Anyone heard an Etsuro urushi cartridge?

[Vrajbasi]

I was just looking at the AV audio show room website and came across a new review of Etsuro urushi having owned a few Japanese cartridges it interested me but know nothing about them, I have a Top wing which I love. Has anyone here heard one?

[YNWaN]

Erm, yes, I’ve heard it a couple of times. Unfortunately both times were at shows and in systems quite unfamiliar to me - so not a great deal of help - sorry.

[Vrajbasi]

Erm, yes, I’ve heard it a couple of times. Unfortunately both times were at shows and in systems quite unfamiliar to me - so not a great deal of help - sorry.

What was the set up?

[Mike Reed]

Strange name, because Urushi is a range of long established Koetsu models too.

[Barry]

Strange name, because Urushi is a range of long established Koetsu models too.

"Urushi" is the name of a lacquer: http://www.stutler.cc/pens/wajima/urushi.html

[montesquieu]

Google is your friend:

https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?43921-Etsuro-Urushi-MC-cartridge

http://etsurojapan.com/

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/0418/Etsuro_Urushi_Cobalt_Blue_MC_Phono_Cartridge_Revie w.htm

No-one seems to know what the compliance is though!

[Mike Reed]

"Urushi" is the name of a lacquer: http://www.stutler.cc/pens/wajima/urushi.html

Live and learn; I thought it was a lacquer solely used by Koetsu. They've really gone down in my estimation now !:lol:

[Vrajbasi]

Just heard one sounds superb so have to dip my hand in my pocket again :doh:

[YNWaN]

There are two versions, a blue and a red. The only difference I am aware of is the red has a sapphire mounting plate, and costs a few thousand more.

[hifi_dave]

At that price you need to be perfectly sure about manufacturer back-up, consistency and reliability.

[Vrajbasi]

There are two versions, a blue and a red. The only difference I am aware of is the red has a sapphire mounting plate, and costs a few thousand more.

Yes the Cobolt and the beaudaux I got to hear both I was rather shocked the red one is much richer and fuller but with great detail. They are made by excel the people who manufacture the hanna and many others who have a good reputation.

Buying cartridges at this price is always daunting and no way represent value for money but what to do they are part of the vinyl playback chain.

https://www.analogplanet.com/content/analogplanet-visits-hana-cartridge-manufacturer-excel-sound-corporation

[Mike Adams]

Ive heard this at a couple of shows where Guy S from Puresound was demo-ing....He was distributing these?

In the context of a fairly unfamiliar system I thought that it sounded great...

Ive read somewhere that there is a bit more to the difference than just the sapphire mounting plate so not surprised that the resulting differences are more than expected....

[Vrajbasi]

Ive heard this at a couple of shows where Guy S from Puresound was demo-ing....He was distributing these?

In the context of a fairly unfamiliar system I thought that it sounded great...

Ive read somewhere that there is a bit more to the difference than just the sapphire mounting plate so not surprised that the resulting differences are more than expected....

The two cartridges are quite different the Cobolt a bit faster and precise the Bordeaux is fuller and more solid with greater depth I decided this evening to go ahead and will get mine tomorrow as they are in stock supposed to be a good match for the V-12 arm so will git it a go in that first. Ridiculous amount of money for a cartridge really its also a worry as with any cartridge how much sample variation is there. I owned a lyra atlas did not like it at all I got a replacement the second one sounded very very different. I have had two Dynavector Cartridges sound very different too. Excel do have a excellent reputation so hopefully it will sound as good as what I heard.

http://www.avshowrooms.com/etsuro-urushi-bordeaux-phono-cartridge.html