@paulgardner what settings on the phono stage are you using right now? Gain and loading.
I upgraded from EL to ML. I noticed improvements in noise, resolution, soundstage and imaging. The overall sound did not become brighter at all. Just more open and more detailed. I wouldn’t worry about brightness unless your system is already leaning that way. If that’s the case you probably need to look at room acoustics, tube rolling and cables.
Hesitant to upgrade my phono cartridge
I’ve been running the SL for about four years now and really love it. I’m starting to experience some sibilance and my gut tells me it’s time for a new cartridge. I really want to go up to the ML but I’m a little hesitant because my speakers (B&W 805 d3’s) can lean a bit bright with some recordings. I’ve read that the ML is a tad brighter than the SL and I definitely don’t want to add any additional leanness to my system. I could stretch for the Umami Red but would prefer not to at this point in time. So do I just go with another SL or roll the dice with the ML? Does anyone have experience with going from the Hana SL to the ML with Bowers and Wilkins diamond tweeters? Or with a system that leans on the bright side?
The rest of my system:
Clearaudio Ovation w/ Magnify tonearm
Herron Audio VTPH-2A Phono Preamp
Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II integrated - tubes rolled from stock JJs to Gold Lion 12AX7 and 12AU7s with a Brimer 12AU7 in the center position.
Speakers are B&W 805d3 stand mounts with a pair of REL S/510 subs.
Kimber Kable speaker, power cables and interconnects.
Thanks!
Showing 2 responses by audphile1
@paulgardner The SL calls for >400ohm, the ML calls for >100ohm. Based on that phono stage design and how you run it, there’s no way to predict how it would work with a particular cartridge unless you reach out to Herron with specs to get his thoughts on it and to determine whether or not it will need to be loaded. |