[mhconley]

I currently have the following vinyl playback setup:

• Cambridge Audio Duo MC/MM phono preamp
• Opera Consonance LP2.0 turntable
• Mørch UP4 red tonearm
• Grado Reference Sonata cartridge

My cartridge is about 11 years old, was originally $600 and could probably use a retip. It'll cost $400 to trade in the cartridge for a new one from Grado, $300 to retip with the recommended 2x7 nude ellipsoid elliptical on a titanium cantilever by cartridge_retipping-5 on eBay, or $200-450 for a retipping through Soundsmith.

I am also looking at Hana EL/EH or SL/SH cartridges. The E series is $475 and the S series is $750.

I am kind of leaning toward the Hana SL. Is there $275 worth of difference between the Hana EL and SL?

Which option would you recommend and why?

Thanks,
Martin

[Photon46]

One thing to consider is that your phono preamp might be a limiting factor when switching to a low output moving coil ( I believe your current Grado has a 5 mv output.) I see in the Audio Science review of the Cambridge that the noise level is 20 db higher in the moving coil mode.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-cambridge-audio-duo-phono-preamp.6901/

[S Clark]

On the older Cambridge phono pre, it paid to replace caps and op amps with upgrades.  After improvement, I'd put it close to a Vista I phono pre.
Perhaps the newer Cambridge could be improved as well?? 

[mhconley]

One thing to consider is that your phono preamp might be a limiting factor when switching to a low output moving coil ( I believe your current Grado has a 5 mv output.) I see in the Audio Science review of the Cambridge that the noise level is 20 db higher in the moving coil mode.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-cambridge-audio-duo-phono-preamp.6901/

The Hana low versions are only 0.5mV while the highs are 2.0mV, and, yes, the Sonata is 5.0mV. I’ve always liked the sound of the Grado so perhaps retipping is the right choice.

Martin

[mhconley]

Assuming I retip my Grado Reference Sonata which choice do you recommend?

• $400 to trade in the cartridge for a new one from Grado
• $300 to retip with a 2x7 nude ellipsoid elliptical on a titanium cantilever by cartridge_retipping-5 on eBay
• $200-450 for a retip through Soundsmith (Which one?)

Thanks,
Martin

[Photon46]

Design improvements have been made to the second version Grados they introduced a few years ago. I'd definitely go with a new one.

[andyr]

I agree with Photon46.   

And when you've installed the new cart - buy a 'clicker' so you can keep track of the no. of sides you've played!   

Andy

[rollo]

 Hana is a VG cart. However does not have the bass and midrange of a Grado. Step up to a better Grado.


charles

[mhconley]

Thanks for the advice. Since I love the sound of my Grado Reference Sonata I have decided to trade-in for a new Grado Reference Sonata 2.

Martin

[rollo]

Thanks for the advice. Since I love the sound of my Grado Reference Sonata I have decided to trade-in for a new Grado Reference Sonata 2.

Martin

 Smart decision. ENJOY !!!

charles

[mhconley]

A $22 Amazon purchased just saved me $450.





Looks like my old stylus is fine.

Martin

[andyr]

A $22 Amazon purchased just saved me $450.

Looks like my old stylus is fine.

Martin

Eeeerrrrgggghhh, no - sorry, but your pics do not show whether your stylus is dangerously worn or not.

USB microscopes are great for telling you whether the stylus needs a good clean but, unless you:
* have a 200x one,
* with great lighting
* and you've got lots of experience looking at styli

... you will not understand what you're looking at, to make a correct judgement on wear.

Andy

[Photon46]

Eeeerrrrgggghhh, no - sorry, but your pics do not show whether your stylus is dangerously worn or not.

USB microscopes are great for telling you whether the stylus needs a good clean but, unless you:
* have a 200x one,
* with great lighting
* and you've got lots of experience looking at styli

... you will not understand what you're looking at, to make a corret judgement on wear.

Andy

Don't forget the one other thing an inexpensive USB scope is good for: helping to set up your SRA @ 92º.

[mhconley]

Eeeerrrrgggghhh, no - sorry, but your pics do not show whether your stylus is dangerously worn or not.

USB microscopes are great for telling you whether the stylus needs a good clean but, unless you:
* have a 200x one,
* with great lighting
* and you've got lots of experience looking at styli

... you will not understand what you're looking at, to make a corret judgement on wear.

Andy

This thing will go to 1000x. I’ll take some 200x photos. What am I looking for?

I thought a nice sharp point was the sign of a good stylus. 

Martin

[toocool4]

This thing will go to 1000x.

1000x at $22? i don't think so.

[andyr]

Don't forget the one other thing an inexpensive USB scope is good for: helping to set up your SRA @ 92º.

Correct!  It's most important use!   

Andy

[andyr]

This thing will go to 1000x. I’ll take some 200x photos. What am I looking for?

I thought a nice sharp point was the sign of a good stylus. 

Martin

Here's a x60 pic I took of my newly re-tipped Stanton 'WOS' CS100:



That's a new stylus.  With a worn stylus - if the lighting was right - you'd see some flat planes developing, either side just below the tip.

In your case, your stylus looks so worn that you have a narrow remnant of the original stylus projecting past the end of the shank which is attached to the cantilever.

Andy

[S Clark]

Agree that it looks badly worn.  Why not send it off for evaluation?  Steve Lueng at VAS will give you a quick evaluation and fair price. 

[brianmch]

VAS?

I've got a couple carts that could probably use new styli on. 

TIA

[mick wolfe]

Agree that it looks badly worn.  Why not send it off for evaluation?  Steve Lueng at VAS will give you a quick evaluation and fair price.

Steve ( VAS )did a great job of retipping my Zu Denon 103.  He also inspected and cleaned a Zu 103R and gave it a clean bill of health for continued use.