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Hana SL or ML?

I am currently running a Hana EL cartridge with an Acoustic Solid turntable and Jelco tonearm. Phono stage is Sim Audio. I am wondering whether to go to SL from EL or go up to ML directly. 

Anyone had experience running both SL and ML carts here? Going to ML, is that significantly better than the SL?

Thanks in advance! 
sim_audio_nerd

Showing 2 responses by mekong56

mekong56
137 posts
 
I have gone from the Hana ML to the SL on a Clearaudio Performance DC. I have what I consider a pretty revealing system downstream and I heard a clear difference. I really liked the SL but the ML improves everything the SL does well and makes it better. More refined, better detail, separation, and frequency extremes. Bass was clearly better. If your budget allows for it and your system is revealing enough you should hear a difference IMO, at least I did. To what degree will be the question, and it will be system dependent as will all things like this. It's hard with cartridges to demo both on the table you have, but luckily I was able to do that at my dealer before I pulled the trigger on the ML.

To me it's worth the extra $450 at buy in, or trade up (that's what I did). 
mekong56
137 posts
 
chakster -
I'm going off memory, but believe I was given a $300 or $350 credit towards the M when I traded up from the S. I thought that was pretty good, and I don't particularly like buying or selling used cartridges. 

I have no idea how they handle a re-tip or repairs if they are needed. I have no personal experience with that.
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