Hana phono carts

IIRC Gianluigi has one on his Linn.

C.

Yes i got the mc low output version for my turntable. I'm sure there are better cartirdges out there but this Hana SL just keeps me sitting and listening to music (albeit had not time for it lately).

Shibata cut lets grooves shine again. I usually buy used records and the risk to get cheated by some sellers' debatable evaluations it's in the game. I recieved records i thought someone used as pot dishes but clicks and pops aside (which i'm used to since i was a child) cartridge did not miss a groove and music was great. I currently have Naim mc boards in my 82 but i believe this cart can give more. So the hunt for a phono stage has started.

I think Hana is worth an audition!

Hi Gianluigi,

Please do let us know how you get on with your phono stage search.  Looking on-line, I found many comments about each and every one of the leading phono stages which claimed that it "punched way above its weight/price point", was "far better than XYZ other leading phono stage" etc.  In short, on-line reviews generated a fog of conflicting opinions & confusion.

I then tried a number of phono stages to replace the phono boards in a 32.5 and a Dynavector P75 mark 2 outboard phono stage.  The main conclusion was that the performance & worth of a phono stage cannot be reliably defined in isolation.  There is such a synergy effect between certain cartridges & phono stages, that it is the combination of cartridge & phono stage that really matters.

The Sim Audio Moon 310LP/320S was by a long way the most enjoyable, natural sounding and musically satisfying phono stage in the £2,000-£3,000 price range that I found to go with a Dynavector XX-2 cartridge.   On the other hand, the Aurorasound Vida sounded excellent with a Kiseki cartridge yet was too lean with my XX-2.  Other phono stage trials included the Whest 3 Signature, Whest PS.30RDT SE, Naim Superline, Trilogy 907, Linn Uphorik and a Paradise 3 box one (I can't remember the others).

So do let us know how your journey progresses, especially as you have a Hana cartridge.

Best regards, FT

I was aiming at a Prefix (just to avoid the "cables hell") i'd link to a Scap.

It's a vast scene out there and no chance for auditions..........

Hi , how did you manage to make it work with your P6 I have the Cartridge Hanna but It won't work unless i use cartridge spacer, did you had the same issue with yours mine is a P3/24 this cartridge is only 5kg .

Ray,

I had concerns over spacers as well. The dealer installed the cart using a MFSL Geo-Disc, same as I've always done. We decided to use my stainless bolts rather than the aluminum ones provided by Hana, thinking a little more weight with the cart couldn't hurt. Set the VTF to 2 g on the Rega arm and verified it with an electronic balance. The Hana is positioned pretty much fully forward in the RB303. No spacers required, the dealer would have installed one at no cost if he or I thought it was warranted.

Read some Hana reviews on the net and you'll find several using Rega arms without compliance issues. Some folks use spacers, some don't. I guess if you listen to a lot of heavy modern vinyl spacers might be a concern. I listen to mostly vintage LPs so I'm not going to worry about it. I'd probably be more inclined to monkey with a thinner mat.

One other attribute I should mention about the Hana SH is that it plays with far less noticeable pitch variation than my previous elliptical MM carts. Also, it plays more consistently well from the beginning to the end of an LP side.

I did install spacer in my case it fix the problem, the counterweight on rega turntable is heavy , din't have the problem with my previous cartridge, but the Hana is worth the effort, see how long it take for a price increase.

Fairly recent Hana SL here on an RP6, only have about 15hrs on it so far but have been very happy with the purchase.  My first MC, last cartridge was an Exact2, needless to say the Hana is a step up in every aspect.  I had the dealer install it (being my first non Rega cart) & he went with a 2mm shim.

I too had to address the VTA issue recently when moving from an Exact to a Dynavector 10 cartridge. I plumped for the Michel variable adjuster and ended up putting in an extra 4mm on the base of the arm to keep it level. This makes sense as there is a 4mm difference in the respective cart heights.

Ray

Ray1,

You mentioned spacers fixing "the problem". Can you elaborate on the problem in your case? I could stand to tighten-up the bass a bit and wonder whether a spacer has any effect in that regard.