Hana Umami Red or Lyra Kleos?
I’ve found out about two or three cartridges in my price range of $3000 -$4000 that should work well within the limitations of my Luxman 505uX Mk II’s built in phono stage. The other cartridge is the Soundsmith "The Voice" MI cartridge. Next I’ve had to figure out which are also compatible with my VPI Classic 2’s JMW 10.5i tonearm (with or without the VPI two pivot mod).
I’ve been informed off my short list, the Hana Umani Red and the Lyra Kleos both appear to have the right specs to be appropriate candidates for use with the VPI JMW 10.5i, However the Soundsmith "The Voice" would have weight and/or compliance issues.
Have any of you advice as to which of either the Hana Umami Red or Lyra Kleos MC cartridges you might prefer? I’m pretty sure these are both excellent choices, but may have some differences you might be able to point out, I’m a bit disappointed the Soundsmith "The Voice" might not match up well with the VPI JMW 10.5i tonearm, but so it goes. Thanks for any advice and sharing your experience with either of these cartridges.
Mike
bears repeating VPI pivot upgrade + Delos or similar will outperform a $4k cartridge on your current arm. Especially given the integral phono stage you have, Additionly, if i had a jones to spend $4k in your system it would be: VPI pivot mod, Delos, HRS turntable base ( specific to your VPI TT mass ) just my two cents…. @tablejockey has sage wisdom imo
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@retipper might weigh in on The Voice / VPI arm compatibility issues, if any… He is the inventor after all and a fine man. ??? Jim |
I have heard both ( Lyra and Hana ) at some length but not on same table. Lyra on a Unipivot VPI , Hana on an AMG. A major toss up….. both frankly are excellent and both will reward..your…eventual…arm upgrade to pivot….. Lets put it this way, as a long term Lyra owner, if i couldn’t find a Lyra, the Umami would be on my short list of cartridges… Best Jim |
