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Hana ML teamed with Pro-Ject 1Xpression carbon classic and Rega Aria

i have been in the process of upgrading my main system. I think my next upgrade is the phono cartridge. 
 

I currently have a Ortofon 2M bronze and am looking to upgrade to a quality mid priced MC. My research seems to point to the necessity of pairing tonearm, cartridge and phono preamp. I picked the Hana ML based upon Steve Hoffman ‘The Big Moving Coil Cartridge Poll - $1000 to $1300’, then reading reviews of the top cartridges on that list. Looking for a neutral, quality sounding MC cartridge. My pro-ject model has the 8.6 cc Evolution tonearm. I know I will need a new counter weight. The phono cable is Mogami 2549, 1.5’ to phono preamp, so very low capacitance. 

My equipment:

Pro-ject 1Xpression carbon classic

Ortofon 2M bronze 

Rega Aria

Marantz 7015 AVR

LSA Warp 1 amp (driving fronts)

KEF R11s

KEF R2C

IsoAccoustics Aperta center stand

Klipsch KSW 12 (left over… next to go)

Mirage nanosat rears (also left over)

Mirage unit-theater (using 2 channel for Dolby rear height)

Bluesound Node

Schiit Modi multibit 2 DAC 

Qobuz 

Transparent + speaker cables

Mogami 2549 interconnects - with a few core power mixed in 

Thoughts on upgrading my system with the Hana ML? Any other recommendations?  Thank you  

 

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Showing 1 response by pinwa

pinwa
237 posts
 

I’m in the process of trying a variety of cartridges with my Technics SL-1200GR. I own the 2M Black which I think has a very distinctive, bold, detailed sound. I don’t think it is colored but it is a lot like adding a big dose of vibrance and clarity to the music to use some photographic terms. The 2M Black is the brightest cartridge I’ve tried but I didn’t find it harsh or irritating but sibilance was a bit exaggerated on some albums like Lorde’s Solar Power. I felt the 2M Black was more nuanced than the 2M Blue which seemed brash and too contrasty to me. I’m not sure what the difference to the Bronze would be. I like the 2M Black a lot and it is fairly differentiated from streaming which I think is a good thing.

The Technics VM540ML is a solid all around performer without a lot of distinctiveness to my ear. It actually compares pretty well to the Ania MC I have on my Rega P6.

The Grado Sonata 3 adds a kind of warmth that is well suited to a lot of music but I found the high end to be fairly rolled off. I’m still deciding if it is a keeper or not.

I don’t think I have the Denon DL-103 setup properly and I have ordered a heavier headshell to see if I can figure out why so many people love it.

I just got the Dynavector 10X5, not the MKII version. That is a cartridge that immediately sounded right with vocal music like Allison Russell. The 10X5 has a fabulous mid-range warmth and sense of space that is beguiling. Highs are a smidgen rolled off and it isn’t as detailed as the 2M Black but it definitely leaves a smile on your face with the right kind of music. I think I will end up preferring it to the Grado Sonata 3.

I have a AT-ART9XI coming this week. That will be the first truly high end cartridge I’ll have to try and I hope it will be the best.

I have yet to hear any of the Hana cartridges but the Hana ML definitely gets a lot of love. So no real help with your question but I thought you would enjoy hearing about my experience so far.

And in a very general way I’ve been surprised that to my ear the differences between the cartridges I have tried haven’t been bigger. I’m used to rolling tubes that often have big immediately obvious sonic differences.

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