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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
phantom_av's avatar
phantom_av
326 posts
 
Get the Hana one of the very best in its price range, has a musical presentation that will put a smile on your face.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
The Aida is technically the better cartridge and in your system with your phono stage it will be superior. It has a better stylus, a superior cantilever, a much lower effective moving mass and a higher output which will give you a much better signal to noise ratio which you could use with your phono stage. I have handled cartridges from both manufacturers and the build quality of the Soundsmith is also better. You would have to spend $4-5 K to get a moving coil cartridge of this quality.  You will need the medium compliance version. The only other cartridge I would compare it to would be the Clearaudio Charisma. I would use the Charisma for Rock and the Soundsmith for everything else. 
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
The Hana will work on your arm you just have to add a little mass. Soundsmith sells a set of head shell screws of various weights. Very useful. 
big_greg
6,646 posts
 
Gee, I wonder if the OP bought something in the time that has elapsed since they started this thread.  Let's keep it going just in case they're still thinking about about it.
dover
2,247 posts
 
@pipetowers

The Project arm is not a great arm - therefore I believe you should stick to a medium/high compliance cartridge that does not exacerbate the Projects shortcomings - Soundsmith medium compliance. Even a less expensive Soundsmith with medium/high compliance will give you a more musically compelling result.

The Hana and other MC's suggested by others may initially give you more excitement, but ultimately your enthusiasm will wane because the arms shortcomings will become apparent over time.
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