Koetsu

[jadis]

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]

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



Old LB Rosewood with metal protector:

 

[jadis]

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

 

[rockitman]

Thanks for the cool vintage Koetsu pics Phil.

 

[gian60]

My Koetsu rosewood in 1985 on Zeta arm and Goldmund Studio

 

[mulveling]

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]

^^^ Very cool !

 

[microstrip]

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]

Thanks for the cool vintage Koetsu pics Phil.

My pleasure, Christian.

 

[jadis]

My Koetsu rosewood in 1985 on Zeta arm and Goldmund Studio

View attachment 37236
View attachment 37237

Nice, Gian.

 

[jadis]

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]

Present day Rosewood Signature Platinum:

 

[jadis]

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]

Urushi Gold (Wajima):

 

[jadis]

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

 

[jadis]

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

 

[TLi]

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

 

[jadis]

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]

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]

Philip

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