Koetsu Coralstone

rockitman

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Sep 20, 2011
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Anyone use one ? I currently use either a Shelter Harmony or Ortofon A90. I am trying to figure out if I want to get one for my stable. There is a lightly used one on Agon I'm looking at. Also, is there a platinum version or is the very fact it's a coralstone model, it's also a platinum model. Any sound comparo's to the carts I currently have would be helpful. TIA.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/koetsu-coralstone-top-line-mc-cartridge--2
 

flez007

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Aug 31, 2010
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Christian, I have just heard the Black and Rosewood (wooden bodies) and the Blue (Stoned body) - the wooden bodiess are very good cartridges with the typical Koetsu sound, very musical with slightly rolled-off extremes, the Blue is one of the best I have heard (open, dynamic, nuanced, great slam) and is in my wish list. I currently own a Blue Angel Mantis that is not there but has a Koetsu heart (for those who knows the story of Andre and Blue Angel).

Hope this helps.
 
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MylesBAstor

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Apr 20, 2010
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Anyone use one ? I currently use either a Shelter Harmony or Ortofon A90. I am trying to figure out if I want to get one for my stable. There is a lightly used one on Agon I'm looking at. Also, is there a platinum version or is the very fact it's a coralstone model, it's also a platinum model. Any sound comparo's to the carts I currently have would be helpful. TIA.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/koetsu-coralstone-top-line-mc-cartridge--2

You should speak to Albert Porter. The man has an immense collection of cartridges and last time we spoke the Coralstone was one of his fans. Also know he got his Atlas same time as me ;)
 

andromedaaudio

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Beautiful audiophile jewelry , the best show analogue demonstration i heard , had a coralstone in the arm

As far as i know all the stonebodies have platinum magnets, if i recall correctly there was also a coralstone version with diamond cantilever
 
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Mike Lavigne

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Apr 25, 2010
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Anyone use one ? I currently use either a Shelter Harmony or Ortofon A90. I am trying to figure out if I want to get one for my stable. There is a lightly used one on Agon I'm looking at. Also, is there a platinum version or is the very fact it's a coralstone model, it's also a platinum model. Any sound comparo's to the carts I currently have would be helpful. TIA.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/koetsu-coralstone-top-line-mc-cartridge--2

the Ortofon Anna should be released soon; and it is pretty amazing to my ears. it will take the good things about the A90 and improve them, and add more life and body.

no doubt the Lyra Atlas would be another consideration too.

if you can only add one 'expensive' cartridge these are two to consider.
 

rockitman

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Thnx Mike. Do you have any experience with Koetsu stone bodies in your system at one time ? Can you explain their sound relative to an A90 to give me a baseline ? At $6k, the lightly used coralstone sounds like a great deal.
 

Mike Lavigne

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Thnx Mike. Do you have any experience with Koetsu stone bodies in your system at one time ? Can you explain their sound relative to an A90 to give me a baseline ? At $6k, the lightly used coralstone sounds like a great deal.

i owned a Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum for 10 years (it was my reference back in 1998-2000), which is part of the Platinum magnet upper section of Koetsu's, but never a Stoned Body Koetsu. i've only heard a Coralstone briefly once and really am not the right person to answer your question. any sort of attempt by me at trying to give you a sense of the differences would be mostly a guess on my part and would not be very useful.

i do understand the desire to scratch the Koetsu Stone Body itch as i've had it myself before. sorry i can't be more help.
 

rockitman

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Thanks for your input Mike...

I decided to scratch my Koetsu itch and just purchased the Coralstone. I receive it on Friday. Will report my impressions once I get some listening time under my belt.
 

andi

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Apr 9, 2012
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Hi Christian,

I feel that this is a good decision.
It seems to be a reliable seller and the price was hot.

Have fun
Andreas
 

rockitman

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Sep 20, 2011
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Thanks Andi,

Well I have had the cart now for a few days.

Compared to my Ortofon A90 (Which is fantastic, neutral and accurate) the Coralstone has all of those traits and more. The A90 sounds a bit on the lean side. The Coralstone does not. Much richer midrange and a more extended and articulated bass. The top end is sweet and never overbearing. I have been testing it with Duke Ellington's Jazz party Classic Records 45 rpm. I find this album to be excellent in evaluating a cart's performance. The Coralstone is crystal clear and undistorted in the reproduction and can handle the dynamic horn crescendo's with aplomb. I'm in love...
 

Mike Lavigne

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Thanks Andi,

Well I have had the cart now for a few days.

Compared to my Ortofon A90 (Which is fantastic, neutral and accurate) the Coralstone has all of those traits and more. The A90 sounds a bit on the lean side. The Coralstone does not. Much richer midrange and a more extended and articulated bass. The top end is sweet and never overbearing. I have been testing it with Duke Ellington's Jazz party Classic Records 45 rpm. I find this album to be excellent in evaluating a cart's performance. The Coralstone is crystal clear and undistorted in the reproduction and can handle the dynamic horn crescendo's with aplomb. I'm in love...

Christian,

sounds like a wonderful cartridge. congrats. 'in love' is what it's all about. :)

i use 'Jazz Party In Stereo' Malletoba Spank as a test track all the time. it separates the men from the boys.
 
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mep

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Apr 20, 2010
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Christian,

sounds like a wonderful cartridge. congrats. 'in love' is what it's all about. :)

i use 'Jazz Party In Stereo' Malletoba Spank as a test track all the time. it separates the men from the boys.

Mike-I just ordered the 200G version of this LP from Acoustic Sounds. Could you start another thread about this LP and go into more detail about why you consider Mattetoba Spank to be a reference cut and what we should listen for? Some of us might appreciate it. I know I would.
 

Mike Lavigne

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Mike-I just ordered the 200G version of this LP from Acoustic Sounds. Could you start another thread about this LP and go into more detail about why you consider Mattetoba Spank to be a reference cut and what we should listen for? Some of us might appreciate it. I know I would.

MEP, ok sure. i can do that. the only issue is that my MM3's are now sitting in 6 crates in the garage waiting to be shipped to a new home, and i've got a loaner set of new Von Schweikert Unifield 3's that are breaking in in their place for a couple of months while my MM7's are being built. the flags are at half staff. :(

The Unifield 3's are a fine speaker for their price range, and will get better as they break in, but Malletoba Spank will not be the same. i suppose i can do this from memory. i did play it this past weekend 3 times (comparing phono stages).
 

mep

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Thanks Mike, I appreciate it. Your memories are very recent so I'm sure you can do it justice.

Mark
 

JackD201

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How long till the MM7s Mike? Yes the U3s are good speakers but it must feel like going from a Corvette to a Sonic.
 

Mike Lavigne

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How long till the MM7s Mike? Yes the U3s are good speakers but it must feel like going from a Corvette to a Sonic.

'if the creek don't rise'....late August....2...whole...months. ugggh!!

and tonight i spoke to jtinn who is helping set up MM7 pair numero uno in an un-named location and he was going nuts. double-ugggh!!

the second set of MM7's is going to a neighbor of yours there where you live. mine is number 3.
 

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