My next cartridge?

HiFi
1

So far…

Ortofon Red
Nagaoka MP200
Nagaoka MP500
Hana SL
Hana ML, latest cartridge

I have an unused Hana SL to put on next but I am thinking ahead about where I might go after that.

I tried a Dynavector XX-2 a while back and quite liked that sound. Is there anything else at that level which might match the XX-2?

I listen to all sorts so an all-rounder is what I am after.

Budget up to £1500.

Any recommendations for an MC cartridge? Key aspect really is that it needs to be an all-rounder music-wise.

Front-end is Technics SL1200g > Allnic H-1202 if that makes any difference.

What has sounded good to you within my budgetary constraints?

Obviously, I will ignore all replies and buy something else.

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Acoustic Signature MCX-1 - this has been a revelation in my set up and is only the entry level cart in their MC range.

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Thanks Al, that’s Hana SL price territory which would be a good saving.

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I got it ex-demo from Audio Emotion and doubt there was more than 20 hours on it. I’ve hammered it since I got it and it still sounds tremendous.

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The Hana ML I have now was ex-demo and it has been excellent, despite the seller upon hearing my musical tastes stating “this is not the right cartridge for you”.

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I’m sure with some creative shopping and a little wheeler dealering you could get a hana umami blue at the top of your budget.

After my old transfiguration Phoenix got past its best I knew I’d struggle to find its spiritual successor, but the umami was actually very similar. Clean, neutral, but smooth. Dynamic and expressive. IMHO it’s a great value proposition.

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Ortofon Cadenza Red or if you can stretch a little bit Blue. My Techie got on really well with a Kontrapunkt b

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I was tempted by your recent Blue but the timing was wrong :+1:

I was also VERY tempted by the Luxman amp

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Whatever I go for needs to cope with Death Metal, Alice Coltrane, Cocteau Twins, Tangerine Dream, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Beck to name but many.

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This covers my musical tastes and the umami played well. It even held up to my German techno!

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I can vouch for everything apart from the death metal :grinning_face:

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Lightweight.

:face_blowing_a_kiss:

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Not always

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The Acoustic Signature MM cartridges look an awful lot like Ortofons…

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First dibs ?

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On what?

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Your ML.

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Sure, if I decide to sell it.

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They are Ortofons but tweaked by AS.

They might tweak fuck all apart from themselves, who knows, but at least they’re not charging a big premium.

The only MC carts I’ve had have been Ortofon on the end of a top notch Pro-ject deck but I much prefer my set up now.

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I’ve also got the AS tweaked Ortofon 2M Black and it’s a good 'un as well.

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