Koetsu

jadis

Well-Known Member
Apr 28, 2010
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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

1.urusugano.jpg

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:

1.uru.jpg

An early 'Long Body' Onyx:

broRestored Sam.JPG

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

urubox.jpg

An early 'Long Body' Rosewood:

rosewood long body.jpg
 

jadis

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Apr 28, 2010
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"Long Body' Rosewood (owned by a friend):

robert long 1.JPG robert long 2.JPG

Old LB Rosewood with metal protector:
 

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jadis

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Apr 28, 2010
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My first Koetsu - Black with the markings 'Musashino Audio'

k2.JPG k6.JPG 100_0226.jpg
 

mulveling

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Jul 6, 2017
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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!

 

microstrip

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jadis

Well-Known Member
Apr 28, 2010
12,352
5,470
2,810
Manila, Philippines

jadis

Well-Known Member
Apr 28, 2010
12,352
5,470
2,810
Manila, Philippines

jadis

Well-Known Member
Apr 28, 2010
12,352
5,470
2,810
Manila, Philippines
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

Well-Known Member
Apr 28, 2010
12,352
5,470
2,810
Manila, Philippines
Present day Rosewood Signature Platinum:

ar4.jpg 1.17.jpg
 

jadis

Well-Known Member
Apr 28, 2010
12,352
5,470
2,810
Manila, Philippines
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.

1.122.jpg
 

jadis

Well-Known Member
Apr 28, 2010
12,352
5,470
2,810
Manila, Philippines
Urushi Gold (Wajima):

uru.jpg uru1.jpg
 

jadis

Well-Known Member
Apr 28, 2010
12,352
5,470
2,810
Manila, Philippines
Vintage Koetsu Box: Can't figure our the model inscription.

uruubox.jpg
 

jadis

Well-Known Member
Apr 28, 2010
12,352
5,470
2,810
Manila, Philippines
Jade: The stone body model that made me think I was in heaven, for an hour, that is.

own.JPG
 

jadis

Well-Known Member
Apr 28, 2010
12,352
5,470
2,810
Manila, Philippines

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