AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Turntables & Vinyl > Phono-Pre Amps & Cartridges

Phono-Pre Amps & Cartridges Welcome to the Dark Side!

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #11  
Old 01-18-2018, 05:03 PM
Puma Cat's Avatar
Puma Cat Puma Cat is online now
Cool, calm scientist

 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: East Bay, CA
Posts: 10,915
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerome W View Post
Thank you for the answers my friends ! Very interesting.
Shane : I heard many things about these carts but never imagined that a Koetsu could be inferior to a 103R. Are you sure that it was run in ?
Stephen : actually I was not very sure of my choice with the Rosewood Sig. I cancelled my order. I may finally go with the Urushi Vermillion.
Jerome, I can't recommend this cartridge highly enough. You can find some great reviews on it; I know there is a very good one by Michael Fremer at Stereophile and there is also a good one by Gary Lea on Dagogo, both from some years ago.

I personally use a Bob's Devices step-up; my SUT is a bit older model from 2011, he has since moved to new custom Cinemag transformers that provide even higher levels of performance. Bob also used to use the Urushi Vermilion as a reference standard, so if you place an order with him, he can tell you which version SUT would be best suited for the Vermilion.

Here is mine:




The Vermilion:





Personally, I am very, very, very happy with this setup and for me, I consider it "end-game" as far as analogue reproduction is concerned.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.
__________________
Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.

Last edited by Puma Cat; 01-18-2018 at 05:12 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-18-2018, 05:13 PM
Jerome W's Avatar
Jerome W Jerome W is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,240
Default

Thanks a lot Stephen !
__________________
There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats
Albert Schweitzer
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-18-2018, 05:14 PM
Puma Cat's Avatar
Puma Cat Puma Cat is online now
Cool, calm scientist

 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: East Bay, CA
Posts: 10,915
Default

De rien!
__________________
Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-18-2018, 05:15 PM
Puma Cat's Avatar
Puma Cat Puma Cat is online now
Cool, calm scientist

 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: East Bay, CA
Posts: 10,915
Default

BTW, Bob Sattin of Bob's Devices is presently using a Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum as one of his references, so he is will familiar with the qualities of Koetsus.
__________________
Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-18-2018, 05:23 PM
Jerome W's Avatar
Jerome W Jerome W is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,240
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Puma Cat View Post
BTW, Bob Sattin of Bob's Devices is presently using a Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum as one of his references, so he is will familiar with the qualities of Koetsus.


Did you hear the Rosewood Sig Platinum ?
If yes, how would you compare it to the Vermilion ?
Thanks a lot again for your terrific input.
__________________
There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats
Albert Schweitzer
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 01-18-2018, 05:27 PM
Puma Cat's Avatar
Puma Cat Puma Cat is online now
Cool, calm scientist

 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: East Bay, CA
Posts: 10,915
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerome W View Post
Did you hear the Rosewood Sig Platinum ?
If yes, how would you compare it to the Vermilion ?
Thanks a lot again for your terrific input.
Hi Jerome,
I've not heard the Koetsu RSP. I have heard some of the stone bodies; they were very, very good, but perhaps a bit too resolving and cool for my taste and therefore unforgiving of poor mastering/pressings than the Vermilion. As mentioned, once I got the Vermilion, I was "done".
__________________
Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 01-18-2018, 05:32 PM
Jerome W's Avatar
Jerome W Jerome W is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,240
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Puma Cat View Post
Hi Jerome,
I've not heard the Koetsu RSP. I have heard some of the stone bodies; they were very, very good, but perhaps a bit too resolving and cool for my taste and therefore unforgiving of poor mastering/pressings than the Vermilion. As mentioned, once I got the Vermilion, I was "done".


Cool. Ok I 'm going for the Vermilion. And will order a BOB's Devices SUT if I am not thrilled by the result with my phono stage.
__________________
There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats
Albert Schweitzer
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 01-18-2018, 05:48 PM
NZ421291 NZ421291 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 652
Default

Owned a Koetsu Black for 15 years- never missed a beat.

Loved the cartridge.

Yes, its on the warm, romantic side of the spectrum, but it sure played music.

Replaced the Black with a Lyra Argo i when the diamond 'fell out' of the Black. The Argo was very different, being far more detailed and precise, yet I still miss the Blacks presentation, especially on female voices.

I may get the Black re-tipped, its a great cartridge.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 01-18-2018, 05:52 PM
Puma Cat's Avatar
Puma Cat Puma Cat is online now
Cool, calm scientist

 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: East Bay, CA
Posts: 10,915
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by NZ421291 View Post
Owned a Koetsu Black for 15 years- never missed a beat.

Loved the cartridge.

Yes, its on the warm, romantic side of the spectrum, but it sure played music.

Replaced the Black with a Lyra Argo i when the diamond 'fell out' of the Black. The Argo was very different, being far more detailed and precise, yet I still miss the Blacks presentation, especially on female voices.

I may get the Black re-tipped, its a great cartridge.
You can send it back to Koetsu for a new stylus. It will cost you, but they will completely rebuild the cartridge, including the stylus assembly, etc. and you will effectively receive a brand-new cartridge back.
__________________
Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 01-18-2018, 05:54 PM
Puma Cat's Avatar
Puma Cat Puma Cat is online now
Cool, calm scientist

 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: East Bay, CA
Posts: 10,915
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerome W View Post
Cool. Ok I 'm going for the Vermilion. And will order a BOB's Devices SUT if I am not thrilled by the result with my phono stage.
The key for your phono stage will be able to match both impedance and gain for the Vermilion appropriately.
__________________
Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:35 AM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video