Yes, Hana is a good way to go if you want to enter the MC world, a lot for the money and even their entry-level cartridges are really good. For myself, I have a Hana ML, super happy with it.
6 Likes
Iām on my 2nd Hana SL, it does everything I look for, detailed but not bright, which suits me. I have heard a number of MCs which are bright/clean/lean and not enjoyable.
1 Like
What I admire above all about Hana cartridges is that they are all so musical, there is a flow and a rhythm so no matter what kind of music you play, it just feels right and real.
2 Likes
I have a hankering to buy an ML I have an SL just now and like it very much but I heard an ML earlier this year and was impressed. That may be next yearās purchase as I will be due for a change of cartridge.
I was unsure of the extra weight of the ML on my arm (Rega RB600) and its lower output than the SL but should be OK my present phono stage has 62db lift. I am also considering changing the arm and retiring the Rega as itās a good 20 years old now.
2 Likes
I just love such absolutes which is bound to, at some point, be plain wrong.
Based on what ?
Experience ?
Who have heard all cartridges WW ?
I have lost count of how many splendid MM/MI that will comfortable surpass MC.
Indeed the otherway round too.
Everything else is bs.
3 Likes
What was better about the ML @Robinho?? Never heard one, but Iām looking at replacements for my Hana SL that is going to be coming up for renewal. Was the ML much better and if so, in what areas? I was thinking of looking a little further up the scale at a Lyra Delos/Linn Kendo/Lyra Kleosā¦ But do wonder what the Hana ML is like as there arenāt many reviews around.
I would audition one if you can. The SL is a fantastic cartridge and I could continue to live with mine but having heard an ML I would upgrade to it next year if I can.
I think the review by the Audiophileman to be found on youtube hit the nail on the head. The ML is not just an improvement over the SL even though that would be good indeed but it is in a different league. Superb tone and detail with a lot of space for instruments.
The ML like the SL needs careful setup to hear it at its best but the time spent making sure itās right will be paid back I think.
2 Likes
The ML is probably getting an upgrade to MKII soon, so it might be a good idea to hold off for now. From what Iāve gathered, the MKII is a big step up from the old SL.
1 Like
Right, OKā¦ Iāll go and check that review out! I must admit, Iāve been pretty impressed with the SL in fairness. But, next time around Iād like something that projects voices out a little more and that is more spacious and revealing, without losing the pace and flow of the Naim/Linn system. I find the Hana SL is very very good for the money. I never auditioned it, but have been very impressed with it. Iāve always wondered if the ML was more of a subtle upgrade as opposed to anything more fundamental, so Iāll check that as out now! Thanks!
Ooooo really?! Great, thanks for letting us know! 
1 Like
Okay, then we know.
Certainly once you hit the $500 mark for MM, they start competing with entry level MC.
Personal preference means a lot but Iād probably stick with MM up to $1000. Even if you find a budget MC to beat it, replacement stylus, and therefore less removing the cart from the arm all count for a lot. Certainly with kids around MM doesnāt give me anxiety.
Youāll certainly get to a level where eventually the best MM wonāt compete with mid to high end MC. Where that line is, I have no definitive answer. My gut tells me up to $1500 it could go either way. But obviously if someone has decided they āknowā then they canāt learn anything new.
1 Like
There are always people who choose to misinterpret what you write fz, never put any energy into them, very wasted time imo 
I honestly canāt tell if you typed that with a straight face or not 
3 Likes
Thatās the point 
But some MM fanatics seem to have a very hard time realizing that.
Instead of playing on who has the biggest, could we come back to the subjectā¦
Share your experiences with reasonably priced cardtridges
Hmm, to my knowledge the Hana is a quite old design. ItĀ“s manufactured by Excel Sound Company for many OEM and retailers. It first have seen light in the ending 70s, early 80s and was sold as SAE 1000 LT/ 900 LT (High- and Low Output), Coral 777, Adcom XC/ LC (again High- and Low Output) and Thorens TMC 100 for instance.
1 Like
It has a lineage like many products, many Ortofons go back a long way too but it is much the same as calling a Linn LP12/Sondek an old design. There are an awful lot of differences between a SAE1000 and a Hana cartridge of any kind.
2 Likes
