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Soundsmith Aida vs Hana sh

I would like some help in choosing the right cartridge for my set-up. I have a recently rebuilt sota sapphire series 3 with a pro-ject 10cc, Soundsmith Carmen-H into a Manley chinook se.
I really have these two in mind.

Soundsmith Aida & Hana sh

I’m looking for technical help on this, not opinions on what you think sounds better. I have heard both on different systems that were set-up for them and like both very much.The Hana being the winner for value and the Aida sounding the way a $2,000.00 cartridge should. The Hana maybe a little light at 5 grams for the stock counter weight on the 10cc & both seem to me to be a good match with the Manley.Please let me know what you think. Thank you
128x128pipetowers
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,467 posts
 
I'd guess that the Aida would sing better.
lewm
13,008 posts
 
The scuttlebutt that I read was to the effect that the Hana SL is the one to get.  Of course, it's output is lower than that of the HL and of the Aida.  So maybe not compatible with your system as is.
pipetowers's avatar
pipetowers OP
13 posts
 
First of all, Merry Christmas to all and thanks for the responses,
lewm, I'm referring to the Hana sh hi output mc at 2mV output it lower than the Aida at 2.12 mV. stringreen, are we talking from experience? 
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
Nice avatar pipetowers. Welcome to the forum. 
lewm
13,008 posts
 
Pipetowers, I think I understand your question; you want to choose between HL and Aida.  I offered the perhaps irrelevant opinion that the Hana SL may be superior to both, based on written opinions I have seen on line (not based on personal experience).  But if you don't have sufficient phono gain, please do ignore me.  The only persons qualified to advise you on this decision would be those who have heard both cartridges in the same system, including with the same tonearm and turntable.  So far as I can tell, none of the responders, to date, is qualified on that basis, including me.  In the end, you sometimes have to just "go for it" and decide for yourself.  The good news is that they are both excellent cartridges, probably, and you won't go "wrong". 

If you are thinking of these two cartridges in their respective price ranges, perhaps you also ought to consider the Audio Technica ART9.  The output is comparable to the two others. It gets rave reviews. (I own an ART7 and like it very much.) And the price I think falls just above that of the HL.  Sorry to throw yet another monkey wrench into the works.
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