Hana Cartridges

xsmi
xsmi Posts: 1,802
in 2 Channel Audio
Hey fellas, I have a two turntable setup and I was thinking about stepping up my game on both tables. I just got an S-shaped arm for my Denon 59L with a removable head shell. I was thinking about doing the Hana MC Mono and SL stereo cartridges for that table. And I was thinking of going from the Sumiko Black on my RM-10 to an Umami Blue. What do you guys think? I’m not in a position to listen to these cartridges before I purchase.
2-channel Yaqin B2-T Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Denon DP-19L Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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Best Answer

  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 1,226
    Answer ✓
    I have a Hana ML, and I’ve heard both the Blue and the Red at shows.

    Initially I took the plunge because I found an open box deal from someone downsizing. It’s been a great cart so far. At first I wasn’t as keen on it, but after close to 80 hours it seemed to really settle in. I also added an SUT in the chain and that improved the sound with my specific phonostage. My guess is 60db is closer to the sweet spot on the gain, and my phono offers 58 to 64, which is why I brought in the SUT.

    Overall, I’m happy with it and I plan to keep it with me if/when I change turntables. I’d also strongly consider trading in for the Blue. Another advantage for the line is once you have a good phono match, the ML, Blue and Red all have the same output so you shouldn’t need to mess with much as you move up the line.

    I’ve also been curious about the Dynavector XX-2a, but I’ve never heard any Dynavectors and I’m really in no rush to change because the ML is treating me well.
    Analog: Hana ML > MoFi UltraDeck > Bob's Devices Sky 20-S > Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
    Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
    Norma IPA-140 > Rosso Fiorentino Volterra
    Hifiman EF600 > Hifiman Arya Stealth
    Discogs
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Answers

  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,660
    @jdjohn
    I think Jody has some experience with those cartridges and seems to have the largest base of experience with different carts in this group.
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,369
    Ha, I do have several cartridges, but actually none of those. The Hana carts have piqued my interest over the years, but I've never heard one. I know they were developed by Excel, and I do have some carts by Coral that were also done by Excel, and I like the Corals carts very much B)
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,369
    displayname wrote: »
    I also added an SUT in the chain and that improved the sound with my specific phonostage. My guess is 60db is closer to the sweet spot on the gain, and my phono offers 58 to 64, which is why I brought in the SUT.
    There is a thread over on Vinyl Engine where a guy from London has almost 50 pages of comments (mostly just him) where he is experimenting with a Hana ML and an SUT, although the SUT is integrated into his phono stage. https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=135060

    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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