Koetsu Urushi Vermillion

Koetsu Urushi Vermilion

The Koetsu Urushi Vermilion combines ancient Japanese lacquer craftsmanship with a fast and highly detailed approach to analogue reproduction. Urushi is a traditional Japanese art with a history that dates back around 10,000 years.

Koetsu sources this natural lacquer from the sap of indigenous Urushi trees. Select Japanese artisans then apply it by hand. As the lacquer cures, it hardens around the natural Rosewood body. This process also changes the body’s resonant frequency.

The Art of Urushi

The Vermilion’s striking finish reflects a long tradition of Japanese craftsmanship. Each cartridge begins with a natural Rosewood body. Artisans then apply the Urushi lacquer by hand.

As a result, the finish becomes an integral part of the cartridge. It adds visual depth while also changing the resonant properties of the Rosewood body.

A Unique Coil Design

All Koetsu Urushi models use ultra-high-purity copper coils with silver cladding. However, the Urushi Vermilion takes a different approach.

Koetsu combines silver and copper wiring and uses fewer turns than other Urushi models. This reduces the moving mass and output. More importantly, it gives the Vermilion a distinct sonic character.

Fast, Detailed and Expressive

The Urushi Vermilion stands apart from other Urushi models with its speed and detail. The lower coil mass helps the cartridge respond quickly to musical changes.

As a result, the Vermilion delivers a presentation that feels fast, precise, and highly detailed. Fine musical information emerges clearly, while the overall performance remains engaging and natural.

Many listeners consider Urushi-bodied Koetsu cartridges more exciting than standard Rosewood models. The Vermilion takes that character further with its unique coil design and quick response.

Captivating Musicality

The Vermilion does not simply focus on technical detail. It keeps the music at the centre of the listening experience.

10Audio.com described the Urushi experience as so “captivating and involving” that time became irrelevant and the music became everything.

With the Vermilion, this involvement comes together with speed and clarity. The result is a cartridge that can reveal subtle musical information while keeping the performance lively and engaging.

Japanese Craftsmanship Meets Advanced Analogue Design

The Koetsu Urushi Vermilion brings together natural Rosewood, hand-applied Urushi lacquer, and a unique silver-and-copper coil design.

Its lower coil mass and reduced number of turns set it apart from other Urushi models. For listeners who value speed, detail and musical involvement, the Vermilion offers a distinctive Koetsu experience.

Key Features

• Urushi lacquered Rosewood body: Select Japanese artisans apply natural Urushi lacquer by hand. As it cures, the lacquer hardens around the Rosewood and changes its resonant frequency.
• Silver and copper coil wiring: Unlike other Urushi models, the Vermilion combines silver and copper wiring in a unique coil design.
• Fewer coil turns: The reduced number of turns lowers the coil mass and output, helping the cartridge achieve its distinctive fast response.
• Fast and detailed presentation: The Vermilion offers the fastest and most detailed sonic character within the Urushi range.
• Traditional Japanese craftsmanship: Hand-applied Urushi connects the cartridge with a Japanese lacquer tradition that spans thousands of years.

Handcrafted Urushi, natural Rosewood, and a unique low-mass coil design. The Koetsu Urushi Vermilion delivers speed, detail and captivating musical involvement.