Kiseki Purpleheart

+1 @mijostyn

Of all the cartridges mentioned here, and there is not a klinker in the lot

The differences between the carts mentioned is mostly preference rather than performance.

Based on my research rather than direct experience:

Ortofon Cadenza Bronze - is likely the most used cart at audio shows - likely meaning it's a great all round performer at it's price point.

Hana are high value cartridges line built by many highly experience relatively large handcrafted established company who also manufactures some of the very best carts in other product lines.

Purple Heart - IIRC is also a high value cart that competes with Koetsu per frugal VPI founder Harry Weisfeld

Lyra Kleos seems to be neutral, detailed, fast, and maybe quiet

Soundsmith - cheapest cartridge retipping at ~20% cost of new.  Paua seems musical.  Founder and President Peter Ledermann extremely knowledgeable and friendly.  

The original Prime turntable redefined and polished with a new fit and finish and improved performance. Upgraded with HW-40 feet, 3D Gimbal tonearm, and new machined top plate with additional bracing and isolation. The Prime 21 @color tunnel is bringing 2021 in on a high note. 

I am a Ortofon user and have a experience of listening to a variety of Ortofon Designs released since the early 00's.

With the most recent models released having elevated prices and not any Trickle Down Ranges being produced at present. I have looked towards Japan.

The Mutech Hayabusa and MSL Cart's are on Shortlist to receive demo's off.

Recently I read the review in the attachment, and have come away with the impression, this might be a very suitable replacement for a Ortofon, especially with the asking price for this model.

 https://trackingangle.com/equipment/hanna-umami-blue-cartridge-review

Bargain hunters versus connoisseurs. The first mentioned look at the price

the second for ''the master'' who made them. Say Ikeda-san, Takeda-san,

(Jan) Allaers, Reto Andreoli, J.Carr , etc. Those which are rarely offered for sell.

This is the indication that the owners are not willing to part from them.

They do not ask for price but use the opportunity to ''grab'' the wanted one.

I for example (sic!) was waiting for two years to find  Ikeda's REX ,  his

latest cantileverless kind. What is common to them all is ''made by the

master himself''. One can see, for example, many Van den Hul's for sell.

But nobady is sure if the ''master himself'' made them. Nobody even

knows how many employee he has,

And regarding new Kiseki's one can see that many are offered second

hand. I owned all of the old and still own 4 kinds. The difference can

be seen in the used parts. The old used Dynavector parts the new

unknown kind. Anyway the old sound much better than the new .

I am sure that Raul has never heard any new Kiseki otherwise

he would not recommend the new  purpleheart.

Dear nandric, it's ironic that the quality control issues that apparently plague current Kisekis was the reason for Van den Dungen to start the original Kiseki back in the 70's. The story goes that the Koetsus of the day - which he distributed in the Netherlands - had wildly inconsistent sound quality from sample to sample. So he decided to release an 'alternative' for his customers. These 'original' Kiseki disappeared again in the late '80 but had become as famous as Koetsu. There was an intentional lack of information about its 'maker', although it has been confirmed they were built in Japan (Dynavector or Kondo were the most likely candidates). It's unknown to me who makes the current Kisekis, but I agree with you that they sound nowhere near the originals.

As for Van den Hul, I have it on good authority that AJ is the only one building the 'open' systems like Colibri and Condor. For the more 'budget' priced models like the Frog and MC-10 I'm not sure. How long he will be able to continue is anybody's guess, but a recent interview with AJ in a Dutch magazine introduced both his sons as his successors. The oldest is handling the business side, while the youngest is being tutored by the master to become the cartridge builder and designer.