Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Koetsu Onyx Platinum Phono Cartridge by John C. - Aussie Welcome Licorice Pizza (LP) lovers! Setup guides and Vinyl FAQ.

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Model:	Onyx Platinum
Category:	Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price:	$7,500
Description:	Top end moving coil cartridge
Manufacturer URL:	Koetsu
Model Picture:	View

Review by John C. - Aussie ( B ) on January 26, 2002 at 23:10:44 IP Address: 203.21.246.65

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You realize you have struck the musical G spot with your reproducing system when you settle down to do a spot of reading, put on an LP as background music, but find yourself rejecting the printed word because the music is so hauntingly captivating. That has happened to me time and time again over the last few months since installing the latest Koetsu.

It is generally recognized that the weakest links in the analog audio chain are the transducers at either end with some pretty dramatic interaction possible between the speakers and the room acoustics. As previously posted this house is designed around a pentagonal shaped room which, to these ears, need no special treatment . The speakers are custom made biamplified electrostats at the mid and top end with KEF B139’s in transmission lines at the bottom. Extremely neutral Plinius amplification is used throughout the stereo chain, linked by Siltech interconnects.

The room with speakers can be viewed at –

http://www.audioasylum.com/upload/johnc/john.html

And the whole 7.1 audio system schematic at –

http://www.audioasylum.com/upload/johnc/HardwareschematicJan2002.JPG

So how can the sound of the Koetsu be described? Quite simply it reveals more detail, greater dynamics, more top to bottom bandwidth than any other cartridge that has been in the system - a 30 year old Koetsu Oynx (which died through hardening of the arteries), an Accuphase AC2 (purchased by a fellow inmate) and the Dynavector te Kaitora (looking for another home). Given the correct arm geometry and good software the music via the Koestu is stunning, goose bump material. LPs which had previously been regarded as a bit mushy come to life with the latest Koetsu with previously unheard resolution and delicacy. Woodwinds, tympani, brass, the human voice, …. you name it, all combine in a ravishingly beautiful three dimensional soundstage.

Now I am an unabashed advocate of surround sound and up to now have not invested in the latest DVD-A or SACD hardware and software but expect to do so later this year. In the meantime I have experimented with various options using the Meridian 861 processor. Feeding the analog signal through this and attempting to use one of the DSP modes gives unacceptable results. However I have found that it is possible to enjoy the best of both worlds by steering the Koetsu stereo output through the Plinius M14 phono amp to the Plinius M16L preamp direct to the stereo speakers via the Bryston 10B crossover & the Plinius SA 250 IV/ Plinius SA 100 III amps, but take output from the M16L through the Meridian 861 to give additional surround sound. Done with subtlety on many records this is very effective.

So with this set up how does the Koetsu handle various LPs?

My wife is a keen fan of Neil Diamond and the record “His 12 Greatest Hits” is a standard one to run past her critical feminine ears. Result via the Koetsu – a big thumbs up. Guitar, bass, voice are all reproduced with impeccable clarity. Another LP I frequently use to check tracking and the human voice is the first act finale of the DGG/Kleiber/Cotrubas rendition of Verdi’s “La Traviata”. The power of the soprano in the “E strano, E strano” aria tests the capacity of any system and comes through with flying colours.

The sonic blockbuster of Berlioz “Symphonie Fantastique” on Quintessence PMC-7057 is followed by the Berlioz “Rakoczy March” which features a “canon drum”, the effectiveness of which can be easily lost if not correctly reproduced. Both these works have tremendous brass and bass energy which the Koetsu sailed through.

As for small ensemble Chamber & Jazz, you would swear they were in the room.

Finally a note on the classic EMI LP of Fleetwood Macs “Darkside of the Moon”. The various minor and major nuances come through startlingly via the Koestu with minute detail easily resolved as is the dramatic bass and voice line.

Bottom line, this is one hell of a cartridge. I cannot claim it to be the world’s best as there are many, many others which have not been heard in this system. Apologies if this sounds too euphoric but writing this has been an uplifting experience because I’ve been re-listening to all the above music and it has put me on a music induced high, and that is without the aid of any liquid or other forms of hallucinatory inducing substances. Nuff said. If you can afford a Koetsu, go get one and try it out for yourself!

John

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Product Weakness:	Price!
Product Strengths:	Superb rendition of detail and handling of dynamics

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Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Plinius SA250IV & SA100 III
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Plinius M14, M16
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	FR64X with B60 base & Orsonic headshell
Speakers:	Custon Electrostats & custom transmission lines with KEF B139's
Cables/Interconnects:	Siltech
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Various (see review)
Room Comments/Treatments:	None
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PP600
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

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