Koetsu Urushi Vermillion Cartridge
Urushi Vermilion
The Japanese art of Urushi is a tradition dating back 10,000 years. This natural lacquer is sourced from the caustic sap of the indigenous Urushi trees. The Urushi is applied by the hands of select Japanese artisans. Once the lacquer cures it hardens around the natural rosewood body changing its resonant frequency.
All Koetsu Urushi models use silver cladded ultra-high purity copper coils. This process involves a silver sheath being slowly drawn over the copper. However, the Urushi Vermillion uses a unique combination of silver and copper wiring, with fewer turns than other Urushi models, resulting in lower mass and output. Sonically, the Vermillion is the fastest and most detailed sounding Urushi.
Many say the Urushi body Koetsus offer an even more exciting sonic signature compared to the standard Rosewood models.
"The music was so captivating and involving that time became irrelevant and the music was everything." 10Audio.com
Awards
Reviews
Stereophile, Michael Fremer, 2008
When the musicians dig into the viola da gamba and tenorbratsche, the warmth and sheer physicality produced by the Vermillion was almost overwhelming.
HifiCritic, Martin Colloms, 2011
This foot-tapper of a cartridge unquestionably times well, yet it also sounds very neutral and sophisticated in the right system, with a notably clean treble. Voices sounded special: palpable, expressive and highly articulate…
Dagogo, Gary Lea, 2009
Compared to many other cartridges the sense of that “you are there” feeling just latches on to your inner musician and has its way with you. The music takes on a three-dimensionality that I have not sensed with any other cartridge that I have spent extended time with. The Urushi midrange is absolute magic.
Tech Specs
Body
Natural Rosewood with Urushi Lacquer
Type
Moving Coil
Coil Wiring
Double Coil with Silver plated high purity copper
Magnet
Samarium Cobalt
Cantilever
Boron
Output Voltage
0.2 mV
Frequency Range
20Hz to 100kHz
Channel Separation
25db / 1kHz
Inner Impedance
2.5 Ohm
Channel Balance
0.5db / 1kHz
Recommended Impedance
30 Ohm
Weight
9.0g
Recommended Tracking Force
1.8 – 2.0g
Compliance
5 X 10-6cm / dyne at 100Hz
Recommended Load
80-1,000 ohms
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