Yamamoto HSA-01 headshell/head amp

Here is my report on the Yamamoto HSA-01 self-amplifying headshell, used so far only with the Ortofon MC2000: Don’t do it. There is too much hiss or white noise at SPLs even below satisfactory. I suspect this may be because Yamamoto says in the fine print that the device is to be used with cartridges having at least a 0.1mV output at 1kHz at standard velocity. As the cognoscenti may know, the MC2000 does not meet this criterion; its output is only .05mV at the above conditions. Sound quality is very good, but the hiss is unacceptable and would be so to any of us. When I get around to it, I will mount some other higher output LOMC cartridges in the HSA-01, to see whether my hypothesis is correct, that the MC2000 output cannot adequately drive the op amp in the HSA-01. In case you are wondering, I did replace the OEM battery in the HSA-01 empirically, on the premise that it may be worn down just due to aging on the shelf before purchase. Indeed, my measurements of the OEM battery suggest that was worth doing, but to no avail as far as performance with the MC2000. C’est la vie.

@lewm Sorry to hear the experiment did not work out. But fortunately you have a combination of equipment that allows you to enjoy the cartridge. The MC2000 is unique in the challenges it presents, but the beauty of the cartridge is quite the experience even today. Yes, other cartridges may technically have surpassed it, but there is a refinement and gracefulness to the upper registers that few cartridges can equal. The bottom end definition is quite a treat also. I am fortunate that the T2000 transformer and Esoteric E-03 phono stage work well together and the noise floor I have is quite low. I do have to give an extra twist to the volume control, but the system noise is not noticeable unless you stand right on top of the speakers and turn things up to where a low bit of noise leaks through. When listening to music it is essentially a black background. I don’t know if I can ever divorce this cartridge, as it is just too compelling. I always enjoy reading about your experiences with it.

With Dave Slagle’s head amp driving the MM stage of my Silvaweld phono, there is no problem at all, and it sounds great. With my modified MP1 and with the 3160, I get good results but with a very slight sense of strain. On LPs with inherently high gain and low noise, those two work fine. I wouldn’t be putting in the effort if I didn’t also feel that the MC2000 is special.