I have not heard the Hana ML, but I suspect the $450.00 upgrade will be subtle compared to the SL. The difference between the EL and the SL is immediately apparent. The SL is probably the sweet spot in the Hana range. I would pause on the ML until you have figured out your phono preamp and can dial in the exact load and coil capacitance that would be needed to extract that last drop of goodness.Cartridges in the $1000 - $2000 price range (and I put the SL and ML in that range because they are exceptional values) should be considered along with the phono preamp. Anything more expensive and you are in a rarified area I cannot comment on.The KC Vibe is awesome. I seriously considered it, but went with something (a bit more expensive) that works better for my system and intended cartridge range.I am currently running a Hana SL on a Technics SL1200 GR running through an Odyssey Suspiro (SS phono pre). Also use an Mofi MasterTracker MM (also awesome and in some ways - and with some records - better than the Hana). Also llike the AT 740ML, my trusty Shure V-15 type III, and a few Grados and an old Pickering that are fun to mess with. The Technics handles them all with aplomb (well, the Shure is a little wobbly, but it works fine and sounds like it is supposed to). One of the great things (and there are many, comsidering the price) of the SL 1200 G series is the romoveable head shell and ease of set-up, which allows me to play with cartridges without much fuss.Get the front in dialed in to suit your needs and preferences, then worry about amplification and speakers to fit your room, tastes, budget, etc.
Substantial Upgrade
Longtime lurker, first-time poster: My wife and I got into vinyl about five years ago and have been steadily collecting records ever since. We love spinning records, and listen to a lot of jazz, pop, and classical music. We started modestly with an AT LP120, and are lucky to have a friend who just happened to have a pair of Totem Rainmakers sitting in his garage collecting dust, which he gave to us, along with a TSC sub and all cables. We have decided it is time to invest in our own system.
I've done a lot of research and read numerous threads on this topic here and elsewhere, and we've narrowed our choices down to two tables: the Rega P6 (in the $1500 price range) or the Feickert Volare (in the $3500 bracket). Either table I'll be getting the Hana ML. For phonostage, we've narrowed down to the MoFi UltraPhono or the Sutherland KC Vibe mk ii. I'm hoping I can solicit opinions here on these choices and, in particular, whether the Feickert is going to make a difference for our use case. Finally, I recognize that the speakers might be outclassed by these upgrades, but we are separately planning to move in the next year and I want to wait and see where our new listening room is going to be before investing in new speakers.
Thanks in advance.
I've done a lot of research and read numerous threads on this topic here and elsewhere, and we've narrowed our choices down to two tables: the Rega P6 (in the $1500 price range) or the Feickert Volare (in the $3500 bracket). Either table I'll be getting the Hana ML. For phonostage, we've narrowed down to the MoFi UltraPhono or the Sutherland KC Vibe mk ii. I'm hoping I can solicit opinions here on these choices and, in particular, whether the Feickert is going to make a difference for our use case. Finally, I recognize that the speakers might be outclassed by these upgrades, but we are separately planning to move in the next year and I want to wait and see where our new listening room is going to be before investing in new speakers.
Thanks in advance.
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- 68 posts total
@bruinuclafan Since you mentioned MoFi UltraPhono I’m assuming that you’re not against Mofi import duties/tariffs/tax. $2K Mofi Ultradeck - great reviews, newer design by established highly regarded manufacturers. I am building a high-end bucket-list audiophile system from scratch and am interested in best bang for buck without sacrificing sonic performance so this was on my short list (but I gave in to a much higher $$ VPI mass loaded used turntable- upgradeitus?). Optionally bundled with the positive reviewed MasterTracker cartridge to save you $. Somebody’s review on https://www.stereo.net " MoFi UltraDeck ,Clear audio concept , Rega Planar 6 which to choose?" "I recently auditioned the UltraDeck against the P6. To me the UltraDeck was a fair leap ahead. Firstly in plinth isolation from whatever you sit it on. Also it seemed to retrieve a lot more from the groove than the Rega. In particular the lower registers. " |
@sandthemall - gotcha. My mistake. I've been seeing that stellar phono pop up in discussions everywhere and assumed that's what you meant. @kahlenz - glad to hear you think the KC Vibe is awesome! @kennyc - I seriously considered the UltraDeck, but my local dealer said hey have had some issues with it and thought the Rega was a better fit in that price range for me. And just to be clear on the whole import/tariff thing, I have no problem paying that stuff (and since I'm in the U.S. both the Rega and Volare will be imports) I was just using that as one variable that I felt makes discussing purchases using budget as an absolute guide less than ideal. @co93 - Thanks for the suggestion. Do you have personal experience with the P6? And what do you mean by forgivable? |
I’ve got a P6 rega for my son (and a pro-ject for my daughter) My tables are $10k and $20k with carts. More often, the higher priced tables need more precise set up and tweaking. Rega is a good, solid table. I like the aesthetics of the higher priced Feickert and love his protracter. But he is a small batch producer. And you pay a premium for that. Rega is pretty large, and normally that means a better value with a larger support system. You can get them serviced anywhere.... But the worse thing you can do is overthink it.... |
- 68 posts total