MC cartridge for Clearaudio Concept 1600$

@norust thank you for your experience! @neonknight previously mentioned this cartridge too and I had doughts about compatibility with Concept tonearm. But you proved they work fine together 

Not sure if this helps as my cartridge is not one of those you listed but I do have the Clearaudio Concept turntable.  I moved to a MC cartridge earlier this year and selected the AT - ART9XI cartridge.  This was a definite improvement in my system and paired with my Modwright PH 9.0 phono preamp which is tube based, its a solid combination.  Just a thought.........

@sls883 cool. First I wanted to take Vertere Dark Sabre MM (1600€), then I thought why should I buy MM again if I can take a good MC for this money? And Hana ML is even cheaper. But I still do not filter out Dynavector and Goldring. If I get lost I can always take Clearaudio Concept MC or Signature MC, but I didn't like reviews of them much. Thats a pity I can't just take them all and compare.

@iad As far as comparisons, the Marantz TT-15S1 comes with a Clearaudio Virtuoso Ebony Wood MM cartridge. It's a well regarded cartridge.  I found the Hana ML to be considerably better.  I've also had a Goldring 1042 MM cartridge.

Some of the improvement is coming from the Sutherland TZ Vibe phono preamp. I was using a Sutherland KC Vibe with the MM cartridges. 

@iad I am in full agreement

@knock1

@sls883

So difficult to compare, I use both and had experience streaming was better than vinyl (new pop artists have great hi-res recordings and poor vinyls because they are made just to earn money from nonaudiophiles) or vinyl was better than streaming. It depends on vinyl quality, for example Music on Vinyl presses will beat cd and streaming. And I founded on Tidal some albums that sound awful no matter they are hires.

I had a Goldring Legacy(MC) on a Rega P9/RB 1000 for 5 years. I estimate over 1300 hours on it before the cantilever started to shift. The Ethos/SE is the current replacement for the Legacy. The strength of the Legacy was the Bass and Prat while being very balanced. Treble was slightly dark and not as airy/detailed as my current Phasemation PP 200 which is still in the break in process. In summary the Goldring is less of a finesse cartridge like the Hana which might be better suited for acoustical music not Rock or Hip/Hop which the Goldring excels at.

@sls883 I do stream. The streaming and CDs are great with details and imaging, not that my vinyl is way off these aspects, but the vinyl I find more "organic" and natural. All depends from the material, rock, classical, jazz, etc. 

Of all the adjustments/changes/enhancements I’ve done to my system in the past 5 years, putting a Hana cart on my VPI Traveler BY FAR made the biggest difference. I’m always prepared to be disappointed when trying something new in audio, but the Hana’s performance (over the Grado Silver I had on there) was just incredible. 

@drrsutliff thanks for your opinion friend, I  am closer and closer to Hana. If someone could compare it with Clearaudio I'd be happy

I agree with @knock1 about the Umamai Blue but starting with the Hana ML would be an excellent introduction to MC and the performance would exceed @iad  Sumiko in a positive way.  I have an ML that is in rotation with my SS Hyperion MR and Lyra Kleos and holds its own in presentation enjoyment.  

I agree with @knock1 about the Umamai Blue but starting with the Hana ML would be an excellent introduction to MC and the performance would exceed @iad Sumiko in a positive way.  I have an ML that is in rotation with my SS Hyperion MR and Lyra Kleos and holds its own in presentation enjoyment.  

@knock1 do you stream music?  If so, how would you compare the sound quality to vinyl?

I've often felt that streaming was better in my system. The Kacey Musgraves album surprised me. Other albums have sounded better streamed. Both sound good. 

@knock1 Nice. I haven't heard those, but it looks like good stuff. 

@sls883 I am using In The Groove by Pathos and integrated is InPol Remix MK II

@iad you will not be disappointed 

@knock1 I will be monitoring the market

@knock1 What are you using for a phono preamp? 

I have switched from Hanna ML to Umami Blue and while I had been enjoying ML a lot, the Umami did outdone it in every aspect. Details, tighter bass, all made the sound even more "sweet", natural and engaging. One may find deals on Umami once in a while. My deal was an "open box" that couldn't be passed. BTW, my table is Marantz TT15s.

@sls883 well, this is also an indicator, ok, thank you

I wouldn't say that it has a sound signature.  It's not overly warm, bright, etc. 

I switched back and forth between vinyl and streaming and I couldn't find much difference.  I think my dac and streamer are pretty good.

I don't think you'd be disappointed. 

So many praising reviews about Hana ML one might get the impression that this is the perfect cartridge

@sls883 so how can you describe Hana's sound signature? 

@neonknight Thank you for advice! Not sure AT will suit my tonearm because it has compliance 25 10-6 cm/dyne (10 Hz), too much. And neutral and refined is good, but I'd prefer emotional and energetic with punchy low end. If Hana has more "meat" it is also good.

I have a Hana ML on a Marantz TT-15S1 (made by Clearaudio). Sutherland TZ Vibe phono stage.  It sounds great. 

I recently purchased Kacey Musgrave's Deeper Well on vinyl just to see how it sounds. I thought I would prefer streaming over vinyl, but they both sound excellent. 

The Hana are the favored child it seems in today's world. Made by Excel, you probably cannot go wrong with it. The Ethos gets a solid report also. I would include an Audio Technica ART9XI into the mix, and if you shop carefully you should get it at budget or less. Dynavector is a solid choice too, the only one I have no experience from the brand is Concept. There are so many variables in analog that its going to be a bit of a challenge to say what you will hear in your system for sure, so describing a cartridge is a bit of challenge. I would say of the 3 the AT is going to be the most neutral and refined, and the Dynavector is a close second. The Excel will have a bit more body and texture, but this is all shadings of a good sound.