What's unique about the brand
Koetsu, founded by former sword maker and boxer Yoshiaki Sugano, handcrafts turntable cartridges that have earned a cult following for their unique musicality and timbral delicacy. The brand's cartridges use exotic materials like Boron cantilevers and Platinum-alloy magnets, with models like their Urushi line featuring traditional Japanese lacquer finishes and silver-plated copper wiring.
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Products
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Lineup comparison
We think it's helpful to understand how their products compare. To learn more about each, scroll to the section above to click through to individual product pages.
ROSEWOOD SIGNATURE
- Positioning: A high-performance yet entry-level analog playback cartridge featuring a natural rosewood body and basic copper wiring.
- Description: Uses high-purity materials with precisely matched copper coils and a Permendur magnet to offer clear, focused sound and a spacious stage. Compared to models with silver-plated wiring or stone bodies, it delivers essential analog performance that suits smaller rooms and tighter budgets without extra technical refinements.
URUSHI SKY BLUE
- Positioning: A mid-level analog playback cartridge with a uniquely lacquered rosewood body enhanced by traditional Japanese Urushi artistry.
- Description: Features a hand-applied Urushi lacquer finish that alters the body's resonant frequency and uses silver-cladded ultra-high purity copper coils for enhanced sonic depth. Compared to the basic Rosewood Signature, it offers improved material refinement and a more engaging sound.
ROSEWOOD SIGNATURE PLATINUM
- Positioning: A refined analog playback cartridge that upgrades the entry model with premium internal components and a high-end aged rosewood body.
- Description: Uses rare platinum magnets and silverplated 6N copper coils in a lacquered aged rosewood body, creating a lighter design that enhances signal clarity. Compared to both the standard Rosewood Signature and the stone body models, it strikes a balance between improved technical refinement and moderate investment.
ONYX PLATINUM
- Positioning: A high-end analog playback cartridge built around a precisely machined stone body for enhanced sonic performance.
- Description: Uses a carefully selected onyx stone body with silverplated copper coils and rare platinum magnets to deliver crisp, detailed sound with exceptional pitch certainty. Compared to the platinum and rosewood versions, it offers superior clarity and color.
BLUE LACE
- Positioning: A flagship analog playback cartridge featuring a hand-selected Blue Onyx stone body designed for ultimate performance.
- Description: Uses a finely crafted Blue Onyx stone body combined with tightly matched silverplated copper coils and rare platinum magnets to achieve an ethereal sound quality. Compared to all other models in the lineup, it offers the highest level of performance with the most refined materials.
Used
Koetsu
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