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.
 
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.
 
Garth said:
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.
Click to expand...

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/SOUNDSMITH-EZ-MOUNT-CARTRIDGE-SCREWS/productinfo/SSEZMOUNT/
 
Myles B. Astor said:
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.

SOUNDSMITH EZ-MOUNT CARTRIDGE SCREWS-Elusive Disc
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
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