Low output vs. high output cartridges


Hello,

How different Hana ML sounds than Hana MH? I wonder if anybody compared, not necessarily these two, but any cartridge model LO and HO versions.

Thanks

Tom

knock1
I should add that my opinion is based on the MC category. Among MC cartridges I have consistently found the LO versions to be superior to HO, but higher output MI and MM cartridges also outperform HOMC types.
Absolutely, The problem for high output MC's is that they have to have many more windings to generate the high output. This greatly increases even doubles the effective mass of the moving system of the cartridge. This is bad on several levels. The first is that the cartridge is not going to track as well. Second is that increasing the mass lowers the resonance frequency of the cartridge frequently down into the upper audio range giving these cartridges a shrill character. This can be partially negated by stiffening the suspension at the risk of tracking ability. In this sort of device the key to high performance is the lowest effective mass which is one of the reasons these cartridges are more expensive. The materials to do this are exotic and expensive. Some of them are difficult to machine, etc. This is the reason so many prefer the ultra low output MCs but for most Phono amps that is a step too far.