phono cartridges

Paul Basinski

Time marches slowly in the world of high-end audio. We rarely see new products that can be called “revolutionary”. While there are certainly new ideas, new materials, and new circuits developed by creative audio engineers, the vast majority of products are updates and refinements to previously released components. We have two of these under review here.

First, understand that these are two very good, but very different sounding cartridges. They are perhaps a peerless pair of the best performers in the crowded sub-$1,000 realm. Secondly, let me say that most people will not like both of these devices. In most ways that matter, the sound of the Grado Sonata and Benz-Micro Glider cartridges are so distinct that we're talking a tale of two cartridges here.

The name Koetsu has long been held in high regard by audiophiles. Almost mystical attributes have been associated with the name. The buzz surrounding the release of the original Red signaled a new paradigm was available to the audio world.