Cartridge suggestions for SME Turntable

Update.....after listening to Hana - ML MC for 3 weeks, I have decided to bring in recently announced Hana - Umami Red (Low Output) MC. The Umami Red shares some of the critical design elements of Etsuro Urushi Gold ($21K). I hope to use Umami as my reference to compare with following carts lined up for audition over the course of next couple of months,

van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius
Charisma Signature One
Miyajima Destiny
EAT Jo No. 8
Benz LP-S

@lalitk 

Any updates regarding your comparisons of the Umami Red against the Urushi Gold or others? I have the Benz LPS and Benz Ruby Z, and Soundsmith Sussaro MKII, Hyperion and pending Opus 1 and Koetsu Jade platinum inbound. 

@audioquest4life , which of the cartridges you have to you like the most?

@audioquest4life 

I have been enjoying Hana Umami since October 2020. Frankly, this cart is so well balanced that I haven’t felt the urge to try anything else. I have just purchased SME V arm, once installed I would get back on track to try other carts. How do you like Benz LP-S? 

@mijostyn,

My favorite right now is the Soundsmith Hyperion. It is not like any other Soundsmith cartridge I have heard or owned. It plays well and competes with cartridges costing thousands more from other manufacturers. The Hyperion does not have the Soundsmith house sound, but the organic sound of something like a Benz LPs and the details of a Koetsu Onyx. In order of ranking for my current collection. 
1. Soundsmith Hyperion MKII
2. Benz LPS
3. Soundsmith Sussaro MKII / Benz Ruby Z (tied)
4. Goldring Merlot Elite (Transrotor)

Will be interesting to see how the Opus 1 and Either Jade or Coralstone stack up in the future.
All are being used between two SME V arms. Third 12inch arm pending.


@lalitk,

I love the Benz LPS. It was my reference cartridge for years. I had compared it to the Onyx, not platinum version, and thought it was not too far off the characteristics from the Onyx. The Benz LPS has great voicing and stereo spaciousness that will make you happy. Until you hear a better cartridge it is great for what it does and can serve as a daily play cartridge for lots of music. 
Compared to the Onyx, I felt it lacked the detail and robustness in voices that the Koetsus are known for. But, the Benz LPS is in a category that exceeds the performance of many other cartridges and if that is all that you have, enjoy it. 

On my system, I played around with wide open (47) loading and below...it seemed to like a higher loading figure on my system. 
Right now, I am using the Ruby Z as back up to give the LPS a rest. The Ruby Z is also great, but lacks that last bit of detail the LPS can provide. 
This is a crazy fun hobby for sure. I guess I am going to have to add the Unami Red to my collection because it sounds like a cartridge hitting way above its league too, just like the LPS does.