I had a Bronze on my Thorens with an Rega RB300 arm. Hated it. Listening fatigue was off the charts. Lasted two months, kept hoping it would settle in but not a chance. Went to a wood body Grado, Heaven ! Never ran a MC so I’m looking at the Hanna. 😎
AHA! Isn't that IFI Phono 2 the living $h*tz! 😁 I am profoundly impressed with it. So, I think that was a great choice to test/play the Hana. I don't know about the 'Relaxed' part, but I'm glad you thought to mention it. Really looking forward to your cartridge shootout!
Glad you like the iphono. The Hana EH is a great match with the iphono. The EH is relaxed when compared to other carts, but in general it’s hard to notice.
Thanks for doing this! I'm currently using the Ortofon Blue on a Thorens TD 166 MK II through Quicksilver Horn Monoblocks and tube phono and line preamps (so everything is tube) hooked up to 1981 Klipsch Cornwalls. My tube phono can only play MM carts or a high output MC. I'm very happy with the Blue but starting to feel like I'm getting to the end of its life after 2 years of regular to heavy use. I could buy another Blue but I'm oh so curious about other cartridges like moving up to Bronze or this Hana... I've had AT in the past as well. Maybe this series will help me decide!
I highly suggest you move away from the 2M blue and either go with the Bronze or the Hana EH. The bronze will be an easier fit with a standard MM preamp that doesn't have various gain adjustments etc. The Bronze is analytical without the sharpness of the Blue. Two totally different cartridges. If you haven't used a high output moving coil then this might be the perfect opportunity. I cannot even explain how good the Hana cartridge is with my IFI Phono 2. It is also good with other preamps, but the two are just made for each other.
After doing a lot of reserch to get my 1st MC, I decided on the Hanna ML, when my dealer gave me offer which was hard to refuse for a first time buyer. A Benz MC Ruby 3, for about $300 more than Hanna ML.This seemed to have better specs( I know we are not to go by that always).This has a nude line contact diamond,mirror polished on a solid boron cantileaver. This is a fantastic stylus on my new Accoustick Signature Primus. Problem is I cant get the ML out of my mind. Your thoughts on this matter is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Wow good choices to have. Let me generalize first. Stylus geometry, I’m not sold on the type used other than line contact has less record wear due to larger patch contact. Line contact can be harder to set up. Cantilever, whenever you can bet boron or ruby get it for sure. Boron seems faster and tighter. Coil system, to me this is most important. Who makes this best wins!! Two very good carts. I don’t have the Benz ruby to say it’s better but I want several Benz models, hint , hint. Yea get the Benz and report back. I should say that sumiko has the blackbird and starling in that price rang. Upcoming video on the songbird.
Thanks for the review. Did you find the cart picky for loading? I've seen some mention of 400 - 450 ohms being the sweet spot but my phono stage only has 100 and 1000 options (and 10 and 47k).
Love my Hana! Hey so I’ve been trying to figure out what the drum song is. I got Phil Most Chili/Mr Fantastic Superfunk but I can’t find the version your playing here.
I replaced a Denon DL-110 with a Hana EH. It bettered the Denon in just about every dept, especiallly tonal quality and separation. The DL-110 did have more bass punch.
I didn’t notice and inner groove distortion at all. I find it’s more dependent on cartridge setup and turntable. Low tracking force can also be an issue. I will discuss this in an upcoming review of a denon turntable. I can not only hear the inner groove distortion but can see it in audacity. Audacity is a good tool to help with cartridge setup.
Yes the ifi iphono 2 is not available unless used. The ifi zen did not come close to the soundstage and clarity of the iphono 2 and the iphono 3 is just expensive. I found the zen to open up after time but not close to the iphono 2. Tough to say what cart works best with the zen as it the clarity doesn’t show the character of carts. Tough spot to be in. Just being honest. I have the ifi zen air in at the moment for review. Will also being coMparing the zen balanced to the chord huei. At the end of the day I have a rule with vinyl. 33% on each piece in the chain meaning 33 on the table 33 on the cart and 33 on the preamp. When these things align you get good performance in general.
@@ThriftShopReviews thanks for your Answer. So nothing works with the Zen, or anything works? Or do you only recommend cartridges if someone owns a preamp that is not available anymore?
Is there a reason we need to watch half of the screen/image above your head of nothing? Unless if you're hiding something you're doing with your hands, please FILL the frame with useful things. Looks awful otherwise... ;) Thx!
