Koetsu Black moving coil cartridge

An entry level MC cartridge from the legendary Japanese brand created by Sugano in the 1970's. With superb build quality and premium materials used throughout, the Koetsu Black sounds like no other cartridge, such is it's life-like 'you are there' reproduction.

This cartridge gives the overall tonal balance and natural harmonics that the brand is known for throughout the world, at a more affordable price to it's relaives up the model line. The sound quality of all Koetsus is pure and sweet with a distinctive freedom from grain. Reality in sound reproduction is what this cartridge is all about, so music lovers will appreciate it to the full.


Special materials and components were not so easy to obtain in the 1970's so Sugano approached Universities and specialist engineering companies to make them for him. One of the first to use 4 nines copper (99.99% pure), curent production uses 6 nines copper (99.9999% pure). Platinum signature models feature silver cladding of the 6 nines copper, a process where a silver sheath is slowly drawn over the copper conductor.

Ultra-pure iron square plate formers were sourced for their most predictable magnetic characteristics and lowest oxidation. Pre-aged to the perfect consistency, rubber suspension parts are sourced under license with a rubber damper manufacturer. Special magnetic materials, including Alnico have been featured. Today, samarium-coblalt is used with platinum magnets reserved for the flagship models. Japanese craftsmen carve the rosewood bodies, lacquer coat the Urushi bodies, or cut stone for the onyx Platinum. Styli are specially designed and precision ground for Koetsu.

Today, Sugano's sons have revived his art and continue to create musical masterpieces under the watchful eye of the old master. For every music lover, your journey to musical nirvana is incomplete without a Koetsu phono cartridge in your system.

The tonal signature of all Koetsu's is pure smoothness. Sure there are cartridges that better the Koetsu in every area but there are none that are the complete package. If you really care about the sound of music, if your goal is to be immersed in tones that make up chords, and you don't want to put up with any more hifi artifacts, the choice is simple.....Koetsu