Hana Cartridges

xsmi
xsmi Posts: 1,804
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: 1,228
    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: 3,370
    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: 3,370
    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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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,804
    jdjohn wrote: »
    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

    Thank! I'm on it!
    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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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 805
    A couple years ago, I was very interested in the Hana ML cartridge, too. At the time, I read a few reviews that mentioned suspension failure issues, so I decided to go with the Audio-Technica ART9XA cartridge instead. I'd suspect that this issue should have been resolved by now.
    Enjoying the journey while never attaining the destination.
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  • rceagan
    rceagan Posts: 15
    I have a Hana ML and a Dynavector DV-20X2H. I like the Hana maybe a little more. However, I have not yet maximized the potential of the Hana using a SUT with an appropriately loaded phono preamp. My plan is to complete a home brew phono preamp this coming year which will be customizable with respect to loading resistors. I will likely use a 1:10 SUT but have not decided on the load. For the group in this thread, for the Hana low output cart, what are the preferred step-up ratios and the preferred reflected load (at the cart)? I should mention that Tom Reitz prefers the Dynavector in my setup.
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,953
    Anyone know anything about the new Ortofon X series mc cartridges?
    https://ortofon.com/pages/mc-x-series?srsltid=AfmBOooxbZDTpV7NSZfW68ht2lT9MxzkJ7ZJ2rNHbgdEUP3gNpuWLPzc
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 1,228
    rceagan wrote: »
    I have a Hana ML and a Dynavector DV-20X2H. I like the Hana maybe a little more. However, I have not yet maximized the potential of the Hana using a SUT with an appropriately loaded phono preamp. My plan is to complete a home brew phono preamp this coming year which will be customizable with respect to loading resistors. I will likely use a 1:10 SUT but have not decided on the load. For the group in this thread, for the Hana low output cart, what are the preferred step-up ratios and the preferred reflected load (at the cart)? I should mention that Tom Reitz prefers the Dynavector in my setup.
    My SUT is a Bob’s Devices Sky 20-S. I has options for 1:10 and 1:20. When I demoed it with Bob he was using the 1:20 with the Blue. In my system I tried both settings, and mine remains on 1:20.
    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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  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 1,228
    marvda1 wrote: »
    Anyone know anything about the new Ortofon X series mc cartridges?
    https://ortofon.com/pages/mc-x-series?srsltid=AfmBOooxbZDTpV7NSZfW68ht2lT9MxzkJ7ZJ2rNHbgdEUP3gNpuWLPzc

    Like most Ortofon cartridges, there’s a ton of press and reviews, but I don’t know a single person that has one.

    I will say when I see people online posting their own systems with an Ortofon, it’s almost always a Quintet. Maybe sometimes a Cadenza.

    Having said that, the X40 looks well positioned against the Hana ML. Nearly the same price, but Shibata and a boron cantilever.
    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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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,804
    marvda1 wrote: »
    Anyone know anything about the new Ortofon X series mc cartridges?
    https://ortofon.com/pages/mc-x-series?srsltid=AfmBOooxbZDTpV7NSZfW68ht2lT9MxzkJ7ZJ2rNHbgdEUP3gNpuWLPzc

    You suck man!!!! 😂
    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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