Kiseki Purple Heart Sapphire

Jim Hannon -- Thu, 02/09/2006 - 10:47

Whatever happened to Kiseki? Did they design/make their own cartridges or did they get them from somebody else?

I ask this because the best cartridge I ever owned was a Kiseki PHS.
I kept it going via a retip by AJ Van den Hul but I'm told now that because the magnets have an imbalance (4 db difference between channels) I should pitch it into the Bay.

I'd sure like to track down a cart that rivals this sound that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. My new Koetsu Black (and old one too) doesn't.

Thanks!
Jim

greaterranges -- Thu, 02/23/2006 - 00:16

IIRC, Kiseki was the house brand for Dynavector's European distributor of the time. They were essentially Dynavector MC generator assemblies custom fitted in exotic body materials and built by Dynavector,JPN(ex Lapis, Aagat,Purpleheart,etc)
Like you, I also had a Purpleheart Sapphire and still regard it as one of the finest cartridges that I've ever owned.
At the time I wasn't aware of the Dynavector connection, however my tastes have apparently proven to be consistant, as I have since been drawn to the current Dynavector line.I'm presently using the limited edition ebony bodied Karat Nova and have also been very much impressed with the XX2, and the flagship DRT XV1s.

Jim Hannon -- Thu, 02/23/2006 - 11:05

Thanks, Ken!

While I knew Kiseki came out of Europe, I was unaware of the Dynavector connection.

Guess I'll have to check out some of the new Dyna carts.

Jim

Mariogert -- Sun, 04/24/2011 - 05:14

Guess what,
Kiseki has resurrected. Former brainchild of Herman to offer an alternative to Koetsu carts, the Kiseki met the audiophile with a nice range of models from the first alminium over wood and agate into the Lapis Lazulli and later the blue silver and -gold spot.
Now the Blue New Old Style (not new old stock) has been made in a ltd nr. of 100 pieces.

http://www.kiseki-eu.com/index.php?option=com_rokdownloads&view=folder&I...
contact Rhapsody in Holland for an evaluating session: http://www.rhapsody.nl/contact/
Have a listen tho this "new" little blue gem.

Mario Gert

paskinn -- Mon, 04/25/2011 - 14:17

The UK mag ''Hi Fi World' did a full exposition on the history and current status of these cartridges in a recent edition. I note the dynavector connection, if only because people in the trade tell me that Koetsu cartridges are also made, under Koetsu spec, by.....dynavector.I can't state this as a fact, but it seems rather more than another rumour...possibly explaining the joint marketing of Dynavector and Koetsu cartridges in Australasia. Strange thing, Koetsus don't sound like Dynavectors!