Synergy

@rvpiano 

the clearaudio is a decent cartridge and i suspect the soundsmith retip and cantilever (ruby?) gave it a performance boost.  

however the hana should be competitive.  could the difference be that your phono preamp is better suited to MM cartridges?   could it lack the gain and loading adjustments needed to make the hana really sing? 

@rvpiano 

The Maestro is an excellent cartridge and build quality is beyond reproach ,  I do not think it is a big enough upgrade to justify the expense. I think you should wait a bit longer and shoot higher up. I have owned a Charisma. It is very dynamic, great for rock, but it has a dark character with a slightly recessed treble. The Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC is the same price and a better cartridge. It tracks better is more neutral and just as dynamic. It is also much less expensive to rebuild. If you require a high output cartridge the Soundsmith Voice is the one to go for. The Nagaoka MP500 and Goldring 1042 get honorable mentions. 

@rauliruegas 

When I went digital, everything including the turntable was processed digitally. The only thing added since then (1995) was digital RIAA correction. 

Living is learning and as you move along the audio evolutionary curve you learn about component interactions and problems you did not expect that require solutions. 

My main speakers will be bi amped not tri amped. This allows me to get rid of the RC network between the two transformers and use an amp that will handle the very low impedance of ESLs at high frequencies. I know of no better amp to drive the midbass and midrange of ESLs than the Atma-Sphere MA 2s. They are capable of putting more power into ESLs at those frequencies than any other amp. The problem is they have an output impedance of 1.7 ohms and the ESLs drop well below that at high frequencies thus the high frequencies roll of after 12 kHz. It is a very popular combination usually only affordable by older gentlemen that have already lost their hearing above that frequency. Only solid state amps have the ultra low output impedances that will drive ESLs at high frequencies effectively, thus the odd combination.  

You may have arrived at your destination. I am still enjoying the trip.

@avanti1960 

I know the Hana is very highly regarded.  I think that I might have messed up the original setup by the technician, causing a drop in performance.

@mijostyn 

The SoundSmith sounds very good. However I’m a little concerned about the low output.  I know I can boost it with my phon, but  I think I would prefer a higher output.