Phono Cartridges - Your favorites and least favorites?

Ghost said:
Anyone here get the chance to run both a Hana SL and a Hana ML? Think my SL is running towards the end of its lifecycle and thinking about options. I love the SL and might just run it back but wondering if the ML is a game changer.
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I own a Hana SL and have installed every other Hana - except for the ML - this includes the Blue and Red, on other folks tables. I would suggest you try an Audio Technica VM95SH before re-tipping or upgrading. A new one will set you back $199. While all the Hana’s are exceptional cartridges, the VM95 is hard to beat. I own both - along with others - and every time I put the VM95SH back on the arm I wonder why I ever removed it. It is really “that good”.
 
Bob from Florida said:
I own a Hana SL and have installed every other Hana - except for the ML - this includes the Blue and Red, on other folks tables. I would suggest you try an Audio Technica VM95SH before re-tipping or upgrading. A new one will set you back $199. While all the Hana’s are exceptional cartridges, the VM95 is hard to beat. I own both - along with others - and every time I put the VM95SH back on the arm I wonder why I ever removed it. It is really “that good”.
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Are you saying you prfer it to a Hana SL?
 
Ghost said:
Anyone here get the chance to run both a Hana SL and a Hana ML? Think my SL is running towards the end of its lifecycle and thinking about options. I love the SL and might just run it back but wondering if the ML is a game changer.
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I have the SL and the ML running on separate tables now. I’ve tried the ML on three different tables and the better the table, the better it sounds.

Still, I only find it somewhat better than the Mark I SL and I’m perfectly content to keep the SL on my VPI, with retipping as needed. But, the ML on my Luxman is going absolutely nowhere - it is home. It fits that table well.

If you love the SL, get it re-tipped or get the Mark II. You won’t be disappointed by the ML, but I’d be surprised if you found it to be a “game changer”.

One last item: I found the SL Mk I to have great synergy with my VPI, perhaps more than the ML. Check the weight of the Mk I vs the Mk II to see which best fits your tonearm. The ML is on the heavy side for my VPI Traveler, but not incompatible.
 
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Bob from Florida said:
As much as I like the Hana, if I had to pick a deserted island cartridge - the VM95SH would be the pick. They are hard to tell apart and I enjoy the AT a little bit more. As a bonus, you can purchase 3 replacement needles with the savings over a new SL.
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@Ghost - The recommended load capacitance for the VM95SH is 100-200 pF. Consider if you can hit that mark with your phono and cables.
 
Slimwhit33 said:
If you need to make adjustments up, these are available.. I have a set coming tomorrow to aid in getting mine up to 400-500 for the V15..

DB Systems-DB Systems DBP-6 Phono Capacitor Loading Kit-Turntable Accessories|Acoustic Sounds

Acoustic Sounds Audiophile Vinyl Records
store.acousticsounds.com
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Im a crazy man because instead of going for an apparently comparable and affordable option I think I'm deciding to spend even more and try out this Le Son LS10 MKII while it has promo price lol.

Probs still a couple months away though, might end up having to pay full price.
 
Ghost said:
Im a crazy man because instead of going for an apparently comparable and affordable option I think I'm deciding to spend even more and try out this Le Son LS10 MKII while it has promo price lol.

Probs still a couple months away though, might end up having to pay full price.
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The one thing that has drawn me to that for the future is that their retip price is really competitive and they do it the themselves which makes it easier. That promo price has been on for at least a year now, might last longer than you think.
 
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Joe Mac said:
The one thing that has drawn me to that for the future is that they’re retip price is really competitive and they do it the themselves which makes it easier. That promo price has been on for at least a year now, might last longer than you think.
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That’s what’s getting me as well. I hesitate getting another Hana just due to the replacement price, but if this Le Son is what @HiFi Guy says it is AND they retip at a great rate, it feels like a no brainer
 
Ghost said:
That’s what’s getting me as well. I hesitate getting another Hana just due to the replacement price, but if this Le Son is what @HiFi Guy says it is AND they retip at a great rate, it feels like a no brainer
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Couldn't hurt to see how much VAS would charge to retip your Hana, especially seeing as they're in New Jersey.
 
Bob from Florida said:
As much as I like the Hana, if I had to pick a deserted island cartridge - the VM95SH would be the pick. They are hard to tell apart and I enjoy the AT a little bit more. As a bonus, you can purchase 3 replacement needles with the savings over a new SL.
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That's awesome. I honestly adore the VM95ML on my StudioDeck, and am thinking of trying the SH on my VPI Cliffwood in the future - though it does seem to prefer heavier carts, so I'm wondering if the 750 is the move, but at quite a jump in cost.
 
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