New Koetsu step up transformer

[scot]

Hi everyone

I understand Koetsu recently came out with a new step up transformer. Has anyone heard it and if so what did you think? Which cartridge did you use? Thank you.

Best regards
Scot

 

[Addicted to hifi]

I haven’t heard it but I would say it will sound amazing.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

Anything koetsu makes is the finest quality.

 

[peelaaa]

Hi everyone

I understand Koetsu recently came out with a new step up transformer. Has anyone heard it and if so what did you think? Which cartridge did you use? Thank you.

Best regards
Scot

Hi,

I recently purchased this and use it with an urushi tsugaru. Its a very understated exterior design but sounds outstanding. I assume its all about the inner design.

regards

Ian

 

[scot]

Hi Ian

Thanks for you reply. Where you using a different SUT before you bought the Koetsu and if so which one? Whose phono stage are you using? Thank you and take care.

Best regards
Scot

 

[peelaaa]

Hi Ian

Thanks for you reply. Where you using a different SUT before you bought the Koetsu and if so which one? Whose phono stage are you using? Thank you and take care.

Best regards
Scot

Hi Scot, I wasn't. Was using an original Black that had been retipped. Phono stage is an exposure preamp VII.

 

[TLi]

I used three generations of Koetsu step up transformers. They have slightly different designs.

The best sound is obtained with the cartridge and SUT in the same era. Try to use a new SUT with old Koetsu cartridge usually does not give good result. The transformers were wired and tuned to suit the carts produced at the time.

The wooden box in the past can actually be removed and played naked. Without the wooden box, the sound is faster and more direct. I tried almost every possible ways to use them. The new metal chassis can also be removed as well.

 

[scot]

Hi TLi

Thanks for your reply and the wonderful pictures.

The reason I asked if anyone’s heard the new Koetsu sut is because it’s a completely new design by the son Fumihiko. It’s supposed to sound fantastic with the Koetsu cartridges.

In the most recent Stereophile magazine in the Gramophone Dreams section on page 31, Herb Reichert talks about several different sut’s he’s heard and the various core materials they use and how it affects the sound. It’s pretty interesting. One of the ones he listened to is the new Koetsu sut. He felt it sounded significantly better than the other one’s he’s heard, especially with his favorite cartridge, the Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum. He said that the combination of the RSP & the new sut were a match made in heaven.

He also listened to and really liked the new DS Audio DS003 optical cartridge.

Is there anyone else on this forum who’s had a chance to listen to that DS 003 cartridge yet, or any other optical cartridges in their own systems? If so, I would like to know what you thought. Thank you and take care.

Best regards
Scot

 

[microstrip]

I used three generations of Koetsu step up transformers. They have slightly different designs.

The best sound is obtained with the cartridge and SUT in the same era. Try to use a new SUT with old Koetsu cartridge usually does not give good result. The transformers were wired and tuned to suit the carts produced at the time.

The wooden box in the past can actually be removed and played naked. Without the wooden box, the sound is faster and more direct. I tried almost every possible ways to use them. The new metal chassis can also be removed as well. View attachment 83202 View attachment 83203 View attachment 83204

Do you have experience with any of the Kiseki SUTs?

 

[peelaaa]

I used three generations of Koetsu step up transformers. They have slightly different designs.

The best sound is obtained with the cartridge and SUT in the same era. Try to use a new SUT with old Koetsu cartridge usually does not give good result. The transformers were wired and tuned to suit the carts produced at the time.

The wooden box in the past can actually be removed and played naked. Without the wooden box, the sound is faster and more direct. I tried almost every possible ways to use them. The new metal chassis can also be removed as well. View attachment 83202 View attachment 83203 View attachment 83204

Great pics and information. I have the new sut using with the new urushi tsugaru. Loving the combination at the moment.

 

[TLi]

Hi TLi

Thanks for your reply and the wonderful pictures.

The reason I asked if anyone’s heard the new Koetsu sut is because it’s a completely new design by the son Fumihiko. It’s supposed to sound fantastic with the Koetsu cartridges.

In the most recent Stereophile magazine in the Gramophone Dreams section on page 31, Herb Reichert talks about several different sut’s he’s heard and the various core materials they use and how it affects the sound. It’s pretty interesting. One of the ones he listened to is the new Koetsu sut. He felt it sounded significantly better than the other one’s he’s heard, especially with his favorite cartridge, the Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum. He said that the combination of the RSP & the new sut were a match made in heaven.

He also listened to and really liked the new DS Audio DS003 optical cartridge.

Is there anyone else on this forum who’s had a chance to listen to that DS 003 cartridge yet, or any other optical cartridges in their own systems? If so, I would like to know what you thought. Thank you and take care.

Best regards

Vinyl playback is really complicated. Every component in the chain can have significant effect on the sound. Correct matching and tuning is everything.

The use of step up transformer in general boosts dynamics and spectral expansion from top to bottom. It is achieved at the expense of resolution. Some details are loss due to more connection points and energy transfer in the transformers. It is a give and take situation and depends personal preference. I used SUT for quite a long time but now I don't like it. If you have a good phonostage that matches with your cartridge, the sound will be more detailed without SUT.

As for optical cartridge, I think it is the future of vinyl cartridge. It has fundamental physical advantages over MC and MM cartridges, such as light weight of the stylus cantilever assembly and lack of magnetic resistance. It gives optical cartridge higher resolution and better dynamics, particularly in the bass.

My current main listening cartridge is DS Audio Grand Master. It is clearly better than all the other carts that I have. They are Etsuro Gold, Lyra Altas Lambda SL, Koetsu Tigereye Diamond and Otofon MC Century. Once you listened to Grand Master, you can forget about the others.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

I used three generations of Koetsu step up transformers. They have slightly different designs.

The best sound is obtained with the cartridge and SUT in the same era. Try to use a new SUT with old Koetsu cartridge usually does not give good result. The transformers were wired and tuned to suit the carts produced at the time.

The wooden box in the past can actually be removed and played naked. Without the wooden box, the sound is faster and more direct. I tried almost every possible ways to use them. The new metal chassis can also be removed as well. View attachment 83202

Vinyl playback is really complicated. Every component in the chain can have significant effect on the sound. Correct matching and tuning is everything.

The use of step up transformer in general boosts dynamics and spectral expansion from top to bottom. It is achieved at the expense of resolution. Some details are loss due to more connection points and energy transfer in the transformers. It is a give and take situation and depends personal preference. I used SUT for quite a long time but now I don't like it. If you have a good phonostage that matches with your cartridge, the sound will be more detailed without SUT.

As for optical cartridge, I think it is the future of vinyl cartridge. It has fundamental physical advantages over MC and MM cartridges, such as light weight of the stylus cantilever assembly and lack of magnetic resistance. It gives optical cartridge higher resolution and better dynamics, particularly in the bass.

My current main listening cartridge is DS Audio Grand Master. It is clearly better than all the other carts that I have. They are Etsuro Gold, Lyra Altas Lambda SL, Koetsu Tigereye Diamond and Otofon MC Century. Once you listened to Grand Master, you can forget about the others. View attachment 83245

Congrats on a beautiful turntable and stunning cartridge.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

Vinyl playback is really complicated. Every component in the chain can have significant effect on the sound. Correct matching and tuning is everything.

The use of step up transformer in general boosts dynamics and spectral expansion from top to bottom. It is achieved at the expense of resolution. Some details are loss due to more connection points and energy transfer in the transformers. It is a give and take situation and depends personal preference. I used SUT for quite a long time but now I don't like it. If you have a good phonostage that matches with your cartridge, the sound will be more detailed without SUT.

As for optical cartridge, I think it is the future of vinyl cartridge. It has fundamental physical advantages over MC and MM cartridges, such as light weight of the stylus cantilever assembly and lack of magnetic resistance. It gives optical cartridge higher resolution and better dynamics, particularly in the bass.

My current main listening cartridge is DS Audio Grand Master. It is clearly better than all the other carts that I have. They are Etsuro Gold, Lyra Altas Lambda SL, Koetsu Tigereye Diamond and Otofon MC Century. Once you listened to Grand Master, you can forget about the others. View attachment 83245

The ds audio grand master is better than koetsu tiger eye ? How much better?

 

[Nemal1]

At about 3 times the cost you would expect improvement, but still comes down to personal choice

 

[TLi]

The ds audio grand master is better than koetsu tiger eye ? How much better?

Koetsu Tigereye Diamond still has some property that I prefer, i.e. very sweet midrange. A part from that, Grand Master is way, way better than Koetsu.

Don't believe me, find an opportunity to listen to Grand Master, you will be more than convinced. At first, I didn't believe too, but .....

 

[Addicted to hifi]

Koetsu Tigereye Diamond still has some property that I prefer, i.e. very sweet midrange. A part from that, Grand Master is way, way better than Koetsu.

Don't believe me, find an opportunity to listen to Grand Master, you will be more than convinced. At first, I didn't believe too, but .....

I love the sound of koetsu but believe you that the grand master is way better.it must be one of the finest available.

 

[howiebrou]

Vinyl playback is really complicated. Every component in the chain can have significant effect on the sound. Correct matching and tuning is everything.

The use of step up transformer in general boosts dynamics and spectral expansion from top to bottom. It is achieved at the expense of resolution. Some details are loss due to more connection points and energy transfer in the transformers. It is a give and take situation and depends personal preference. I used SUT for quite a long time but now I don't like it. If you have a good phonostage that matches with your cartridge, the sound will be more detailed without SUT.

As for optical cartridge, I think it is the future of vinyl cartridge. It has fundamental physical advantages over MC and MM cartridges, such as light weight of the stylus cantilever assembly and lack of magnetic resistance. It gives optical cartridge higher resolution and better dynamics, particularly in the bass.

My current main listening cartridge is DS Audio Grand Master. It is clearly better than all the other carts that I have. They are Etsuro Gold, Lyra Altas Lambda SL, Koetsu Tigereye Diamond and Otofon MC Century. Once you listened to Grand Master, you can forget about the others. View attachment 83245

If you have lack of space storing all those nice cartridges, I can help uyou out for free!

 

[Addicted to hifi]

If you have lack of space storing all those nice cartridges, I can help uyou out for free!

I would like the tigereye koetsu.

 

[shakti]

Interesting news to me, like to try the new Koetsu Step up, as a brand new tsugaro is on the way

found the following technical spec:


Specifications

• Frequency Range: 20Hz – 50KHz
• Frequency Response: ±3dB
• Gain: 26dB
• Open Impedance: 10K ohm or more
• DC Resistance: Input: 4.5 ohms
• Output: 132 ohms
• Insultation Resistance: 100M ohms or more at DC250V
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 5.51” x 2.83” x 6.10”
• Weight: 2lbs

Currently I am using the Phasemation T-1000 step up with my Koetsu Black Goldline (latest production )
The Phasemation Carts do have very similar coils in the 4 to 5ohm region, so the Phasemation step ups are a good match to Koetsu as well (to my ears) , I tried different step ups before, like Ikeda, Etsuro, Kondo, but they all are the best with their own cartridge designs.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

At about 3 times the cost you would expect improvement, but still comes down to personal choice

Your right it does all comes down to personal taste and I love the sweetness of koetsu cartridges.