Hana Umami Red or Lyra Kleos?

Tablejockey, that must have been fun to been able to talk with Peter Lederman. I’m hoping for even an email reply from him about "The Voice" cartridge. You’re absolutely correct about your ears and wallet being the best guide.

I sometimes wish I lived closer to a big city, so I could find a shop that had high end equipment to audition, like I used to in my twenties living near New York City.. Instead I enjoy hearing from each of you who have that luxury, and/or are knowledgeable about the nuts and bolts of audio, specs especially of late.

mijostyn,, are you saying the the Lyra Kleos at $3,650 is a better performing cartridge in your estimation than the Hana Unami Red at $3,999. Before I cross the Hana Unami Red off my short list, I’d like to confirm you aren’t only making the comparison with the relatively "cheaper" next model down the Hana line, the Hana ML at $1200, If that’s the case I appreciate you providing a direct answer to my question about the Kleos versus the Umami Red .

Sounds too like I’ll have to add a better tonearm to my wish list from what you and Raul are saying. Just when I thought this cartridge might be my final upgrade. I feel like Al Pacino in the last Godfather movie when he was trying to finally "get out" but kept getting drawn back in.

Achipo, unfortunately the Soundsmith Hyperion comes in at double the upper end of my price range. Sounds like a winner otherwise.

Mike

Mr_m, glad you were able to speak your mind.

So far I haven’t heard anybody put the knock on the Lyra Kleos, other than its demanding of a precise set up. I will have a VPI dealer set it up though, who sounds proficient in doing so. It’s less expensive than the Hana Umami Red enough I could get it with the VPI dual pivot mod for the same money as the Umami.

If Soundsmith doesn’t come up with a convincing reply explaining that "The Voice" works well with the VPI JMW 10.5i, I’d say the Lyra Kleos is the front runner at this juncture. I’m still not sure what it’s availability might be though. Might end up on a waiting list.

Mike

I second the VPI tonearm horrible characteristics.

Don’t waste your time and money with VPI unipivot, not worth the fishing line that uses for anti skating.

I love the Umami, specially at its price.

Astolfor, what is it you like about the Umami?. Have you ever had a chance to listen to a Kleos to compare? That information would be helpful. Debating the unipivot is an issue for another time, since getting both a new cartridge and a new tonearm is out of the question budget-wise .

Mike

I have a Sound-Smith Paua II mounted on a VPI JMW Memorial uni-pivot arm ( Prime Signature) and love it. The Paua is in your price range. Don't know why no one has mentioned it. And what's so bad about the uni-pivot arm? It may appear "unstable" but it tracks flawlessly.