Musical surroundings, the distributor for Hana, has an upgrade program. Inagree that requires ML is likely too much cartridge for your table. I'd suggest you try the Hana SL for $750. When its time to upgrade the table, you can also upgrade the cartridge through their upgrade program. You can experience the Hana MC sound for now to see if you really like it and then go up to the ML or Umami later.
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!
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The OP is happy to make it known they are looking for direction to be offered, through their claim to not be analog 'analog savvy'. As the OP is also informing that their experiences to date, does not include using a MC Cartridge in their set up, it is safe I hope to limit 'analogue savvy' to the use of a vinyl replay set up/vinyl source only. There is a wish to spend monies now on a Cartridge only and a further spend in the not too distant future on a New Source, such as a TT > Tonearm and possibly another Cartridge. The want to experience new things can easily be redirected for a period of time by visiting a few places where a demonstration can be had of a Vinyl Source. This will at the minimum broaden an experience and maybe help the OP discover some sonic traits that are attractors to them and help with narrowing the field of products to consider. To do this will cost a few $$'s but the off set of gathered knowledge is money well spent. I have a been given good descriptions over the years of Vinyl Source differences about TT's>Tonearms and Cartridges. Keeping the subject restricted to a TT only, one description that sticks quite strongly and might be good for a person wishing to further their understanding is the differences between the assembly of a TT. There is what was described as soft system where the TT is functioning as a result of multiple part and linkages connecting these parts. This type of assembly has parts that are dependent on the optimization of the parts at the time of set up, over a period of time parts can change their properties or move. Additionally these assemblies are further mounted onto Plinths that are produced with complexities, as a result of having multiple parts in use. The environmental soundness of these materials is critical, as any property changes throughout the year will create a new condition for the mounting of the TT. This as a system when all critical parts are optimized can perform in a manner that is offering a very positive impression, but it will most likely deteriorate over time and it will take an experienced individual to keep on top of the optimization requirements to maintain the performance. A Hard System has lesser interfaces and the critical parts of the assembly are assembled with tight tolerances where the optimized condition is not necessarily needed to be treated in any method by the TT user. These assemblies are able in usual practice, to be mounted in a Solid Plinth that has not been produced from a selection of materials and components that are a design to allow for a flotation. A Tonearm when mounted onto the Plinth will be secured in a method that keeps the geometry between the Platter Spindle and Tone Arm Pivot distance maintained with little concerns. The more environmentally sound the plinth material is, where it does not change properties throughout the year, is the usual consideration for the Plinth material. This type of of set up is rigidly coupled and for the individual without too much experience, will be the one that will be requiring the least time spent with periodical maintenance requirements. For the OP, the Vinyl LP is the Source of the Vinyl Set Up, It is not known how large your LP Collection is and over how long it has been in your possession. To take the additional time to learn how to carry out Vinyl Cleaning and After Care will be a great benefit to your upcoming plans. A correctly cleaned Album, when having it first replay, can make a Cartridge sound like a New Item added to the System, the information retrieval is quite something. @elliottbnewcombjr has shown a link to a complete Vinyl Source and it is worth studying to learn a little. It is what I have referred to as a Hard System. Additionally look at the Speed Control on offer, many TT's will require a separate purchase off board power supply to deliver these accuracies, which as a separate purchase item, can quite easily surpass the price of the TT in the link
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