Hi Suteetat,

Thank you for your reply. Last night finally armboard arrived to install Ikeda 407 tonearm. I also experimented with Kai and Kansui with different headshells, also compared them to Graham/Orpheus combo. I copy paste my short experience with them as I wrote in another forum:

"Finally armboard arrived. I installed the tonearm though I am not familiar with those (just know Graham). Did not much experience on antiskating will experience today. Installed Kai and Kansui to different headshells and tried (not quite sure the most optimum alignment but fair for a quick try). Kai is really special with 407, Kansui is also very nice but different. Kai excels in soundstage, liquidity, a midrange liquidity and presence to hear, upper tones almost excellent even from 0 hours. Kansui having better PRAT, more emphasis on midbass, still very good tracking and detail on mids/highs though not at the same level of Kai. Kai seemed to be slightly on the warm side though Kansui seemed more neutral to lean side. Btw, Kai was not bass shy, bass texture and decay seemed to better compared to Kansui. Certainly, breaking in and better alignment should be factored in to make any critical judgement. For sure, both cartridges provide sheer musical pleasure. Compared to Orpheus/Graham, both cartridges with Ikeda had better liquidity, better midrange details and highs while Orpheus/Graham combo sounded best in bass details (might be a function of 9 inch vs 12 inch, tonearm differences as well as tonearm cables)."

I would like to also listen to Q7 regardless of its price, size etc before I make my decision to upgrade speakers. I know it may be dangerous! :-)

number_95 April 18, 2014 01:29

Great info Suteetat, thank you very much!

I do not have any Koetsu, only Miyajima Kansui as an alternative to Kai. I will first try Kai with Ikeda IT-407 tonearm (which should be similar to your FR-64) also will give it a try with Graham to see the differences thru different tonearms. Although my mind states both Ikedas together should have synergy as well as Ikeda tonearm would provide better sonic performance with lower compliance cartridges, but who knows. I will not make a critical listening since recently upgraded phono stage to ARC Ref phono 10, teflon caps need a long burning in, currently using a kabusa reverse riaa converter to burning in the unit.

Q7 is also my priority but very expensive! I presume compared to Q5, Q3 will sacrifice little while having a bit warmer balance.

number_95 April 16, 2014 02:26

Hi Suteetat, what a nice system!

I wonder if you can give some feedback for Kai cartridge? Do you use it with FR-64? I recently bought Kai not used for now, also recently bought Ikeda 407 tonearm, it should be perhaps similar to your FR-64. Other alternative is to use Kai with existing Graham tonearm, but my priority would be using both Ikeda together.

I also realized you have Magico Q3. I am also considering a move to Magico from my old and beloved B&W Nautilus 800 speakers. I consider Q5 with my current ARC Ref 610 amps but may also think Q3 if driving Q5 is really hard.

Any feedback welcome. Regards.

number_95 April 14, 2014 06:55