Long Body' Rosewood:

jadis · Nov 15, 2017

"Long Body' Rosewood (owned by a friend):

Old LB Rosewood with metal protector:

jadis · Nov 15, 2017

My first Koetsu - Black with the markings 'Musashino Audio'

rockitman · Nov 15, 2017

Thanks for the cool vintage Koetsu pics Phil.

gian60 · Nov 15, 2017

My Koetsu rosewood in 1985 on Zeta arm and Goldmund Studio

mulveling · Nov 15, 2017

Here's my Musashino Labs labeled Onyx Signature (short body), probably minted in the late 80's or early 90s? I acquired it 7 years ago from the original owner's son. The story is that he went to Japan and came back with a $5K phono cartridge; everyone in his family thought he was absolutely nuts!

This cart was all original, never re-tipped, and still made absolutely beautiful music on outer & middle grooves -- though much of the stylus shank was now permanently encrusted with dirt, and the tip was audibly worn (affecting playback of inner grooves). This is the cart that sold me on Koetsu, though I immediately acquired a new Platinum model because of the worn tip. I finally had this one rebuilt by Koetsu this summer, retaining the original alnico magnets rather that upgrading it to platinum, and have it spinning again! Very nice cartridge!!

I got the original Koetsu headshell with it too. And it has a particularly lovely Onyx grain on that one side!

rockitman · Nov 15, 2017

^^^ Very cool !

microstrip · Nov 15, 2017

gian60 said:
My Koetsu rosewood in 1985 on Zeta arm and Goldmund Studio

View attachment 37236
View attachment 37237

I had the same Koetsu and Zeta a few years later - but the turntable was a Pink Triangle Too.

jadis · Nov 15, 2017

rockitman said:
Thanks for the cool vintage Koetsu pics Phil.

My pleasure, Christian.

jadis · Nov 15, 2017

gian60 said:
My Koetsu rosewood in 1985 on Zeta arm and Goldmund Studio

View attachment 37236
View attachment 37237

Nice, Gian.

jadis · Nov 15, 2017

mulveling said:
Here's my Musashino Labs labeled Onyx Signature (short body), probably minted in the late 80's or early 90s? I acquired it 7 years ago from the original owner's son. The story is that he went to Japan and came back with a $5K phono cartridge; everyone in his family thought he was absolutely nuts!

This cart was all original, never re-tipped, and still made absolutely beautiful music on outer & middle grooves -- though much of the stylus shank was now permanently encrusted with dirt, and the tip was audibly worn (affecting playback of inner grooves). This is the cart that sold me on Koetsu, though I immediately acquired a new Platinum model because of the worn tip. I finally had this one rebuilt by Koetsu this summer, retaining the original alnico magnets rather that upgrading it to platinum, and have it spinning again! Very nice cartridge!!

I got the original Koetsu headshell with it too. And it has a particularly lovely Onyx grain on that one side!

Really pretty, Mulvering.

jadis · Nov 15, 2017

Present day Rosewood Signature Platinum:

jadis · Nov 15, 2017

They say love your own, I've been loving this Rosewood Signature (wood grain too) of mine since 2006. Has been tracking on 1.80g ever since and now going into the 2.0g realm.

jadis · Nov 15, 2017

Urushi Gold (Wajima):

jadis · Nov 15, 2017

Vintage Koetsu Box: Can't figure our the model inscription.

jadis · Nov 15, 2017

Jade: The stone body model that made me think I was in heaven, for an hour, that is.

TLi · Nov 15, 2017

I have a Tigereye diamond. It sounds some good that I don't want to listen to other cartridges.

jadis · Nov 15, 2017

TLi said:
View attachment 37245 View attachment 37246
I have a Tigereye diamond. It sounds some good that I don't want to listen to other cartridges.

Nice, TLi. I know what you mean.

rockitman · Nov 15, 2017

TLi said:
View attachment 37245 View attachment 37246
I have a Tigereye diamond. It sounds some good that I don't want to listen to other cartridges.

When my Tiger Eye boron wears out, it will be a diamond rebuild.

Steve Williams · Nov 15, 2017

Philip

you're always a wealth of information. Is that the Koetsu I heard at your house last year?

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