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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

skyscraper
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 

I'm using an Ortofon Winfield cartridge with my VPI .   I installed the 2nd pivot on the 10.5 which was an improvement....not a night and day, but certainly worthwhile.   I heard the bearing VPI which to me was not an improvement, but a lateral move.  They sounded much the same.

skyscraper OP
829 posts
 

Stringreen, in what ways did the dual pivot improve your system? I’ve read a few things about improvements using it and would like to hear yours. Appreciate your impression of the bearing VPI., I assume you’re speaking of one of their FB gimbal models, They do have a couple of relatively inexpensive ones in the $500 range too. Thanks,

Mike

 

portoalegre's avatar
portoalegre
21 posts
 

I have both, Hana Umami Red and Lyra Kleos, and both are fantastic! Lyra Kleos a little bit more open in the high frequencies, and Hana Umami Red a little bit more forgiven in not so good recordings

slaw's avatar
slaw
21,402 posts
 

I thought VPI's website offered cartridge recommendations..

skyscraper OP
829 posts
 

I've been on the VPI site numerous times slaw, not in  while though, but never came across that feature. It would be a good thing for them to have compatible cartridge recommendations listed. I did contact VPI just prior to purchasing my Lyra Kleos and they indicated they had used that cart for demo purposes at shows. I'll revisit their site to see if they list cartridge recommendations now. 

Mike

 

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