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Possible Cartridge Suspension Collapse?

I dunno, it seems like my Hana SH is riding lower and lower as time goes on.

I got it new in 2018 and haven't spun all that many LPs on it - maybe have 350 hours?

Yesterday, I was spinning some LPs after not using it for about 2 months and at the start of every LP, there was a whoosing sound from the speakers - turns out the bottom of the cartridge was making contact with the very outside raised edge of LPs. Then as the record plays it would stop, but the cartridge body is darn near touching the LP surface - I mean practically an "RCH" distance.

On my Technics SL1200mk2, I run my VTF right at 2.0g (double verified with a Shure gauge and an electronic one).

Was thinking of moving up to the Hana ML, but now skittish of Hana's - may have to start thinking of getting a replacement regardless as my SH is just too low.
erikt
wolfie62
354 posts
 
Long live the replaceable stylus!!!

This is just one reason I don’t have any MC cartridges.

Ive been relaxing and enjoying the music from vinyl for over 50 years. Tidal doesn’t have half my collection. If playing vinyl records was tedious and troublesome, I would have realized I was doing something wrong, long ago.
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
whart,
I live in Az. How many roadrunners do ya want? They're like ants out here!
Lol. :-)))
tooblue
1,978 posts
 
@whart , you won't see them, you will just hear the beep beep. Enjoy the music
bikerbw
108 posts
 
Yes, I second/third the suggestion going through the dealer to discuss repair/replacement/upgrade options.  Hana warranties only run for two years but they might take pity on you and give you a good deal.  I'm running a Technics SL1200mk2 with a Hana SL and it works really well with the standard Technics head shell (tried the LP Gear Zupreme, couldn't quite get it to work well).  I DID have a Denon DL-301MKII cantilever collapse to the record surface one time, but it was still a fairly new cartridge and under warranty so Denon swapped it out for a replacement fairly quickly.  I could see how aggressive cleaning (especially with an ONZOW Zerodust stylus cleaner) could compromise a delicate cantilever assembly, but if you've been spinning records for some time you know to handle them gently.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
I would like to hear what Hana or the dealer does. Historically, because it is so easy to damage a cartridge, unless the cartridge is brand new they will laugh at you. I have never seen this happen to a MM or MI cartridges. With MCs it is a not uncommon event. The tether is held tight by a little set screw which for a number of reasons did not get a firm grip on it so it started slipping. It is a simple task to retention the wire and re set the screw but it takes a special microscope to do it. If Hana doesn't respond I bet Soundsmith will re set it for an hour's labor. 
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