Matching the cartridge to the phono stage

The Hana SL is a great cart — especially for the cost - I use the mono version as my daily driver. I’ve used it in a few configurations. When the resistance is pinched, it tends to smooth out more than it already is. I think if you’re starting out, just understand you don’t need to get too hung up on the numbers. They are a guideline and most systems have too much gain anyway. Regarding loading, once you get about 3x the internal resistance away from the input, which you at with 100ohms, the changes are subtle, more about preference and less about right or wrong. In my option, when this cart is pinched, it will sound more like the reviews say it sounds. So if you like the reviews, I’d go for it. The ML is a different animal - need to go by the book with that one  

A quick google search - Analog Planet said this about the SL, which I’d agree with:

The measured response differences between 100 ohms and 400 ohms was not significant but what was consistent throughout was a slight recess in frequency response in the upper midrange over a wide expanse of frequencies. And that is clearly audible. It’s what gives the SL such a pleasingly relaxed yet detailed sonic signature.

Like I said - more of the same. 

Define "pinched".

As the owner of a Rega Planar 6 I offer a piece of advice that is slightly off topic.  The tonearm is not adjustable for vertical tracking angle (VTA) unless you use spacers (washers), which Rega makes and which must be installed beneath the tonearm. The tonearm is designed for Rega cartridges, for which no spacer is needed. The Rega Ania or Ania Pro MC cartridges are factory installed as options. Both have 0.35 mV output and 10 ohm output impedance. Rega recommends a 100 ohm impedance setting on the phono stage. The Luxman’s setting for 0.3 mV should work, but 55 dBA of gain is low for a 0.3 mV output cartridge. You will likely find it necessary to turn up the volume more or you can try the High setting for 0.1 mV cartridges. FYI, Rega’s most economical phono stage for MC cartridges offers gain settings of 63.5 and 69.5 dBA. A Rega dealer should be able to help you find a cartridge that will work well with the Luxman unit and can install it and any needed spacers. I believe the Hana will also will require at least one spacer. 

The Hana SL has been on my table for the past two years, running into a Parasound JC3 Jr. (which allows me to adjust MC load using a variable pot that runs from 50-550 ohms). I can say that the differences in load between 100-400 are subtle, but there is a more pronounced treble "edge" and a more brittle sound on certain vinyl when running below 300 ohms. This is likely due to a drop out of the upper mids below that 300 ohm load. As for gain, I can choose 50db or 60db of gain, and either 55 or 65db on your amp would work fine with the Hana. 

YMMV, of course, and the Luxman phono circuit may handle the SL just fine. One other option if you are really hesitant is to return the Hana SL for the SH. It's specs are a much better match for your integrated. 

The Hana SL has been on my table for the past two years, running into a Parasound JC3 Jr. (which allows me to adjust MC load using a variable pot that runs from 50-550 ohms). I can say that the differences in load between 100-400 are subtle, but there is a more pronounced treble "edge" and a more brittle sound on certain vinyl when running below 300 ohms. This is likely due to a drop out of the upper mids below that 300 ohm load.

@mrmojo 

The loading has nothing to do with the cartridge sounding different and everything to do with the phono section making less distortion. Also, a lower resistance might load the cartridge so much that the cantilever becomes so stiff it might have difficulty responding to higher frequencies.

The reason this is so has to do with the inductance of the cartridge. Its quite low! In fact its so low that if you pass a 10KHz squarewave through it (put the cartridge in series with the squarewave) you'll see on an oscilloscope that the output looks just like the input- no rolloff at all!

So the change in tonality is something else. There are two things to affect that. One is that the inductance is in parallel with the tonearm cable and its capacitance. That sets up an electrical resonance that is probably at 1 or 2MHz. That resonant peak is likely about 25dB (based on the Q of the inductance of the cartridge); when energized by the cartridge tracking an LP the resulting RFI can easily overload many phono sections, resulting in distortion which is perceived as brightness.

The loading resistor detunes the resonance. Brightness is gone.

But a 100 Ohm loading resistor is going to force the cartridge to do 2 orders of magnitude more work as opposed to the stock industry standard of 47KOhms. So the cantilever will be stiffer just as an alternator shaft gets harder to turn when its loaded. A cartridge is a kind of alternator. The decreased compliance can result in less high frequency energy and may affect how the cartridge tracks in the tonearm.

If the preamp is designed to deal with the RFI generated, you'll find that the loading resistor makes far less difference! When the phono section has a loading resistor switch, its a pretty good sign that the designer did not take the implication of an inductance in parallel with a capacitance (electronics 101, 1st week) into account.