Bisguittin Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 Somewhere in the back of a drawer with sundry other odds and ends is a little sandlewood box containing a Koetsu Black cartridge dating from about 2000. It once was part of my Goldmund Studietto/Souther SLA3 front end. After a few years faithful service, it was dispatched to Garrott Bros for retipping and possibly a new boron cantilever (some years ago - dim memory). I do recall it sounded excellent upon its return, but sadly one day I woke to find the stylus had completely disappeared from the cantilever. I wasn't very happy. After an extensive inquest, the balance of probability lay somewhere in the domain of my kids. I suppose you live and learn. Youthful high spirits? I am interested in your views. Is this thing worthy of repair/ restoration?(I respect the argument that it's no longer technically a Koetsu, post Garrott). If so, what might be some of my available options? Clearly cost/benefit analysis comes heavily into this. Currently my Dynavector DV20X2L is singing splendidly, but as we know, that won't last forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKay Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 It may be worth contacting these guys. https://www.northwestanalogue.com/cartridge-repairs.html 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telecine Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 Any reason that you wouldn't get another Garrot Bros. re-tip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bisguittin Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 No. That's one alternative. I am wondering if there are others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Rutter Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 The "old" Garrott diamonds and cantilevers were superior to the original Koestu and Supex oems. So as not to cause contention, IMHO. That chap in the US I think his name is Joseph does good work and is easy to communicate with. I found the "new" Garrotts the opposite. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bisguittin Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 Thanks for your input folks. Definitely food for thought. At its best, I found that the Koetsu was a truly magical device with great presence. realism and separation. A case of once heard, never truly forgotten. I know it cost me a fair amount 20 years ago, so heaven knows what its cost would be now. I guess it ought to be in service rather than in a box. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bisguittin Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 Just as an addendum to this - Are Garrotts the only people here in Australia who have the ability to do this stuff? Holland, the US, Germany, Britain, Outer Mongolia etc do present significantly added logistical challenges - more so than ever in our current 2020 harem-scarem world. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Brix Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 Perhaps does @cafe latte do that type of rebuild work? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cafe latte Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 8 hours ago, Bisguittin said: Just as an addendum to this - Are Garrotts the only people here in Australia who have the ability to do this stuff? Holland, the US, Germany, Britain, Outer Mongolia etc do present significantly added logistical challenges - more so than ever in our current 2020 harem-scarem world. I have some tips ie just the diamonds coming supposed to be sent out on August 7th (estimate) so arrival is probably 2-3 weeks after that. I have 50 tips coming 25 for boron cantilevers and 25 for other, all will be microridge which IMO is the best cut there is. I have some boron cantilevers with MR stylus, but not sure if you need a cantilever transplant or just a tip? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lansche plasma guy Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 Why wouldn't you look into getting it rebuilt as a proper Koetsu? One of the most legendary and sought after cartridge brands? Its handled by Nirvana Sound out of Australia and you can bring it back to life. Worst case scenario if it is unaffordable or unable to be fixed by them then they can give you options on what to do with it? LPG 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bisguittin Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 23 minutes ago, Lansche plasma guy said: Why wouldn't you look into getting it rebuilt as a proper Koetsu? One of the most legendary and sought after cartridge brands? Its handled by Nirvana Sound out of Australia and you can bring it back to life. Worst case scenario if it is unaffordable or unable to be fixed by them then they can give you options on what to do with it? LPG Yep. Certainly looking at all the options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cafe latte Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 5 hours ago, Bisguittin said: Yep. Certainly looking at all the options. The original Koetsu is their own cut (unlikely actually but what blurb says). MR will be different and it is a better cut for sure, that said it wont be the same if that is what you want. Also the Koetsu have a bushing round the stylus tip. If I was going to take it on I would want pictures first is possible as I need to see that this arrangement is as it is a bit odd sounding. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vwo60 Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 (edited) 20 hours ago, PKay said: It may be worth contacting these guys. https://www.northwestanalogue.com/cartridge-repairs.html I am currently waiting for my Micro Benz Gullwing to return from them. Edited July 24, 2020 by vwo60 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKay Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 1 minute ago, vwo60 said: I ma currently waiting for my Micro Benz Gullwing to return from them. That's great please keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vwo60 Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 I have had the coils rewound by them, Garrots had no way of doing any of the work and I found the services they offered very limited, were as Doininic actually makes a complete cartridge in house and can do any repairs, My Benz had failed and went back to Benz and failed again, all out of warranty.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bisguittin Posted July 24, 2020 Author Share Posted July 24, 2020 Good to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyW Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 20 hours ago, Colin Rutter said: The "old" Garrott diamonds and cantilevers were superior to the original Koestu and Supex oems. So as not to cause contention, IMHO. That chap in the US I think his name is Joseph does good work and is easy to communicate with. I found the "new" Garrotts the opposite. That has been my experience also. Joseph's work gives better results than the current Garrott Bros for either similar or less money. I no longer use anyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cafe latte Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 3 hours ago, vwo60 said: I have had the coils rewound by them, Garrots had no way of doing any of the work and I found the services they offered very limited, were as Doininic actually makes a complete cartridge in house and can do any repairs, My Benz had failed and went back to Benz and failed again, all out of warranty.. I can rewind a coil. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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