Kiseki "PurpleHeart N. S. (New Style)" moving coil cartridge, beautiful looking and sounding.

How do you have yours set? What's the manufacturer recommendation?
The cart looks a bit longish, maybe not as long as a Grado Model A; but, it appears like, at least, "butt down" with a PurpleHeart might not be the best idea.

 

9" arm, tracks at less than 3g and no anti-skating? Interesting.

 

Ahh... Does it sound best matching the anti-skate to the VTF or do you have to go over or under the VTF?

 

I used to put emphasis on the bass in my younger years, hence tone controls back then invited this kind of behavior. Bass on maximum, highs just around plus 1 or 2 - for years a standard setting.
It took a good while to leave the tone controls at ZERO and now my amp does not even offer tone controls. Found out that this brings a way more revealing and pleasant sound !

 

Re-tip it when time comes, these Kiseki carts are special.

 

My Purple Heart arrives today. Will be installed this afternoon. I'm excited.

 

Nice....Pics and your impressions would be most welcomed. Something like that could be my next cart......

 

The cheaper Kiseki Blue was also an excellent sounding and physically beautiful cartridge.

 

I have a Kiseki Purpleheart on my VPI table and really noticed that it needs an extra long break-in time to really open up. Still getting so much better, richer sound and more 3d imaging and detail, and I'm already passed the 100 hour mark. If you get a Kiseki and aren't too impressed, I wouldn't really evaluate it till the 100 - 150 hour mark of what it can really do.

 

Sorry for late reply
After 3 months I've had enough time for break in and to give my thoughts.
I previously had Clearaudio talisman gold v2. I was completely satisfied and never would have considered changing. The needle snagged my shirt cuff and I broke it.
So I ordered the Purple Heart.

 

How does it track and handle surface noise?

 

Which do you prefer and why?

 

The purpleheart is not the best at handling surface noise, though I wouldn't call it the worst either. I think Ortofon, Transfiguration, and Soundsmith are better from my experience in terms of handling surface noise. Though being not a highly analytical or detailed cart, and lender to a richer and more musical sonic character, when noise is introduced from the record, it is not as distracting or of an issue for me as I've experienced with the carts above. The biggest issue I've had with the Kiseki is the setup. Being the stylus is hidden in the middle of the huge body and as fine as a hair, it is really hard to get it dialed it. I think this would have the biggest impact on handling surface noise and also sonic performance. I am thinking of ordering a MINT LP protractor for this very reason. I also agree with the Bob Levi Positive Feedback review, finding optimal performance loading at 800 ohms rather than the Kiseki recommended 400 ohms.

 

How would that Kiseki stack up against, say, a Koetsu Black Goldline or Rosewood Signature?

Best cart I ever heard was a Black Goldline, so I'm quite curious.

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