When my Lyra Delos started to sound a little grotty, I replaced it.with a Hana ML. I used my Denneson Soundtractor alignment tool to mount it. It wasn't very much trouble as the Hana's body is nicely rectangular. I mounted it on my old but still willing Alphason arm. The Hana cartridges all want two grams stylus pressure, and it's an easy number to home in on. It sounded lovely from the very first time I dropped it onto a record groove, and it continued to improve over the ensuing couple weeks. I'm a happy guy. It sounds beautiful and it tracks at least as good as the Lyra did in its salad days.
How to choose a cartridge?
Aside from compliance, and whether one has enough gain and loading options, how does one choose a cartirdge?
There are a few shops that have one or two brands, and other shops that have other brands… etc.
It is a either visiting a lot of shops, or using some other method.
I have seen a few plots of response and 2nd, 3rd harmonics for a limited number of carts.
The other method is scouring the reviews and digest the colourful wording used to describe the carts.
As an example I am considering:
- SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC Star
- AT ART9xi
- Benz Micro LP S
- Hana ML
- and some others…
Does one just flip a coin?