Hana ML Moving Coil Cartridge Review
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- Опубликовано: 22 июн 2020
- Hana’s range of cartridges continues to grow slowly yet steadily. New up? Paul Rigby reviews the ML moving coil complete with a MicroLine stylus: www.airaudio.co.uk/brands/han...
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REFERENCE
Origin Live Sovereign turntable
Origin Live Enterprise 12″ arm
Van Den Hul Crimson XGW Stradivarius Cartridge
Soundsmith Paua Mk.II cartridge
van den Hul MC One Special
Icon PS3 phono amplifier
Aesthetix Calypso pre-amp
Icon Audio MB845 Mk.II monoblock amplifiers
Quad ESL-57 speakers with One Thing upgrade
Tellurium Q Statement cables
Gekko Purple Haze cables
Studio Connections Cables
Blue Horizon Professional Rack System
Harmonic Resolution Systems Noise Reduction Components
CAD GC1 Ground Controls
All vinyl was cleaned using an Audio Desk’s Ultrasonic Pro Vinyl Cleaner
CREDITS
Tokyo images:
Image by Jason Goh from Pixabay
Image by Sofia Terzoni from Pixabay
Image by abdulla binmassam from Pixabay
Old Bossa by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Artist: www.twinmusicom.org/ 
Наука
Great review as always, soon my HANA arrives so we will see:))
Thanks for introducing me to Ethel Ennis!
Hi there, i'm considering moving up from an SL to an ML. Do you confirm it *will* give me more air around the instruments ? I get the feeling it's the SL weakpoint
Thanks !
You should find a general, overall sonic improvement.
I would say you will find a different sonic presentation. Only you will know what you like best it could be either or. Ive generally preferred ML and fine line to Shibata type. The Ortofon shibata's tend to sound better than their fine lines though but at the cost of being alot more susceptible to surface noise. On the flipside the Audio Technica ML carts sound better to me than the Shibata type. Where Microline seems to always win is supressing surface noise and pressing defects while also being very kind to the grooves and lasting along time. One other thing to mention is these ML and shibata types all require correct alignment or else they can sound very underwhelming. Another choice is the Rega apheta 3 which is fine line and super quiet and is a cinch to align for such a cart in a rega arm on a rega deck.
The ML is great, but the Hana Umami blue is the most amazing cart I have ever heard. Crystal clear and full/warm while staying remarkably neutral. Demos I have heard get the most out of top end TTs and really shine with jazz and live performances on good quality vinyl.
Using a eh with my rp8, sounds glorious. When it is time to retire the eh, I will upgrade to the mh
Any comparisons with rega ania pro and hanal ml? I have an RP6. Was also looking at the apheta but i think id need to upgrade the tonearm before getting into this.
I demod this cartridge on Sat and have to say the treble was outstanding, full treble extension, air and space and great control. It made my quintent bronze sound veiled and constrained. It was so much more refined tham the Rega Anna Pro.
It perhaps lost some bass weight but not my mucu. Im now struggling with my wallet
Great review! I’m trying to decide between the MH and the ML. Audiofuse Studio is my preamp
I ordered my ML, today. It was a hard decision. Classical dilemma between head and heart. But what is head and heart in this case? 52% for the ML. Both of them has their own advantages and disadvantages. A superb MC phono preamp is a must! I’m a Devialet Expert user. Maybe an additional phono pre amp willl follow.
@@btsr2553 Devialet looks cool. Did u get yr ML yet? I changed my preamp to MoFi Ultraphono so I’m going with the ML
Nice review. Any chance you can provide a comparison to Clearaudio virtuoso v2 mm. I'm considering between two. Thanks!
deciding between a Hana ML or Lyra Delos... hard decision. using a EAR 858 phone pre amp..
I have been dying to hear this cart with all the positive reviews. I might just need to bite the bullet at some point.
Definitely worth it. I am glad I did. It has been about 6 months and I have no regrets.
Great Cartridge ! At 80% performance of Etsuro Urushi Cobalt Blue you get amazing value
Great review. Would you have any views on the Hana compared to the Apheta3? I will be looking to renew my cartridge over the coming year or so and currently have the Apheta3 on my P8, not sure wether to stray from Rega or not.
I have the P8 Apheta3 and swapped for the Hana ML this week, the Hana ML is a much better cart.
I was never happy with the bass on the Apheta3, I didn't agree with their recommended settings and found moving the counterweight backwards a bit and easing off the anti-skate a little improved the overall sound but it still wasn't right, this has driven me mad for 3 years, I even visited 2 different Rega dealers in my area for a service and to demo their P8's and listen to them to make sure there wasn't some other fault with mine but they sounded the same.
I arranged a demo with Audio T in Bristol, they had a P8 set up with a well used broken in Hana ML and I brought in my own P8 with the Apheta3 and some of my best sounding LPs and was able to test them on both turntables side by side.
The Hana ML is superior in every way, it has a beautiful natural warm bass with great depth and soundstage and the mids and highs are stunning, gone is the harsh almost digital sound of the Apheta3 now replaced with a lush powerful sound that is perfectly balanced, every type of music from electronic, heavy metal, reggae and pop sound so much better
The counterweight is now moved way back on the tonearm with barely 1mm to spare as it is taller than the Apheta3, anti-skate at 1.8, VTA at 1.9 and it tracks very well.
Make sure you compare a used Hana ML rather than a brand new one as they take many hours to break in and sound a bit muffled to begin with, I'm only about 6 hrs in and approaching about 50% of the sound I heard at the demo in Bristol and it's still way better than the Apheta3.
My experience with the P3 and P8 is that Rega make great turntables but not so great with their carts.
Go for it, you won't be disappointed.
Hello
Great presentation, I just have questions, I’m going to use this cartridge with a MOON 110LP v2 preamplifier but I can’t find the capacitance for this cartridge. Buy any chance do you know what should be set
Thanks in advance
As far as I'm aware, there is no recommended figure for the ML. And there's one important point I'd make for this any any other phono amp out there, you *don't* have to run with the recommended settings. I used to but haven't now for many years and I benefit from that.
Punch in the recommended settings to begin, listen for a while and then try the next setting up/down and listen to that. You will eventually find the best setting for your ears.
Dedicate an afternoon to this and your listing experience will improve. For capacitance, set this on the lowest setting and work your way up. If you don't hear a difference, don't worry and leave it but if you do find a sweet spot, let your ears tell you.
@@TheAudiophileMan Thanks for your support
Will this Hana ML be a good cartridge on my new Technics sl1200gr? Do you have a fav place to buy?
No favourite place but yes, it should work well...in the end. If you're serious about improving the basic sound quality of your hifi via your 1200, look seriously at modding the 1200 itself to get the best out of the cart. A basic 1200 won't do that.
@@TheAudiophileMan What modifications do your recommend? Fluid damper? Tonearm wires? RCAs?
@@TheMaxx111 Power supply ( separate ) Arm
Have you done any comparisons to the AT PTG33ii or similar?
Its less than half the cost of this cart for starters. Has a better spec and build (gold plated boron cantilever and better generator). With Hana your paying extra for the name and pointless body material. Listening to high res FLAC of Hana ML vs Ortofon Quintet Black S - another cheaper cart - i find the Hana abit dynamically lacking and abit sluggish in the bass. I personally think the PTGii has no equal at its price point and you are paying for the engineering and nothing more.
Hello,
First of all, I blame you because because of you I have to buy the Degritter washing machine! 😅!
Back to what interests us now! I've finally decided to go back to listening to vinyl records (it's not too soon!) And I'm thinking of opting for a Turntable Kuzma Stabi S + ToneArm Stogi S 9 ’’ with an Aurorasound Vida Prima phono preamp! Admit that there are worse ways to start over with vinyl!
When it comes to choosing the cartridge, I'm very hesitant between the HANA ML and the SHELTER 501 MK3! What do you think ? have you already tested the SHELTER 501 MKIII ? Thank you very much in advance ! 👍🏽
Sorry! :) As for the cart? I haven't reviewed it but colleagues tell if it's very nice. Could possibly do with some more detail around the soundstage but still, very nice. Personally, I'd opt for the Hana,
I have a Audio-Technica LP120XUSB turntable with Nagaoka MP-110h cartridge connected to a ifi Zen Phono Preamp that is connected to a Rotel RA-1570 using balanced XLR cables. The loudspeakers are Bowers and Wilkins 603.
My question is...will I hear a big improvement in sound overall if I will upgrade to Moving coil Cartridge...let say Hana SL .... ???? Or for around 600-700 I would rather upgrade the whole turntable to something like rega p1 or p2???
I'll answer this in Friday's video - watch the skies.
@@TheAudiophileMan thanks again for your response! I decided to upgrade my turntable...now my budget is around $1100 ... what would you recommend ... getting a $1000 turntable ( Pro-Ject Debut Pro) and keeping the rest the same or ... getting a $600 turntable ( Pro-Ject Debut Evo) plus upgrading the phono preamp to something around $500 ( parasound zphono xrm preamplifier). Eventually I will upgrade to a moving coil cartridge something like AT33PTG/II or Hana SL. Thank you!
@@vitalie787I got the Audiotechnica AT-LP5X with the Hana SL...
It sound amazing !!
Vs Lyra delos ?
Hana means ‘Flower’. (It can also mean nose).
Hi Paul,
Appreciate your genuine attitude and wisdom rolled into a fun video!
I'm currently starting my analog journey, just got an Acoustic Solid TT with Rega RB220 arm and Gold Note PH10 amp following your recommendation, what's your best reccomendation for a cart in the 1k pounds' range for a tonal accurate and musical 3D soundscape?
I did find a second hand Miyajima Shilabe, of which I read it's fantastic for 3D soundstage and musicality, but an heavier arm is required than mine and not sure it synergizes with my TT
Appreciate your input!
Alex
Thanks Alessandro - check out Hana (ruclips.net/video/mMT0r-Z9cOI/видео.html) and also the Goldring Ethos (ruclips.net/video/egaoi4aZVR8/видео.html)
This really interests me, thank you. My thoughts had previously been to move from my Ortofon quintet black to Cadenza bronze but now I am swayed. What do you think? I realise Hana £500 less but would it compete?
Personally i think the Cadenza Bronze is going to be better but its always subjective. You are paying for some plastic and cryo stuff with the Hana that means sweet f.a. for sound quality in reality whereas the Cadenza Bronze is a unique stylus from one of the most amazing cart producers of all time. For me the Hana MH ive so far heard sounded really meh. Id even take an Ortofon 2M black over it. The Cadenza Bronze is a giant killer and a reference for HiFi world magazine whove used it on many turntables they test over a 10 yr plus period.
@@tomwebb7091 I've heard at least a dozen Ortofon's in the past several years. Yes, the Cadenza Bronze sounded warm and smooth, but it was less involving and eventually boring compared to my current cartridge Benz Ruby 3. Due to it's use/age, I am looking at the Dynavector 20XIIL, Hana ML and Sumiko Celebration Pearwood II. I own a Zesto Alesso SUT so matching impedance is no problem. 3 friends own the Dynavector 20XII H on very different tables/arms and it sounds fantastic. I've also heard it at shows on affordable tables ($2-$5K) and it always sounded great! The Hana ML is supposed to be slightly better balanced at the same price $1200.
@@stephenfleschler9682 I disagree. The Cadenza Bronze has the rarest combo of being both highly revealing while warm and smooth which is a rare trait in high end. If you found the cart boring then your system frankly must be boring af!
@@tomwebb7091 My system is NOT boring. I heard the Cadenza Bronze on several showroom systems and a friend of a friend traded it in for a Dynavector 17DX. My other preferred choice is a Sumiko Pearwood mentioned previously which I have heard twice and it was lovely and not boring. The Ortofon 2M Black is fine on 10% of one's collection and sucks on other LPs (my good friend bounced that cartridge after break-in. He is a vinyl expert and known LP remastering engineer). It sounds bad overall and has a higher than typical record noise level. I could purchase a Hana Umami which is a breed superior to Cadenza cartridges. Even a Koetsu Black would be more interesting.
Tiny Dynamite, yess.
Seeking recommendation: Hana ML or E. A. T Jo #5? I have an AnalogueWorks TT1 with Jelco arm.
Hana.
@@TheAudiophileMan Thank you. Are you willing to elaborate at all? The two are similarly priced and both do well in reviews.
Jake Murphy I have nothing against the EAT and you should go for that if you enjoy it’s sonic qualities. I think the Hana offers a touch more in terms of broad appeal.
@@TheAudiophileMan Thank you for your view. I have yet to hear either but hope to.
Hana is my choice, at the moment.
Was I absent for a minute or so while you described the bass? Or didn't you talk too much about the low-end (reserving that to your website?) BR, Per
Hi - yes, I talk about bass through the example of the bass guitar, at the end of the vid. I thought it was a highlight of the entire Hana performance.
You can buy a genuine Denon high output moving coil cartridge for the same price that it cost in 1980.
No comparison
look forward to hear you opinion on EL and SL (or even EH and SH). I like Hana, on the price point it OVER deliver; my experience - excellent sound - even when the "suspension" of the stylus was not "brake-in", was not expected to listen to my record with open mouth, already from first playing
Hi Peter - yep, hope to get to those, thanks for your comment.
For my Rega P6, I upgraded my Rega Exact cart to a HANA EH and never looked back, eventually I will invest in a MH. Great like for like replacement for all Rega turntables. Cheers!
Not a problem, Gary and glad you're enjoying your music.
I just replaced my Exact with Hana ML. It’s so good!
Gary, I'm right there now. I take it you found the EH to be significantly better on your P6 than the Exact. Did you look at the Ania by any chance?
@@rg1809 I jumped into the HANA purely down to reviews. I have a unfair view that Rega cartridges are below par for the money.
@@johnswansonsailplaneandstu4537 what is the shim hight that you used because I'm planing to do the same
It's just based on the same genrator from a Blue point special at a very high sticker price. I've owned Hana ML and a modded BPS and they are indentical basically. but for fraction of price you can have a beastly cart like BPS and upgrade to something like Boron canti or maybe gyger s diamond with ruby canti. Save your money...
That price goes to microline (vs elliptical) and higher compliance (17 hana vs 12 sumiko, that affects a dynamics; besides sumiko is heavy like a hell, so you will face to some compatibility issues) that gives two times more pleasant sound (as two times more expensive of course).
And I think the microline will last longer, so at an end you will pay the same price for a slightly worse sound
Sy
As they say : Hana is over hyped. They are an American company making cartridge look like japanese. :-D
Go for Denon or AT. How true is that ? I wanted to buy a Hana EH, now I am in doubt.
"They"? "American"? "Hyped"? Eh? :) I have been reviewing Hana for many years. There's no hype, I love them. They run head to head with the very best and out-perform many at the same price point. Hana is owned by Tokyo-based Excel, the same people who make these beasts: theaudiophileman.com/etsuro-urushi-mc-cartridge-review/. From what I know, Hana is a brand that is not sold in Japan, it is Excel's own export brand. The carts they sell into the western markets.
@@TheAudiophileMan Ok. :-) Thanks
Strange. I feel that it was only a stream of many fancy words. Noting of importance. Just a flow of wording like reading the description from the manufacturer with fancy images from Internet (sorry if you took those images then the hat off to you!)
No real images in the habitat there you have used it on your TT. The closest we came was that you liked the screw mounting without a nut. But that I can also see without having it in my hand. How do we know that the cartridge has been mounted on your TT. For what I care I can also take a random album and talk about brass and whatever while I steel images from internet that is panned in and out on..
No information about the cantilever, any issues or things to have in mind with the microline stylus alignment. Just a "review" of a album and missing a comparison against any other cartridges (you have reviewed so many, but it do not show). How do I not know if for example a Ortofon 2M Black also can do what you say: "showed a wonderful resonance that reverberated with a reedy character" and do on?
So what is the use of the review when there is nothing to compare it to. Every cartridge can get that type of subjective review from anybody any day independent of the price of the cartridge.. But if anybody say something like "Hana ML has lite bit lesser frequency extension than Audio-Technica VM540ML but more than Goldring E3". Than someone could relate..
Sorry to be so brutal but I really like your videos and your voice. Tanks for sharing the album review that sounded intresting!
So I compare the Hana to Cartridge X in the video. And you’ve never heard Cartridge X in action either. And so that doesn’t help. And then you're back to square one. So then what? I compare it to, what 2 cartridges? 5? 25? When do I stop? And how long is this video now? Is it even a review any longer because it’s now turning into a Group Test.
This channel is a little different in its approach, when compared to other hi-fi channels out there. Why? Because I recognise that you’re unique. Your hi-fi requirements are unique to you, your ears are unique, your listening room is unique, chances are that your hi-fi system is unlike many others, you have your own musical tastes…and on and on.
So for me to only rely on a video and nothing else to provide buying advice to you, a unique individual, would be the height of hubris. My ego just isn’t that big. It’s big…just not *that* big :)
So I don’t do business like that. You weren’t to know this, of course, but that’s why we’re having this conversation.
My ‘videos’ are basically in three parts. Firstly, the video itself draws upon my 30+ years (and counting) as a full time, professional journalist. It draws upon the experience I have of hundreds of hi-fi components.
Secondly, you need to look at the Description box if you have these sorts of queries. There, I list my entire Reference System. That’s the kit I used do the actual review. That might answer your question right there.
Finally and most importantly, you need to use the Comments section. As you’re doing right now.
The video is a taster, an introduction, it opens the door. It’s not supposed to provide all of the answers. How and why can you base an important buying decision on a 10 minute (or so) video? No-one should do that. I wouldn’t.
So, if the video whets your appetite but you have other questions, then you and I need to have a conversation to address that. You need to use my expertise to further your own knowledge. Of course, I should be just one part of larger research project that you need to do before you buy because you need to be super confident before you reach into your wallet but that’s what this channel is all about.
You need to decide if my approach is for you, if not? You need to find a critic that’s more sympathetic to your requirements.
Finally? Yes I realise that my videos need improvements and I need to show more hi-fi hardware in the video itself, me operating it, etc but I’m not full time on this channel. I do this work in between other commitments. With luck, that will change in the future.
@@TheAudiophileMan Another solution might be to play a record during the video so that we’d get a sense of the tone. Granted there are copyright considerations to consider but assuming can you overcome those, as you’re using the same hardware it would give viewers a chance to assess the differences in the cartridges since those are the only things that would change in your system
@JohnnyFriendly "but assuming can you overcome those" That's a family-size assumption. Also, any judgement you make is directly related to the device your listening to. Not my review sample. That is, you're hearing your device only. Not the cartridge. Finally, if I record the sound, as soon as it enters the microphone, it's changed sufficiently to make judgement completely worthless. Worse than that, the sound is then morphed and twisted and changed 50 times through the cabling and the sockets and the servers and goodness knows what else.