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Possible Cartridge Suspension Collapse?

I dunno, it seems like my Hana SH is riding lower and lower as time goes on.

I got it new in 2018 and haven't spun all that many LPs on it - maybe have 350 hours?

Yesterday, I was spinning some LPs after not using it for about 2 months and at the start of every LP, there was a whoosing sound from the speakers - turns out the bottom of the cartridge was making contact with the very outside raised edge of LPs. Then as the record plays it would stop, but the cartridge body is darn near touching the LP surface - I mean practically an "RCH" distance.

On my Technics SL1200mk2, I run my VTF right at 2.0g (double verified with a Shure gauge and an electronic one).

Was thinking of moving up to the Hana ML, but now skittish of Hana's - may have to start thinking of getting a replacement regardless as my SH is just too low.
erikt

Showing 7 responses by chakster

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Don't send your Hana cartridge to re-tippers! It's the worst you can do, once they will touch it you will not be able to send it to the manufacturer.

Contact the manufacturer first and let them fix or upgrade you with genuine cartridge. This is relatively new inexpensive model, so why do you need all those re-tippers who normally work with old junk or overpriced carts for those who can't afford the manufacturer cost? 

  

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Send your cartridge back to the Japanese manufacturer via your distributor. It has nothing to do with retip! Upgrade to a higher model with them if they can’t change or tune your collapsed suspension, most likely they will offer you a special discount for higher model, so it’s upgrade program. 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
That is too bad for sure i have used cartridges from the seventies and their suspensions are still as good as new makes me wonder if something else caused the problem or they are not made to last.


Same here, carts from the 70's, 80's and 90's including cartridges made by the same manufacturer (Excel Sound Inc) who's now making Hana! 

3 MC cartridges from Excel Sound Inc (the manufacturer of Hana today) from the mid 80's are still fine! 

 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I would like to hear what Hana or the dealer does. Historically, because it is so easy to damage a cartridge, unless the cartridge is brand new they will laugh at you.

The stylus is not damaged, but suspension collapsed too early. They can accept this defective cartridge towards upgrade to the next model, in this case buyer will pay less than retail price. Every dealer should do that as they can earn money again. And the buyer will get new cartridge (next model). 

P.S. I did it with much more expensive ZYX cartridge via US distributor. 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I’m hoping Musical Surroundings, the Hana US Distributor, will take pity on me and either repair/replace the cartridge, or give me full (or better than 20%) trade-in for another cartridge.


Yeah, it's rip-off. Trade-in value must be at least 40%
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I was actually considering the ART9XI, but the resonance calcs for my setup put it at just *under* 7Hz.

Did you convert 100Hz to 10Hz before you made any calculations?

The compliance measured at 100Hz:
15 x 10-6 cm/dyne (100 Hz)

In reality at 10Hz it will be 25.5 cu which is fine for your Technics tonearm!
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Then you should know that AT (ART1000) was Technics official cartridge for a demo of their reference class tonearm and turntable on audio shows.
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