Post by jon on Dec 7, 2019 7:43:58 GMT 12
Hi This thread is to audition the Hana ML in my system. The system consists of: Lenco PTP in slate Origin Live Illustrious His Master's Noise Phono Stage Audio Note M3 line preamp (modded) Behringer CX3400 (modified) 3 X Topping 80w amps World Audio Design KLS3 Mark 3 Interconnects: Self-built IBM Type 6 cable with WBT connectors Speaker Cables: Self Built TNT tripleT with WBT connectors. Setup tools Feickert Universal Protractor Stylus Force Gauge Additional Tools as supplied with the cartridge Oodles of time to set up, I took 90 minutes to set up (not my carts, they are on approval, caution required - you know the drill) For the set up, the most irritating thing was setting the correct tracking weight as my tonearm weight obstinately had a mind of its own as to where it wanted to be, it would either move lots or not at all. Took me an hour to get the correct VTF. Their must be a better method... Sigh 
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Post by jon on Dec 7, 2019 7:44:36 GMT 12
The Hana, as supplied by Simon Brown of designbuildlisten.com/, came in a small black box!  So on opening it, I ended up with some tools, an instruction leaflet and of course, the cartridge box.  Smart, simple and minimalist. The instruction leaflet had all the technical details I required including cartridge dimensions (important as I'd need to raise my arm by 1.6mm to accommodate the increased size. I took the decision to go with the recommended tracking weight of 2.0grammes, which was, as noted, painful to do with the arm. Finally I had her mounted and set up correctly. The Feickert protractor made setting the cart to the Baerwald alignment really easy. So here she is mounted.  I shall blame my camera for any weird looking pictures... I know the cartridge is set up correctly, however I shall be detailing my selection of test records next.
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Post by jon on Dec 7, 2019 8:50:35 GMT 12
So here is my selection of records I will be playing on both cartridges. I reserve the right to change this... and add in extras (but, of course!). Eartha Kitt Mono record, will be a test of the left/right balance (is the image off?) as well as being a fantastic record.  Dvorak Wind Serenade Side 2 here, and I'd like to hear (if possible) the embouchure of the players, does the bassoonist double tongue? What does the double bass sound like?  Fat Freddy's Drop Bass test, side 1 track 1 is an exemplar here.  Perfume Genius Dynamic range, side 1 track 1 has very quiet passages interspersed with thunderous chords  Rodrigo y Gabriela How to play fast...  John Coltrane 'Cause I love this album 
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 7, 2019 10:47:25 GMT 12
For the set up, the most irritating thing was setting the correct tracking weight as my tonearm weight obstinately had a mind of its own as to where it wanted to be, it would either move lots or not at all. Took me an hour to get the correct VTF. Their must be a better method... Sigh If I strike that problem & I'm doing a quick audition setup, I often resort to a sm bit of the ol' Blutak for say the final 0.5 gm VTF.
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Post by jon on Dec 8, 2019 20:55:50 GMT 12
Knowing me, it would mean my tonearm would end up looking as though it had a bad case of the measles 
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Post by jon on Dec 9, 2019 8:20:44 GMT 12
There’s been lots written about the Hana ML and by better reviewers than myself, so what follows is my view on the cart in the context of my system and the Denon 103.
I’ll open with the fact that the Hana ML picked up the Denon 103 and blew it away in terms of performance and musicality – as it should, given the price differential.
I put Eartha Kitt on first as a test. In this recording (1956) she was 29 and at the height of her vocal powers and that came across superbly! What was also clear was the large improvement in sound quality that had happened; the image was dead centre across my speakers and her voice was clearly audible and projected well.
Dvorak’s Wind Serenade was also good, all the wind instruments were very clear with ample evidence of articulation and single and double tonguing. What impressed most was that the double bass was very raspy, I could clearly here the bow being dragged across the strings.
There was also an odd effect which puzzled me too, the music had slowed. This ‘slowing’ of the music was present in all pieces and got me so worried I checked the table speed only to find it was correct.
Intrigued I cued up the Rodrigo y Gabriela and was stunned! The 103 had done a credible job of reproducing the recording but after listening to the ML I realised that it felt rushed and the notes were blurred into each other. With the ML the notes where much more clearly defined, meaning that the transients were very much clearer! The result was that the pieces I was hearing slowed down as a result of this clarity – in my opinion that is a good thing.
The double bass in the Wind Serenade had clued me into the bass reproduction and what better piece to play than Fat Freddy’s Drop Dr Boondigga, especially track one BIG_BW. Here you can very clearly hear the bass guitarist sliding up the frets. The resulting bass slide was held for longer and tailed off well with the ML. I will confess to turning this up a lot from my usual ‘loud’ setting to ‘very loud’, the results were stupendous.
I turned eventually to considering dynamic range and the best exemplar of this, barring Classical Orchestral pieces of which I have many, is Perfumed Genius No Shape. The track ‘Other Side’ has a lot of very delicate work interspersed with thunderous chords, the ML performed fantastically reproducing these chords with aplomb.
I won’t mention the Coltrane however if you do not have a copy of this fantastic album you should correct that error and play it on your ML.
Summary
This is an amazing cartridge, beautifully articulate, capable of playing everything well and as stated has blown the Denon 103 away.
I love the way that the transients were dealt with, fast, clear and crisp leading to greater insight into the music. It’s a beautiful cartridge.
I’ll close by saying this is a must have in your system, you will not regret it.
Vendor Comments
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Jon!
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 9, 2019 8:50:05 GMT 12
That's thoroughly good information, jon. I think that a lot here is to do with the specs of these cartridges. I won't say it's an unfair comparison (actually it is), but the Hana ML sports a 'microline' stylus & 1/5 the coil impedance (ie. much lower coil mass) than the 103. Whereas the 103 famously wears only a spherical/cnnical stylus. So, IME, you should expect to hear the ML produce not only the treble extension that the 103 can't do, but also beautiful HF tone, resolution & micro-dynamics that quality low output MCs are known for. However, if I understand correctly, they both share the old-school AlNiCo magnet type, which is rare these days. The EAT Jo No.5 should put up more of a fight.
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Post by cooksferry on Dec 9, 2019 9:12:42 GMT 12
That's thoroughly good information, jon . I think that a lot here is to do with the specs of these cartridges. I won't say it's an unfair comparison (actually it is), but the Hana ML sports a 'microline' stylus & 1/5 the coil impedance (ie. much lower coil mass) than the 103. Whereas the 103 famously wears only a spherical/cnnical stylus. So, IME, you should expect to hear the ML produce not only the treble extension that the 103 can't do, but also beautiful HF tone, resolution & micro-dynamics that quality low output MCs are known for. However, if I understand correctly, they both share the old-school AlNiCo magnet type, which is rare these days. The EAT Jo No.5 should put up more of a fight. Quite interested in how the EAT goes against the Hana. Almost went for that but circumstances dictated a little fiscal responsibility so the Hana won out. No regrets though.
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Pundit
Post by simonb on Dec 9, 2019 9:47:10 GMT 12
I agree it is an unfair comparison. The Hana 'should' be better as it is several times the price. But it is a tribute to the DL103 that it's generous musicality makes it worthy of inclusion in the discussion. I also will be interested in the EAT, it shouldn't be a matter of better or worse but 'flavour'. The Dynavector would have been different again, it's reputation is for speed and dynamics.
Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges
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Post by cooksferry on Dec 10, 2019 6:32:08 GMT 12
The Dynavector would have been different again, it's reputation is for speed and dynamics. I have both the ML and XX2 currently setup on my TT. Shame there's not some one to hand with better ears to do a comparison.
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 10, 2019 9:08:52 GMT 12
cooksferry - I'm sure that you can readily form an opinion on the performance of these cartridges (any cartridges I expert) using your deep knowledge of your music, artists & extensive collection.
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