Cartridge upgrade????


Ok so finally I am at a good place with my Kuzma Stab S-12 using a wonderful Hana SL cartridge fed into Bent Audi Sut to Sutherland PHd3...into my amplifier. I think it really sounds good but got an itch to maybe upgrade to a higher end MC cartridge.

I was considering the Air-Tight PC 7 but not really sure if it is worth it to spend all the $$, or maybe an Ortofon Cadenza  or????

Anyone have experience moving up from the Hana SL, and if so may I ask to what? No need to do it in a hurry but thinking that maybe this would be a good path, and mostly I am listening to jazz...lots of horns and small trios.

 

thank you all in advance....

 

 

rwanda

The Air Tight PC7 is great value for the money.

It is a lot more refined, more natural sounding and more effortless sounding than the Hana SL. More importantly it should match your MC Bent Audio SUT very well.

I would expect a big gain.

Have no experience with the Hana but I would take a look at the Charisma Signature One. Incredibly balanced and musical performer that will surprise you.

The Hana ML has a different stylus than the Hana SL.
What would that do in your setup? Or are you looking for something else than what the stylus shape can yield?

All above are some good suggestions but I might be thinking about selling the Stabi S and moving up to the Stabi R. Keeping your Kuzma arm. (Although you didn't mention which arm I'm assuming it's a matching Kuzma). I've heard the Stabi S and it's a wonderful table BUT the Stabi R is in another league IMHO. Just my thoughts.

I have an ortofon cadenza blue, sounds very good but my lyra delos sounds much better and is the best i have ever heard.  

the Audio Technica ART9XI is close and a giant value, blows away anything lower than its price including hana ml, dynavector, etc.  

@rwanda , which arm are you using?  The PC 7 was discontinued. The My Sonic Eminent EX is a bit more expensive but worth it. The Lyra Delos is a little less but IMHO a better cartridge than the PC 7 or even better is the Kleos. The PC 7 was for a larger arm. These cartridges work best in a medium mass arm. The Kuzma 4 Point 9 would be perfect.

I am wed to Ortofon Cart's from the era of the Kontrapunkt's through to the later produced  Cadenza's, that are also born from Trickle Down Technologies.

The family sound of the Trickle Down Technologies works well for myself, and when listening to the Flagship Models that are containing the cutting edge design and materials that a Trickle Down Model might inherit a small proportion off.

The Flagship Models family sound can be very gathered and offer an increased impression of betterment of the Trickle Down models.

I do seem to be regularly in the Company of Ortofon users as well, there are certain models that are well liked in the UK for the transparency offered.

I do listen to other Cart's from Japanese designs, but am not hearing these in my system on my TT >Tonearm.

I have been very impressed by the Japanese Cart's even though, I will say there is a perception of a slightly more noticeable underpinning of the lower Bass Notes being present and a sense of richness to the overall presentation when listened to.  

Agree with the Delos.  Great cartridge.  I have zero experience with SUTs so I cannot opine on compatibility.

Be aware of longevity. I suggest that you consider $/hour before a retip.

Another thing to consider is how to keep your stylus from wearing out. My ultrasonic cleaning system was getting on for 3K, but since my cartridge costs twice that to rebuild, ultrasound has been cost-effective - in fact, it’s been essentially free.

I jumped from Hana ML to Ortofon Cadenza Black.  Very noticeable improvement in transparency and detail.  I like it much better than the Hana ML.  Almost 3X the money so should be better.  

 

Thank you all for your input.

I am using the Kuzma Ref 313 12" arm (non VTA) which I like a lot. |After some thought and speaking with another member of the community I will forgo the PC-7 and am looking at some other choices:

Ikeda 9TS

My Sonic Lab

Koetsu Blackline

 

I was interested in the Lyra Delos but mu local dealer thought it might sound lean in my system....anyone have experience with it and can share? thank you al

 

Be the first kid on the block

Audio Technica is releasing this in a couple of weeks. 

Most likely, it will be a winner since it's intended to fit between the ART9 and ART 1000. $2500 or so price point

https://www-audio--technica-co-jp.translate.goog/product/AT-ART20?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc

 

@rwanda 

 

I'm a neophyte with respect to vinyl / analog, but I've listened to 5 different cartridges in the past 6 months, on two different turntables, and I can say that it's definitely worth it to upgrade the cartridge, to the extent that you can benefit from it in your set up (how much resolution can your system reproduce?)  

I've personally really enjoyed the Linn Krystal, the Koetsu Rosewood, the Koetsu Urushi Black, and the Lyra Atlas.  In my limited experience, the Koetsu are very good tonally, but not the best with respect to detail; whereas the Linn and Lyra are very detail oriented. 

Does anyone have experience with the Ikeda 9TS?

Trying to figure out what style tip it has, looks like elliptical but not sure?

I am leaning towards this one but need some further information I think...

Ok today I finally got the Airtight PC-7 mount and set up with the help of a friend (Linn specialist). I upgraded my phono stage to Modwright 9.0 and while it was lovely with the Hana the Airtight is in another league......quite happy with this changeover.

Mostly I listen to jazz, and have everything from older first pressings to modern Tone Poet Series....and one thing for sure....surface noise is much less thatn with the Hana.

Thanks to all for your inout and enjoy all your listening.