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In the Forum: Analog Playback
In the Thread: The mystery of Koetsu Onyx Cartridges.
Post Subject: Ear-specific chocolatePosted by marknoir on: 9/27/2009
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 drdna wrote:
I think that the perception of the Onyx depends on the rest of one's stereo system and the other components one compares it to.

When I say the Koetsu is one of the top cartridges in the world, I would say this about most modern audiophile cartridges, too.  By the standards of today's available cartridges, it is not very good and is not worth the enonmous price tag unless you happen to like the particular combination of colorations it presents.  If you have nostalgia for the Koetsu sound and want a cartridge with some ability to resolve inner detail, this would be great.

You could ask also why do I drink Diet Coke?  There are many healthy low calorie drinks available, some even with vitamins; but Diet Coke is good enough, and it has a reminiscence of old-time Coca-Cola in the local soda fountain at the lunch counter at Woolworth's from my youth.  Koetsu is the same, I am afraid.  Their cartridges at one time were at the very top -- the very best (remember what else was available when the Rosewood first came out?), but these days there are so many new contenders that do as well or better, the Koetsu cannot compete at all at their price point.  Virtually every new cartridge to come out in the last ten years is just as good; they have fallen very far behind and everyone else has caught up and passed them. 

In my system, I am not overly concerned with trying to extract every last drop of inner detail.  If I were, I would choose the ZYX Universe low-output copper or the Decca London Reference.  I have heard these but I chose not to keep them because I feel that focusing on inner detail is a side track that can lead away from the Sound.

I think, Romy, in your system, there is very little for the Onyx to palliate.  Then I consider the other cartridges you are comparing to the Onyx.  I would guess you find the Koetsu very slightly warm in color and good but not striking in any way.  If you had the old Rosewood Pro IV, you would laugh maybe but have some fun -- like eating a ice cream sundae -- delicious but maybe not for every meal.

Regards,
Adrian



First pls let me thank you for great site.  This is my first post here.

I agree with Adrian. I also agree with The Cat that Koetsus today are absolutely overpriced and over-hyped, but...

My hearing is very peculiar. I'm extremely sensitive to upper mids and treble area, I have not suffer any high frequiency loss due to aging, even though I'm an old fart by now, so most cartridges that people find "neutral" or "resolving" are positively shrill to me. Case in point, the current darling ZYX ( I had a chance to listen to Airy 3 copper in my system for a long time ) made a couple of big holes in my ears with it's treble. My preamp is MFA Luminescence, also "a chocolaty"-sounding apparatus. I had no chance to listen to the latest Onyx Platinum for a simple fact, that I'm not only old, but poor as well, but old school Onyxes were always my kind of sound, and sounded great in my system. I used to also like Golgbug Mr. Brier, which had a similar rolled-off top. Today I don't know of any cartridge that would suit my particular taste. I like Sheleter 901, but I have to load my SUT rather heavily to listen to it. About sample variations in Koetsu Onyx line - I've had a lot over the years when I was rich, famous and georgious, and nearly all of them sounded different. From the dull described by The Cat, to a nearly brash and open sapphire cantilevered Spectral version in the early 80's. My latest experience was like this: I found one for rebuild. It was from what I could determine an Onyx Gold or an early Platinum. It had silver colored coiles, measured about 3 ohms on coils, suspension has hardened to point of no trackability, and stylus was worn. In addition, it had a channel imbalance. It had typical Onyx sound - dark and brooding, but very detailed, with no noney-dripping Koetsu Rosewood sap. I couldn't afford to send it to Koetsu, so it was sent to a reputable rebuilder. Coming back, cartridge sonded like your "resolving" and "neutral" modern variety, tracked great, and was absolutely unlistenable to me. Very-very open and bright. Apparently, channel imbalance was due to one coil being bad, and rebuilder has replaced coils. My technical knowledge does not run deep enough to say that this alone has turned Onyx into Blue Point Special soundwise, but now it is what it is. I'd gladly snatch Romy's Onyx Platinum, and I have a couple of tricks up my sleeve to open and liven it up, had I had the funds. My rebuilt Onyx will most likely be up for sale, as a hybrid now. In fact, it is brighter than my other cartridge - Madrigal Carnegie I, which is no slouch in that department either.

My system is as follows: Oracle Premiere Mk IV Gold, Adanalog MG-1 parallel tracker, Madrigal Carnegie I, Hagerman step-up (S&B TX103 copper), Hagerman Trumpet or MFA Luminescence phono, MFA Liminescence line, Classe DR-9 (pair), Infinity 4.5 (modified), bi-amped.

Rgds, Mark.

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