phono stage help please.


So my Schiid Mani 2 blow up and took my power amp along. 

Fortunately in case of amp it ended on replacing main fuse not so bad deal.

Anyhow Mani 2 is out of picture and I'm looking for suggestions, I'm debating Pass Labs Alph Ono or XP-15 as phono stage. For now I'm running Ortofon 2M Black cartridge in my VP! 1 classic but I'm thinking of replacing it with Hana ML. rest of my system is JBL 4367, Threshold T2 preamp and Threshold S550e power amp. What would be the best configuration for Progressive rock and Electronic ?

Guys I'm open for suggestions but I would like to stay within Pass products new or vintage. Also if anyone can explain me why Hana ML low output is superior to high output cartridge?

 

Cheers 

128x128ssg308

Pass Labs are a Company that embrace Tech’ as it becomes available that will offer new sonic.

The Company will reconfigure Topology and Circuit Design to exploit design changes. The swapping of a component only is not typical for a new product range.

Pass is not adverse to Circuit Board Tweaks, NP is active in the DIY community offering advisories on such matters.

There are a few DIY Phonostage Designs on DIY Audio that are known to punch well above their weight in relation to pricing.

I have been demo’d one SS Design with a BOM of approx’ £800 where it is commission built for less than £2K hold its own next to £10K retail.

From my personal experience. I had Ortofon 2M Black and moved to Hana MH then to Hana ML. Found Ortofon having more aggressive sonic signature than Hanas being more relaxed and mellow. ML seems to be able to pull out slightly more miniscule details from recording than MH. So, maybe for progressive rock and elecronic music Hanna might be too mellow. 

I also had Mani and now enjoying QHW Vinyl, see Framer' review: 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pass phono stages are excellent, but you should really look at the very highly rated Channel D Lino C. Stereophile has it as an A+ component. If you are a rock fan and you like your dynamics I would stick with the Ortofon. If you want a higher level of performance look at the Soundsmith Voice. It takes a $10,000 MC cartridge to outrun it.