Hana SL cartridge - suggestions for step up?

[docvale]

Hi guys,

I've recently installed a new cartridge on my vinyl rig. After reading quite positive reviews, I pulled the trigger for a Hana SL. The cartridge is now placed in this system (https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/docvales-new-system.32226/#post-734292) and, specifically, it is my first Low Output MC. In fact, it replaced a Sumiko Pearl, which came pre-mounted on my turntable.

Upon the installation and alignment, I ran some tests and I collected the following (and somehow expected) findings:

- the Hana extracts more information from the grooves, in particular for the high frequencies. This might also be emphasized by me being used to the Pearl, which, retrospectively, sounded quite soft. At the moment the cartridge is loaded at 470 ohm, which performed better than wide open at 47 kohm. I have not tried lower loads, yet they would not be recommended by the manufacturer

- the Hana outputs at 0.5mV and I set the sensitivity of the Devialet's phono stage at 0.6mV. Compared to the Pearl (4mV), this resulted in a significant increase in the gain with the consequent higher surface noise (obviously, very dependent on the record) and some audible hiss with the arm in lifted position. The latter is not a dramatic issue, since the hiss is faint enough not to be noticeable during playback, yet I know it is there... with an MM cartridge, the Devialet's phono input is dead quiet, with zero hiss.

While I'm extremely happy with the overall performance, I am sure that the introduction of a SUT would allow me to return to the zero hiss I used to have, plus the benefits of the more refined and detailed performance of the Hana.

Any suggestions? I would like to have something commensurate with the rest of the system and, consequently, keep the budget contained and welcome used devices. The Hana has an internal impedance of 30 ohm and, with its output, my understanding would be having a SUT with a 1:10 ratio, so that the cartridge would "see" a 470 ohm load and generate the equivalent of 5mV.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Solypsa]

You have thought through the maths...and it looks like a 1:10 is the ticket which is good because thats pretty common. I wouldn't turn down a 1:8 or 1:12 though...

There is a lot out there. Just to put two ideas on the table there is the lundahl kits that K&K sells and the Sculpture A suts that are the 'house brand' for the super cool analog nerds at AnaMighty Sound in Paris.

 

[Shuggie]

I can certainly recommend the Sculpture A Mini Nano SUT, with 1:10 gain ratio. Michael Fremer liked it very much when he reviewed it with Sculpture A's A3 cartridge - see https://www.stereophile.com/content...urntable-sculpture-a3l-phono-cartridge-page-2

 

[docvale]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions!

 

[docvale]

Guys, thanks again for your suggestions.

since I wanted to “play” a little, but keeping the expense limited, I started with second hand searches. I know, sometimes spending more makes you spend “less”, but I think I’ve been lucky.
I spotted on eBay Japan a SUT from Denon, a AU-300LC (1:10), and I’m very happy with the results.
Noise is undetectable in any condition at well above realistic listening volumes and I recovered the slam on the bass without sacrificing any of the improvements I achieved in the higher spectrum after the introduction of the Hana SL.

my conclusions: while the MM stage of the Devialet is very very good, it’s MC stage is absolutely not on par, yet a SUT makes a dramatic difference

 

[Addicted to hifi]

Hi guys,

I've recently installed a new cartridge on my vinyl rig. After reading quite positive reviews, I pulled the trigger for a Hana SL. The cartridge is now placed in this system (https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/docvales-new-system.32226/#post-734292) and, specifically, it is my first Low Output MC. In fact, it replaced a Sumiko Pearl, which came pre-mounted on my turntable.

Upon the installation and alignment, I ran some tests and I collected the following (and somehow expected) findings:

- the Hana extracts more information from the grooves, in particular for the high frequencies. This might also be emphasized by me being used to the Pearl, which, retrospectively, sounded quite soft. At the moment the cartridge is loaded at 470 ohm, which performed better than wide open at 47 kohm. I have not tried lower loads, yet they would not be recommended by the manufacturer

- the Hana outputs at 0.5mV and I set the sensitivity of the Devialet's phono stage at 0.6mV. Compared to the Pearl (4mV), this resulted in a significant increase in the gain with the consequent higher surface noise (obviously, very dependent on the record) and some audible hiss with the arm in lifted position. The latter is not a dramatic issue, since the hiss is faint enough not to be noticeable during playback, yet I know it is there... with an MM cartridge, the Devialet's phono input is dead quiet, with zero hiss.

While I'm extremely happy with the overall performance, I am sure that the introduction of a SUT would allow me to return to the zero hiss I used to have, plus the benefits of the more refined and detailed performance of the Hana.

Any suggestions? I would like to have something commensurate with the rest of the system and, consequently, keep the budget contained and welcome used devices. The Hana has an internal impedance of 30 ohm and, with its output, my understanding would be having a SUT with a 1:10 ratio, so that the cartridge would "see" a 470 ohm load and generate the equivalent of 5mV.

Thanks in advance!

Congrats on the new cartridge.