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Thread: Koetsu Azule Platinum Review
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February 14, 2015, 08:35 PM #1Senior Member
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Koetsu Azule Platinum Review
Myles B. Astor, Senior Editor, PF, www.positive-feedback.com
Zellaton Plural Evo speakers, Doshi Audio EVO phonostage, VPI Avenger direct-drive turntable/VPI 12-inch gimbal Fatboy/vdH Colibri Master Signature/Triangle Art Apollo cartridges, SAT LM-12 tonearms/Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, VPI 12-inch gimballed Carbon Fiber arm/vdh Black Crimson and Sumiko Songbird, Mutech Hayabusa cartridges
Technics RS1506 reel-to-reel with low inductance Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi Audio EVO tapestage, AudioQuest Dragon Zero, Audience FrontRow, Ensemble PC, Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna Realization speaker cable, Ikigai Kangai speaker cable, SRA Craz 3/OHIO 2.3 platforms and Symposium ISIS/Ultra rack/platforms, Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC.
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February 14, 2015, 08:39 PM #2Senior Member
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Re: Koetsu Azule Platinum Review
Nice review Myles
Source: Technics SP10mk3 - Thales Simplicity II, TW Raven AC-3 - Graham Phantom, SME 3012-R, Exclusive P3,,Linn LP12 - Naim ARO
Cartridges: Lyra Atlas Lambda SL, Lyra Etna SL, Lyra Delos, Dynavector XV-1s,Technics EPC100mk4, Ortofon A90, GM Royal, GM Classic, Denon ESC'd 103R, DL-S1, Audio Technica AT25, OC9II, Linn ESC'd Troika
Phono Stage: Phasemation EA-1200, Accuphase C-37,TW Acustik phono
EQ: DEQX HDP-4
Preamp: D'Agostino HD, conrad johnson GAT,
Amps: conrad johnson teflon premier 8a's, D'Agostino Momentum S250
Speakers: Wilson Maxx3
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February 14, 2015, 09:05 PM #3Member
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Re: Koetsu Azule Platinum Review
Spot on Myles! Excellent review.
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February 14, 2015, 09:44 PM #4Senior Member
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Re: Koetsu Azule Platinum Review
Myles and I heard this cartridge together at RMAF and when Myles played his copy of Lou Reed's Transformer LP (the cut "Walk on the Wild Side"), I was blown away at how good the system and cartridge sounded. I knew this cartridge was something special at first listen. The bass was simply outstanding and when the backup singers come in,you should be able to hear their voices rise and swell until they overwhelm you and your room. It's quite an experience when reproduced correctly.
Micro Seiki SX-8000 air bearing table, SME 312s arm, SME 3012R arn, Dynavector XV-1s cartridge, Lyra Etna SL cartridge, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 2 track R2R, Ampex 350 tape repros, Roon Nucleus Plus music server, HiFi Rose 150B DAC, ARC Ref 6, ARC Ref 75 with KT-150s, Parasound JC5 amp , JBL 4345 speakers, Viero Equilibro Level 3 speaker cables, and Definitive Technology Ref subs.
Reviewer for Positive Feedback
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February 14, 2015, 09:49 PM #5Senior Member
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Re: Koetsu Azule Platinum Review
Great review Myles! Totally agree with your observations. Lovin my Koetsu.
Carlo
Speakers: Sonus Faber Aida Analog: Clearaudio Master Innovation, Graham Phantom Elite (2), Koetsu Blue Lace Platinum and Coralstone Platinum, Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement, Zyx Universe II Premium Digital: Eera Tentation cdp Amp: Lamm M1.2 reference Pre-amp: Audio Research Ref 5se Phono Stage Audio Research Ref Phono 2se, Lamm LP2.1 Deluxe Cables: Kubala Sosna Elation Power: Shunyata Triton V2 and Typhon(2) Racks: Critical Mass Systems
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February 15, 2015, 08:22 AM #6Member
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Re: Koetsu Azule Platinum Review
Originally Posted by ctop
+1
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February 15, 2015, 08:51 AM #7Senior Member
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Re: Koetsu Azule Platinum Review
Great review, Myles, as always.
Allen
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February 15, 2015, 09:23 AM #8Senior Member
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Re: Koetsu Azule Platinum Review
Good review Myles could you not find some bigger screws to put that cartridge on with maybe some wing nuts. They have to weigh as much as the cartridge.
Lyra Atlas, tri-planner, clear audio statement, Burmester 100, Ayre KXR20, Ayre MXR20, Ayre DX5, Adept Response line conditioner, Ayre signature interconnects, Cardas clear power cables,cardas clear speaker cables and Martin Logan CLX with Decenti subs with Cardas hex link.
Not in use Infinity QLS and Ohm F
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February 15, 2015, 09:32 AM #9Behavior Moderator (be nice police!)
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Re: Koetsu Azule Platinum Review
Nice review Myles. That's a pricey little thing, isn't it ?
Mark
Kharma DB9 Signature
Pass Labs XP32......incoming
Pass Labs X350.8
Esoteric N-05XD
VPI Avenger with Magnetic Drive
Manley Chinook Phono Pre
Ortofon Cadenza Black cartridge
Kharma Elegance speaker cables
Kharma Elegance interconnects
REL Subs
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February 15, 2015, 10:17 AM #10Senior Member
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Re: Koetsu Azule Platinum Review
Garth- Originally Posted by Garth
Those are specially made EZ Mount head shell screws made by Peter Ledermann of Soundsmith Audio. Each pair of screws adds a different amount of weight to the head shell. Because of their construction, the SS screws make setting up a cartridge much easier. No Allen wrenh or screwdriver needed to mount. As you can see from the Elusive Disc info, the screws actually add very little mass.
http://www.elusivedisc.com/SOUNDSMIT...nfo/SSEZMOUNT/Myles B. Astor, Senior Editor, PF, www.positive-feedback.com
Zellaton Plural Evo speakers, Doshi Audio EVO phonostage, VPI Avenger direct-drive turntable/VPI 12-inch gimbal Fatboy/vdH Colibri Master Signature/Triangle Art Apollo cartridges, SAT LM-12 tonearms/Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, VPI 12-inch gimballed Carbon Fiber arm/vdh Black Crimson and Sumiko Songbird, Mutech Hayabusa cartridges
Technics RS1506 reel-to-reel with low inductance Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi Audio EVO tapestage, AudioQuest Dragon Zero, Audience FrontRow, Ensemble PC, Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna Realization speaker cable, Ikigai Kangai speaker cable, SRA Craz 3/OHIO 2.3 platforms and Symposium ISIS/Ultra rack/platforms, Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC.
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February 15, 2015, 10:26 AM #11Senior Member
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Re: Koetsu Azule Platinum Review
I am sure they work and are easy to get hold of but they still look like two shot glass sitting on a head shell. Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor
Lyra Atlas, tri-planner, clear audio statement, Burmester 100, Ayre KXR20, Ayre MXR20, Ayre DX5, Adept Response line conditioner, Ayre signature interconnects, Cardas clear power cables,cardas clear speaker cables and Martin Logan CLX with Decenti subs with Cardas hex link.
Not in use Infinity QLS and Ohm F
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February 15, 2015, 12:39 PM #12Senior Member
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Re: Koetsu Azule Platinum Review
Myles, thanks for another well-informed review. many of the positives you describe with the platinum series carts apply to the standard cart I just received, i wonder how far apart they are sonically.
distribution is another matter, koetsu has been like a hot potato...so what happened to Hiram? and if you bought your koetsu from Garth will Jaime honor rebuild/re-tip privileges to original owners? btw, the pricing on this side of the pacific is way out of whack with the street price in Tokyo.
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February 15, 2015, 02:04 PM #13Senior Member
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Re: Koetsu Azule Platinum Review
Rob, do you know where to get them in Tokyo? There's a chance we may go to Japan for vacation this summer.
Also, does anyone know how the Azule compares to say the Air Tight PC1 cart?
Allen
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