Hana Umami Black

@macg19 The Master Innovation is a pretty massive upgrade (from Innovation Wood I had). It improves everything, especially bass control and refinement, soundstage (bigger, broader, more realistic), dynamics, and ability to resolve detail.

I have it on a HRS M3X2 isolation base, and that in turn sits on a HRS EXR rack. I wouldn't want to use anything less capable, at least for the isolation base.

It is a PITA in that it's heavy (145 lbs including my three tonearms and arm boards, center weight and outer ring). I have to take it apart to move it. 

It's definitely a imposing look. I think it's really cool though, especially in black/piano black that I have.

@dwette Thanks for the insight. 

I've seen the black/piano Master and it does look cool.

My local dealer has a Statement in the showroom. It redefines imposing.

Did you sell/trade the Innovation for the Master or buy the upgrade kit?  

@macg19 I was going to buy the field upgrade kit (about $20k) but my dealer made me a great trade-in offer for my Innovation Wood and I got a completely new Master Innovation. The tonearms weren't part of the deal. I kept the two I already had and bought a third arm (since the MI supports 3 tonearms).

This appears to be the cantilever part they’re using (includes MR stylus), from Orbray / Namiki:
https://orbray.com/en/product/jewel/product/shop_diamond_microridge.html

Costs $2500 for 1 pc, but the price comes down quite a bit in quantity. This part is also exactly what the Koetsu diamond cantilevers look like under magnification. Koetsu must have specified a different stylus (their usual), but this looks like the cantilever part maker. Here’s my Coralstone circa 2018. It’s a lil sloppier of an attachment than my Blue Lace lol

Did you sell/trade the Innovation for the Master or buy the upgrade kit?  

I don’t know anyone who did the upgrade. With secondary markets and dealer trade-ins, there’s no real price incentive to do an upgrade kit. I had an Innovation Wood and did a "sort of" trade in with my dealer for their demo Master. "Upgradeable" turntables can be a big selling point but they fall flat in practice. 

@mulveling My original plan was to do the upgrade. However I have the Piano Black version, and Musical Surroundings wanted to make sure I had well-matched plinths so they worked with my dealer to offer a trade for a new retail unit of the MI, and it didn't cost me more either. I guess it pays to be a good and repeat customer over the years.

I now have three tonearms on my MI: two 12" Universal and a now a Tracer in addition.