Hell of a deal! This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Just saw a Hana sl pop for under $500. Don’t remember if you’ve had exp with the Hana or not. What are your thoughts on it?
Phono Cartridges - Your favorites and least favorites?
- Thread starter imajindat
- Start date
I like the Hanas and am partial to Shibata stylus profiles.
SnowmaNick
Well-Known Member
Own one. Very good cart, just take care with set up (as always). But was $500 for a new or very low hour one, they’re only $750 new?
HayesWeighsIn
Well-Known Member
Continually more impressed with the Grado Platinum3 as it breaks in. Really seems to be hitting the sweet spot now. Just a fantastic performer on a VPI. Well worth the extra hundred over the Opus, IMO.
Just chiming in- the Le Son LS-10 Mk II continues to impress. I’ve go no wish to try anything else. Except….
Le Son is coming out with a high output MC optimized for the Technics 1200. Boron nitrite cantilever and a line contact stylus. $400 delivered.
They’ll ship one for evaluation if there’s interest.
Le Son is coming out with a high output MC optimized for the Technics 1200. Boron nitrite cantilever and a line contact stylus. $400 delivered.
They’ll ship one for evaluation if there’s interest.
SnowmaNick
Well-Known Member
I was wondering if someone could help with suggested loading on a Grado Timbre Reference 3 low output. Pass XP-17 phono stage. The Pass gives me both 10k and 47k Ohm and gain of 56/66/76 dB.
I think 10,000 Ohms and 56 dB is a good starting place, but I wanted to see what others with more experience with Grado were using?
I don’t have the cart yet, Upscale is mounting it on my VPI arm, so it should hopefully be here this weekend. I’m excited and figured I’d set up the Pass while I’m waiting.
Thanks!
I think 10,000 Ohms and 56 dB is a good starting place, but I wanted to see what others with more experience with Grado were using?
I don’t have the cart yet, Upscale is mounting it on my VPI arm, so it should hopefully be here this weekend. I’m excited and figured I’d set up the Pass while I’m waiting.
Thanks!
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I’d have probably tried 10k loading if that were an option for me. 56 dB gain is what you want.
SnowmaNick
Well-Known Member
Thank you. It’s always nice to get confirmation from an expert. Your comments on Grado’s were part of why I bought one. I’ve always been interested in their carts as I love their headphones but haven’t pulled the trigger until now.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Are the cartridge and stylus from the same series?
For example is are the both 95 but maybe a change from E to ML or SH?
If that’s the case the generator bit that remains is functionally identical and the difference would be caused by the stylus profile and so I’d use the tracking force quoted with the stylus if they are different.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
I honestly don’t know. I’m not aware of that DJ cart being either compatible or not with the 95 styli. It might be something worth exploring maybe somewhere more DJ focused where they come across that cart a bit more! Sorry!
Vinyl&Kicks86
Well-Known Member
upon further quick research via amazon details under each cart was able to gather this info.The electromagnetic engine-body of XP-Series, is fully compatible with all replacement styli of VM95 Series and will deliver more output voltage than VM95 Series cartridge.The AT-XP5 has a tracking force of 2 to 4 grams.Note that typical tracking force when using XP Series styli is three grams as opposed to two grams for VM95 Series styli.so it seems going to be good to set AT-VMN95ML stylus on a AT-XP5 cart at the 2.0 g standard.
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Bob from Florida
Member
I recently did a Hana SL comparison to a AT VM95SH and they are very very close to the same frequency response with similar imaging. Says a lot as to how good an inexpensive AT cartridge can be.
Ghost
Original Resident Ghost
A man of fine taste! Did the Opus not sit right with the system for you?
Not at all. I just couldn’t pass up the deal I got on the Hana so decided to see how good it was. The Opus is great. So far, I like the Hana but need to put a few more hours in her before I come to a final conclusion. Worst case, I should be able to easily get back what I have in her but I don’t think I’ll need to.
Angsty
Well-Known Member
I’ve got a Nagaoka MP-300 that’s getting a little long in the tooth - time for a stylus swap soon. So do I go back to the elliptical MP-300 stylus or upgrade to the MP-500 line contact stylus? Anyone heard both?
I’ve liked the Hana SL, Hana ML and the 2M Bronze in the past, so I’m leaning toward the MP-500, but the MP-300 has been highly satisfying, too.
I’ve liked the Hana SL, Hana ML and the 2M Bronze in the past, so I’m leaning toward the MP-500, but the MP-300 has been highly satisfying, too.
Bob from Florida
Member
How much to replace the stylus?
Angsty
Well-Known Member
About $225 for MP-500 and $200 for MP-300. Could be less from CDJapan. Relative price won’t be driving this decision, but I don’t want to buy both.
Bob from Florida
Member
I'd get the MP-500 replacement if I liked the cartridge enough.
Vinyl&Kicks86
Well-Known Member
if i understand proper anti skating, cart/styli should move slowly towards label when styli is in the dead wax.cd test/laser disc are not proper test for anti skate?