VAS Re-Tip Cartridge Repair Koetsu Black Goldline

Now taking pride of place in my System II - Thorens TD-309 with Koetsu Black Goldline.

Review: Koestsu Black Goldline, VAS Re-Tip Service

As progenitor of modern high end MC cartridges, Koetsu needs no introduction. The Black, despite its not inconsiderable cost, has long been the "entry level" of the line. The Goldline, now marked by a gold plate on the underbelly, is a relatively recent iteration. See the Stereophile review for more info.

My Tortuous Koetsu Journey I acquired my Black Goldline in 2010 and was very happy with it (here). Diamonds are Forever? Not that long after (I think 2011), I played a record and the needle skidded all the way to the end groove. I tried again and the same thing happened. Nonplused, I examined it carefully and, my God, the diamond was gone! Although I have had it for a year or so, I wasn't in NYC often then and it likely had less than 200 hours. I was not about to re-tip it and was highly annoyed. The Vagaries of Repair Some time later, I spotted a re-tipped Black Goldline (a somewhat earlier version with gold lines on the bottom of the sides, not a plate on the belly) for a very good price and acquired it. I think it was the basic Soundsmith re-tip, which replaced the cantilever together with the diamond, as this is less hazardous (and much less costly) than replacing the diamond alone. So what I got was a new re-pairing - a basic aluminum cantilever with an elliptical stylus in a Black Goldline body (the owner was honest, so I knew this beforehand). It played flawlessly but the magic was gone! Mind you, the sound was not bad, but if it was almost indistinguishable from the Ortofon I was running at the time, then it is not no longer a Koetsu! No wonder it was sold and it was not even run-in. But it was worth it for the lesson learned, which was why I waited so long to get mine re-tipped. Enter VAS A few months ago I decided to get my first one re-tipped by Steven of VAS...

Impressions

• On my Thorens TD-309 Given how I loved its sound before, I hoped the Black will be a permanent fixture in my system. In my System II, as my Technics SL-1200ii is frequently used for tests and comparisons, I decided to install the Black on my Thorens TD-309. So out came the Denon DL-A100. It proved a good match, but not before some Initial Adjustments Run-In took around 20 hours, when the grain miraculously, and almost suddenly smoothed out. VTA Initially I did not adjust it, but after a while, unusual for lazy me, I spent some effort to re-level the turntable and lower the arm (also advised by Steve) and the sound got even better. Phonoamp was the Aurorasound Vida, which is fed into the Shindo Monbrisson.

• Playing Old Records Usually I play mostly my newly acquired LPs and then some CDs (from the library or not), but with the Koetsu I dug out many of my old records (I was simultaneously cleaning house) and listened and marveled. Persuasive Percussion (Command Classics) Older audiophiles know about this famous 1959 LP recorded by Terry Snyder and The All Stars. This LP is still popular with HK audiophiles. While researching, I was taken aback by this amazing analysis of the music (from Germany!) MCP has re-issued it with the follow-up Volume 2 in 1 CD. If you read the Amazon user reviews where someone his review "cried"! Also read this insightful review from audad. I have heard this record many times, but this time I was really struck by the shimmering colors of Misirlou. These are serious musicians with expressive power. When it comes to percussion, most audio reproduction only deliver the basics, largely bereft of color - not so the Koetsu. Espana With its colorful music and relatively short duration, this piece of music by Chabrier is made for audiophiles. If not for stablemate Argenta's version, which has more vibrantly colorful covers, is on HP's Super LP List and commands a hefty price (especially in its Decca UK version), the equally brilliant Ansermet version (London CS6438) would receive a lot more attention (as it does in Taiwan). Whether it is the deep bass drum thwack, snarling brass, the vibrant percussion or the col legno strings, the Black plays it to perfection. Sarah Vaughn Live in Japan This very inexpensive album catches Ms Divine at her peak, and the sound is excellent. The Black renders her voice (a wide range) and scatting with highly accurate timber, and the atmosphere is well caught too. Piano Alicia de Laroccha was born to play Mozart, but unfortunately not to audiophiles. With the Koetsu, the piano is live size and the sound is truly grand. I felt the bass resonating off the bowel of the piano, and her deft touch and masterly shading were all brought off in a highly natural manner. Bruckner x 3 Bruckner's 3rd Symphony is one of my favorites. My first LP was Cleveland/Szell and it remains one of my favorites. This being a Columbia LP, the sound can be a little lean on the wrong system. With the Koetsu, I was focused on the committed playing and Szell's balance and grasp was well nigh perefect, riveting from start to finish and I had goosebumps at the majestic end. It was so good I then played also the VPO/Bohm (London) and Dresden/Jochum (EMI). Both are great orchestras. What is highly gratifying is that the Koetsu effortlessly differentiated the different recording venues and methods: The Decca sound is typical of their VPO recordings, with a golden glow; the Dresden quite reverberant, as is well known of this cycle; the Columbia clean and a little upfront.

Conclusions

• Koetsu Black Goldline Older Koetsu's are sometimes regarded as overly lush, but the many times I have heard them they have always been musical. The newer Koetsu's, like the Black Goldline, are definitely quite neutral, but very musical at the same time. This cannot be said of many other brands (e.g., zyx, Clearaudio, Lyra). Also do not make the simplistic mistake of equating musicality with a warmer sound, which many do. Using loudspeakers as analogy, if most hi-end cartridges are like modern loudspeakers, Koetsu resembles more the BBC loudspeakers, and that is a compliment. The musicality stems from an innate ability to dig and to allow one to hear deep into the mix. Which was why I spent a lot of time describing the records that I heard. It really is very subtle, a breathtaking shading here, a deft touch there; the unusual coherence, the compelling listenability (one hears records after records). That is all what listening to music is all about. This cartridge joins the Air Tight PC-1 as the top dogs in my systems; incidentally, they both have boron cantilevers. As for my favorite Denon DL-103, it can come very close and be equally dramatic, but in terms of the really subtle shadings it is edged out by these, not bad at all for a budget cartridge.

• VAS Cartridge Repair While I don't have an original Black Goldline to compare, I know the Koetsu experience quite well and that feeling is definitely back! Unlike the other re-tip, VAS has done a sterling job! I am going to send the other one to Steve too. I urge you to talk to Steve before sending your cartridge for a re-tip (see website).