Koetsu makes some fine MC phono cartridges and are available once again!

Koetsu cartridges were founded in Japan by Yoshiaki Sugano, a multifaceted craftsman who was a boxer, sword maker, artist, and former Toyota executive. Inspired by his love of Western classical music, Sugano began experimenting with phono cartridge design after retiring from the auto industry in the late 1960s, aiming to improve musicality and sound quality. He named the company in honor of Honami Koetsu, a renowned Japanese artist and sword maker, reflecting both his heritage and dedication to craftsmanship.

Sugano pioneered the use of exceptionally pure materials-such as 6N copper, rare platinum iron magnets, and exotic woods and stones-combined with traditional Japanese techniques like Urushi lacquer finishes
. Koetsu cartridges quickly gained a reputation for their unique musicality, harmonic detail, and rich, transparent sound, becoming highly sought after by audiophiles worldwide.

The original Koetsu lineup from the late 1970s included models with stone, wood, and alloy bodies, each influencing the cartridge’s tonal qualities. Production remained limited and artisanal, with every cartridge handmade in Japan. After Sugano’s passing in 2002, his son Fumihiko continued the legacy until his own death in 2023. Recently, original Koetsu artisans have come out of retirement to revive the brand and its iconic designs for a new generation of listeners and are now available at TTVJAudio.com!