Help with Cartridge choice


Fellow audiophiles, my first time posting here and I will appreciate your help in choosing the right cartridge as part of my broader journey to put together an end game system. My upgrade path may not be very logical because it is opportunistic.

I use an old Pro-Ject Perspective turntable from early 2000s with the 9" aluminium arm (not the carbon one). I will make a significant upgrade in next couple of years but thats what i have for now.

I recently bought a Zesto Andros II phono stage to match my Zesto Leto 1.2 pre.

For now I am trying to upgrade from my Ortofon Bronze (MM) cartridge to something finer. Based on my research I am considering Hana ML ($1200). I have to stay below $1500. I have never used a MC or LOMC and not very analog savvy, and will appreciate any and all recommendations. 

Thank you!

musicmatters1206

Nice choice. I'd include the Audio Technica lineup, and NOT spend as much since you're limited by the table. Use the dough for speakers/amp. 

Maybe something in the OC9 series UNDER $1K

You should be fine with your choice of the Hana. This especially since you have done your research I assume this includes end user reviews The Phono stage has 67db gain which is good for the cart output. Sure there are other good choices available. But do you really need other choices since you have based your choice on your research?

 

EDIT - I didn't see look up the TT but itmay be the weak link itself. If so, then I would agree with others who say to back off the price. Its not a wise choice to put a $ 15oo Cart on a 1500 TT.

 

Thanks, in fact was looking at the at-art9 and willkep that in mind. Really appreciate. I am all sorted with amps (Mola Mola Kalugas), and speaker is a different ball game...will take couple of years to get there. 

@artemus_5 - thank you, you already answered part of my question, which was about compatibility. One part of that is th ephonostage, which seems good here, the other is the tonearm mass, which i am not sure how to go about....

 

Taking a wild punt at your present situation, It seems to me,  there is a desire to experience a Cartridge, and it is quite important to you as there is a wish to get the best from your Phonostage for the foreseeable future.

I would not spend big on a Cartridge at present, if a Cartridge requires replacing by all means seek out a new Cartridge out. A prudent choice at this stage will allow you to experience a MC Cartridge for the next few years, that can offer to you the impression a valuable upgrade has been made. If it is a very much enjoyed Cartridge and used regularly, it might be well on its way to needing to be replaced when your next phase of acquisitions materialize.

When making the provision for the funds to replace the TT > Tonearm,  pencil in a allowance for a Cartridge of choice and there is time on your side to make that investigation and decision about the Cartridges on your shortlist. 

I don't usually recommend a Brand, but recently, I have been seeing Vinyl Enthusiasts move onto the SKY ANALOGUE (SA) range of MC's, and more recently, I have seen their entry level model, Supersede the use of a Hana MC's in another  systems.  

The ( SA ) entry level will not break the bank and leave change to go into the kitty for future plans if the Hana is not chosen.