Warm sounding phono cartridge

Agree with knotscott, in my system the MP500 is a very well balanced cartridge. If anything, it has an especially rich bass register without losing detail or separation of instruments. In fact I’d recommend it to counteract a “thin” sound. I’ve never seen any comment to the effect that the MP500 treble needs taming.

The MP 500 is a high output moving iron cartridge. So the only reasonable loading is 47,000 ohms into a moving magnet phono stage. I even use 100K ohms. There’s no accounting for the sound if something else is done.

Surprising. The Umami blue is a relatively warm catridge. I agree with suggestions to have set up checked by a professional. Or may be deffective. 80 Ohms is borderline. Of course it dépends of the set up but 100 ohms is recommended. Is the gain to high?

Personaly, I had a Hana SL and upgraded to a Pure Fidelity stratos at 2000$  A bit less detailed, but more Bass punch and sound stage. The reviews on the Stratos are simply outstanding and so is my listening experience.

From what you have said, I'd  have the cartridge itself checked. I once bought a brand new cartridge that just didn't sound right. It was sent back to the mfg and checked. It was bad. They sent me a  new cartridge. New items can and do come out of the plant that are defective.

Either that or they’d rather not argue with a customer. It’s easier to just replace the cartridge than to dispute the claim, and it turns a disgruntled customer into a grateful one.