2. analog
  3. 175931-4306

Cartridge upgrade????

Ok so finally I am at a good place with my Kuzma Stab S-12 using a wonderful Hana SL cartridge fed into Bent Audi Sut to Sutherland PHd3...into my amplifier. I think it really sounds good but got an itch to maybe upgrade to a higher end MC cartridge.

I was considering the Air-Tight PC 7 but not really sure if it is worth it to spend all the $$, or maybe an Ortofon Cadenza  or????

Anyone have experience moving up from the Hana SL, and if so may I ask to what? No need to do it in a hurry but thinking that maybe this would be a good path, and mostly I am listening to jazz...lots of horns and small trios.

 

thank you all in advance....

 

 

rwanda
drbond
418 posts
 

@rwanda 

 

I'm a neophyte with respect to vinyl / analog, but I've listened to 5 different cartridges in the past 6 months, on two different turntables, and I can say that it's definitely worth it to upgrade the cartridge, to the extent that you can benefit from it in your set up (how much resolution can your system reproduce?)  

I've personally really enjoyed the Linn Krystal, the Koetsu Rosewood, the Koetsu Urushi Black, and the Lyra Atlas.  In my limited experience, the Koetsu are very good tonally, but not the best with respect to detail; whereas the Linn and Lyra are very detail oriented. 

rwanda OP
67 posts
 

Does anyone have experience with the Ikeda 9TS?

Trying to figure out what style tip it has, looks like elliptical but not sure?

I am leaning towards this one but need some further information I think...

rwanda OP
67 posts
 

Ok today I finally got the Airtight PC-7 mount and set up with the help of a friend (Linn specialist). I upgraded my phono stage to Modwright 9.0 and while it was lovely with the Hana the Airtight is in another league......quite happy with this changeover.

Mostly I listen to jazz, and have everything from older first pressings to modern Tone Poet Series....and one thing for sure....surface noise is much less thatn with the Hana.

Thanks to all for your inout and enjoy all your listening.

More to discover