MC cartridge for Clearaudio Concept 1600$

@macg19 I understand. I have good PS I think, Hegel V10, I didn’t try it with MC yet, but I’ve never heared something bad about this PS. In reserve I also have PhaseTech EA-3, just now I can’t use it because it’s in another country, but I’ll bring it someday. PhaseTech do not have any adjustments and do not suit my system’s look but who knows.

I read thet Umami Blue is better than ML in terms of accuracy, detail, etc. But it is less "analog". ML is not a precision cartridge but sounds more like vinyl they say. This is what I need more, because it is rather difficult to get that analog sound from my system. So I have doughts about should I buy more expensive cart if I’ll loose this attribute.

@iad Only so much can be done in making a 100% digital recording sound more analog. The issue/barrier is the preferred music choices not the various phono cartridges.

I have a Clearaudio Performance DC with Tracer tonearm. I use a Hana ML. My phono preamp is a Modwright PH 9.0XT. My amp is a Modwright KWH 225i integrated, with a triode front-end and a solid state output stage.

I find the combination "alive" but forgiving. There's plenty of energy and bass is taut and extended, yet I don't have any fatiguing or shrill highs. I haven't felt the need to pursue anything else in the 15 months I've had the ML.

Setup is important to get right, and I heard a MAJOR difference when I finally got it that way. Arm pivot height was key for me, as was tracking force. I use the 100 ohm setting on the phono stage for resistance load with the ML.

Best wishes!

@zuman Hi! If you are saying that you use this cartridge in a system of such level that means a lot! Thank you!

Sumiko Starling was very impressive.