I prefer the Hana Umami slightly warmer tone its more foriving on most crappy recordings but excellent on the best of the best recording too. Depends from systems to system but the hana is more musical overal to my ears.
Hana Umami Red or Lyra Kleos?
I’ve found out about two or three cartridges in my price range of $3000 -$4000 that should work well within the limitations of my Luxman 505uX Mk II’s built in phono stage. The other cartridge is the Soundsmith "The Voice" MI cartridge. Next I’ve had to figure out which are also compatible with my VPI Classic 2’s JMW 10.5i tonearm (with or without the VPI two pivot mod).
I’ve been informed off my short list, the Hana Umani Red and the Lyra Kleos both appear to have the right specs to be appropriate candidates for use with the VPI JMW 10.5i, However the Soundsmith "The Voice" would have weight and/or compliance issues.
Have any of you advice as to which of either the Hana Umami Red or Lyra Kleos MC cartridges you might prefer? I’m pretty sure these are both excellent choices, but may have some differences you might be able to point out, I’m a bit disappointed the Soundsmith "The Voice" might not match up well with the VPI JMW 10.5i tonearm, but so it goes. Thanks for any advice and sharing your experience with either of these cartridges.
Mike
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Great subject @skyscraper . I find it hard to get conclusions on the sonic signature of carts, making shopping all the more difficult. |
I thought this cartridge might be my final upgrade" syscraper, You're in the walltet opening zone. VPI Classic is a price point table. Putting a cart above $1-21K is questionable,IMO. Weakness of the arm design has been stated. Also, if you don't have the SDS or Phoenix RR speed control(better) you may not be aware what you're missing. Upgrading the arm on the Classic with the gimbal or an aftermarket is subject for a different thread. Subjective and personal choice. Using the same table and familiar with what it can do, I believe the carts your looking at may be underserved both by the standard arm and using the Luxman's internal phono stage? Does it have the performance of a standalone $3K+ unit? That's what I would be considering for them. Reason I suggested the AT ART9. It has fans who own pricier carts. For that reason, I wouldn't consider higher than a Lyra Delos. VPI long haulers seem to have upper level models using such carts. Just my opinion. If I were to go up the VPI food chain, I'd have theHW40 DD, put a REALLY nice aftermarket arm for a 2nd choice(if that's possible) |
Agree with tablejockey. A Hana ML would be a good match for the listed system. A Lyra Delos would be more clinical tonally, with more apparent detail and dynamics. The Delos is a little more "hi fi" sounding, to my ears.
The Kleos and Unami Red are better (similar differences) but 2 or 3 times the cost. For you TT, not worth it IMO. Good luck! |
bears repeating VPI pivot upgrade + Delos or similar will outperform a $4k cartridge on your current arm. Especially given the integral phono stage you have, Additionly, if i had a jones to spend $4k in your system it would be: VPI pivot mod, Delos, HRS turntable base ( specific to your VPI TT mass ) just my two cents…. @tablejockey has sage wisdom imo
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- 62 posts total