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First Moving Coil (MC) Cartridge Acquisition

I have been listening to MM carts my whole life. I am interested in dipping my toes into the MC stream to see what sonic improvements can be had. I am looking for recommendations in the $1K range. Currently, I am running an Ortofon 2M Black and Shure JICO MM. Turntable is a Merrill Super 12 Polytable, Jelco 750 tonearm, into a Herron VTPH-2A phono stage and Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum 2 integrated.

I would appreciate any recommendations. I am entertaining Hana MC carts or something with .5mV or higher as I don’t want to get a SUT. Please provide any feedback on the Hana that A’goners have employed.
arturos73
big_greg
6,567 posts
 
+1 on the Kiseki Blue NS.  It's the best cartridge I own.
jg2077
159 posts
 
I use a Hana ML and highly recommend it.  The Kiseki Blue is another VERY good option/recommendation.

Best,
Jose
menosavy
20 posts
 
https://trueaudiophile.com/eat-crushes-it-new-jo-no-5-mc-cart-has-reviewers-raving/
rinaldoberra's avatar
rinaldoberra
25 posts
 
I use the dynavector karat 17D3 diamond cantilever, with SME IV arm. At this price the best in forty years of listening. 
vegasears
1,173 posts
 
I have a fairly new Hana EL and to me it sounds very traditional, smooth and warm with detailed bass.   I use it with a Jelco 750 9" arm.  Of the three old TT's I have connected, it's getting 50% of the play time these day.  I also use an AT-33PTG/II on a SL-1800MKII it's performs at the same level as the Hana EL but is ever so slightly brighter, in a good way. The last TT is set up for MM cartridge's.  If I had your gear, BTW, great gear, I'd think hard about the Hana line.  The Ortofon Black is very close in presentation to the AT-33 but just a bit mellower.  My MM TT has an AT-150MLX cartridge on it and it's been my "Go To" for many years. 
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