Hana Umami Red or Lyra Kleos?

@skyscraper I went with the Kleos because i wanted a more resolving cartridge and felt the Hana was a little veiled in comparison. This could have been due to set up, or upstream/downstream gear, as I did not hear the two cartridges with the same arm/table etc., I used to own a Benz Ruby 2, which was a great cartridge, but again a little warm balanced. At the time, Benz was no longer available as an option to me, otherwise I would have gone into a Benz LPS MR. ( which is a superb cartridge), so the choice was for the Kleos. ( which is also a lot more resolving than the Benz). The Kleos requires a very very precise set-up and loading to get it best; when I hear people naysay the Kleos ( or newer Lyra’s in general), I know they have listened to one that was not set up with enough precision. The Hana most likely is FAR more forgiving in this respect.

You do realize that these are fungible items, that wear out, like windshield wipers?

And that complex tip shapes require expert setup?

skyscraper-

Peter Ledermann himself  demoed his carts on VPI's for years.

SS cart's do have compliance options.

All your choices are solid. More of "Goldilocks" choice and how it interacts with your phono stage.

VP arms aren't the last thing in technology compared to others, but It can be setup for a convincing performance. I use an old  VPI Classic.

@tablejockey  : That could means only that's what he like but not tell us if is the " adequated "  tonearm option. 

Good for you that like unipivots that again are the worst tonearm kind of design for any cartridge can shows at its best that must be the target in any cartridge/tonearm combination. 

R.

Edcyn. thanks for answering my question to you. On this subject I was reading a review of the Hana Umami Red last night that addressed the warmth question.. The reviewer was thinking at first when doing a demo, that the Umami Red was warm like you describe your Hana ML. But then when trying it out with other equipment he found it not to be. He finally decided in his estimation the Hana Umami was neutral and only reflected the degree of warmth of the other components.

Interesting you say the difference in your Hana and the Lyra wasn’t night and day. The sense I’ve been getting so far from researching online is that is the case between the two carts under discussion overall.

Davyf, thanks for your response to my question to you as well. One of the reasons I chose the Magico A3’s is that they are revealing. I’d hate to loose any of that quality with the Umami, but on the other maybe they could stand a little warmth in the mix, if the Umami Red’s are indeed warm. I really have to find a way to listen to both, preferably in the same system.

It’s interesting you say the Kleos needs a precise set up. A couple of reviewers said the same thing. I’m going to have a pro do mine whatever choice is made, as I’m strictly the amateur hour in setting up a turntable.

Fstein, answer to your question is ’yes". And nice use of the word "fungible"..

Tablejockey, my only question on the Soundsmith is whether that particular cartridge, the Soundsmith "The Voice" fits that mold with the Classic 2’s JMW 10.5i’. Interesting you mention Lederman demoed his cartridges with VPI’s. I wonder which ones? Somebody I read last night mentioned he heard Mr. Weisfeld demo his turntables at a show with a Lyra cartridge

Like mentioned earlier the Zephyr was designed with VPI turntables in mind, but maybe others in their line their might work. I’ll let you know what Soundsmith says if and when I hear back from them. Thanks

Raul, appreciate your input. Would you have any preference between the
Lyra Kleos or the Hana Umami Red?

Mike