Oregon Posted September 13, 2023 Share Posted September 13, 2023 (edited) Well, my Kiseki finally failed, the suspension collapsed. I would like to replace it with something similarly detailed. First time I heard the Kiseki I thought of RTR. Also, the Kiseki doesn't exactly "sing". Currently looking at a Lyra Delos. Any suggestions fellow Steeners? Cheers. Edited September 13, 2023 by Oregon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratocaster Posted September 14, 2023 Share Posted September 14, 2023 @Oregon it’s a bummer that your cartridge is toast…Although the Delos is in a league of its own, Hana M series and up (Umami) are worth checking out. I have the MH and mostly listen to classic rock and roll. Amazingly quiet and detailed and very forgiving on older recordings.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oregon Posted September 14, 2023 Author Share Posted September 14, 2023 Yeah, I have a Hana ML that will go on tomorrow. Been running an Alpha Genesis 1000 for the last few days. The Monster is very much like the Kiseki, in that it is very detailed,, easy to listen-to, it doesn't wear you out.. Too damn bad they don't live long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted September 14, 2023 Share Posted September 14, 2023 So sorry for you. It stinks when something you love and isn't inexpensive craps the bed. I just lost my recumbent elliptical as the frame cracked (just a few months out of warranty) and I'm very upset (I ride over 10 hours a week). It sure seems like many on the board are using the Lyra. What does your dealer sell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oregon Posted September 14, 2023 Author Share Posted September 14, 2023 My dealer is Upscale Audio in California. I've been buying from Kevin for years with no complaints. They are waiting for more Delos'. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted September 14, 2023 Share Posted September 14, 2023 Wow, I didn't know this could happen to a cartridge. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oregon Posted September 14, 2023 Author Share Posted September 14, 2023 Yeah, me neither. Suspension failures appear to be part of Kiseki NS ownership. Dang. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oregon Posted September 14, 2023 Author Share Posted September 14, 2023 The Alpha Genesis is filling in pretty well though it is terribly susceptible to foot falls. Hana ML goes in next. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Edwards Posted September 15, 2023 Share Posted September 15, 2023 (edited) Oregon, I’m running a Hana MH with my ARC SP17; very happy with it. Edited September 15, 2023 by Steve Edwards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oregon Posted September 20, 2023 Author Share Posted September 20, 2023 Currently, a Hana ML is sounding quite fine, I really like the sense of "body" it brings to the show. Have inbound a Lyra Delos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oregon Posted September 20, 2023 Author Share Posted September 20, 2023 Currently, a Hana ML is sounding quite fine, I really like the sense of "body" it brings to the show. Have inbound a Lyra Delos. Reviewing the Kiseki collapse over these two years plus of ownership, it's now fairly obvious the thing gradually lost it's sense of RTR, which, was what initially impressed. When the Kiseki no longer impacted as well as a CD it was time to investigate. The Upscale Audio credit of 20% for the now NFG Kiseki is better than a poke than an eye. I still would have appreciated a few more years than but two for a high-end cartridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted September 21, 2023 Share Posted September 21, 2023 RTR? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oregon Posted September 21, 2023 Author Share Posted September 21, 2023 (edited) 9 hours ago, GdnrBob said: RTR? Reel-to-reel. When the Kiseki first landed on the record I thought reel to reel, that cart brand new reminded me of reel to reel.. I liked it much. I had no idea a cartridge suspension could/would collapse, but it did. At the time, within months of folks taking delivery of their Kisekis, reports began surfacing around the Webs after the PurpleHearts began to fail. Mine was hanging in there until about three months past, it just gave in to gravity... Edited September 21, 2023 by Oregon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted September 22, 2023 Share Posted September 22, 2023 Thanks for the explanation. I thought it was Reel to Reel, but nowadays, it helps to confirm... Given how many of the cartridges suffered from this fate, I would expect Kiseki to own up to the issue and, at least offer affected customers a discounted upgrade cartridge. As a small business owner, I would be aghast if this happened to anything I sold, and try to make amends as best I could. Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oregon Posted September 22, 2023 Author Share Posted September 22, 2023 Hi Bob, Yep, I would agree. It would have been nice to receive more than a 20% discount toward another cart, but, we don't. Also, Upscale Audio is now the exclusive Kiseki USA distributor. Cody 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted September 24, 2023 Share Posted September 24, 2023 Is Upscale Audio the one owned by Kevin Deal? B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oregon Posted September 24, 2023 Author Share Posted September 24, 2023 Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted September 24, 2023 Share Posted September 24, 2023 I have read a lot of things, both positive and negative, about him. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted September 24, 2023 Share Posted September 24, 2023 A quick Google, and now I remember him being something of a tube guru. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oregon Posted September 25, 2023 Author Share Posted September 25, 2023 He is quite knowledgeable, is currently selling much of his vintage NOS tube collection through his website. As I like the sound of vacuum tubes, anymore, I get all selected and matched tubes through Kev. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oregon Posted September 25, 2023 Author Share Posted September 25, 2023 2 hours ago, GdnrBob said: I have read a lot of things, both positive and negative, about him. B Gonna' get that about anyone, go online get talked about... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted September 25, 2023 Share Posted September 25, 2023 13 hours ago, Oregon said: Gonna' get that about anyone, go online get talked about... But, they seem to be geared to the extremes. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmz Posted September 25, 2023 Share Posted September 25, 2023 1 hour ago, GdnrBob said: But, they seem to be geared to the extremes. B Many with the strong opinions and ego attract that. Toole does not get a lot of polarisation, nor his sidekick, who’s name escapes me… They are easy to listen to. When they are on the side of Dunning Kruger where they are not sure, it makes it easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oregon Posted September 27, 2023 Author Share Posted September 27, 2023 The Hana has been in the system for a week now. It was purchased to serve as a back-up should the main cart fail. Didn't expect the Kiseki to fail, but, it did. Comparing the two carts, I do miss the sense of convincing timbre and detail from the Kiseki. Will roll in the Alpha Genesis again as it has a similar sense of "real" as the Kiseki. The Delos should be interesting. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmz Posted September 27, 2023 Share Posted September 27, 2023 Every time I see that picture, I hear Carlos Santana singing. (Like the aural equivalent of Pavlov’s dog.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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