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Observations - Trying to audition a Hana cartridge before buying

I am looking forward to buying a Hana SL MK II.  I want to listen to it before I purchase.

Called Dealer 1, 10 miles away.  We have a turntable with Hana Red.  The preamp is a $ 125,000 model.  It will likely not demonstrate anything close to what you are looking for.  We can order but not demo.

Called Dealer 2, 50 miles away.  I am a Hana dealer, but I have no Hana cartridges for demo.  We can order.

Called Dealer 3, 100 miles away.  We have ML and Blue for demo.  Not the model SL MkII.  We are open Monday to Friday only until 5.30 PM.  We can order.

Dealer 4, 30 to 70 miles away, multiple stores.  We sell, but have no Hana on demo.  We can order.

Called Dealer 5, 50 miles away.  Don’t have Hana for demo.  I will send you a list of the Hana cartridges we have in stock, versus those we need to order.

I called USA Importer and shared my story, they offered to call around to dealers to find out which dealer may have one for demo, recognizing I would have to travel there to be able to audition.

I am curious as to other Audiogoner’s experience.  Is it this hard to get a demo?  Maybe too many brands and too many models for dealers to demo.

dcaudio
faustuss's avatar
faustuss
832 posts
 

@dcaudio 

Its very important to know what turntable you have and the tonearm you're going to use your new cartridge with. Without these important criteria there's no way to know if the Hana is going to be a good choice.

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand
1,394 posts
 

I had the same issue trying to audition any DS Audio cartridge in Australia.  Most dealers can order one, but having one in stock?  Let alone for a demonstration.

I wrote to the distributor seeking their advice on who in Sydney or Canberra might have stock.

They replied with an offer to purchase from them, with at least a six week wait for delivery.

It was worth the wait, but a bit of an expensive gamble angry

faustuss's avatar
faustuss
832 posts
 

@dcaudio 

I found your turntable criteria on another post you made today. Funny you guys can’t consolidate your inquiries into a single post but have to spread them all over the place in addition to not filling out your profile.

Anyway, it appears whatever flavor of the day tonearm you have on an Oracle Delphi will accommodate any cartridge weight you want to put on it, but I believe it’s compliance will be critical.

 

cleeds
6,590 posts
 

audphile1

I never said you cab return a mangled cartridge to TMR for a full refund.

I never suggested otherwise. I simply noted that TMR isn't obligated to issue any refund at all on a used cartridge. It's the same with Music Direct:

Non-defective opened cartridge exchanges are only accepted at Music Direct's discretion as a customer accommodation. Multiple cartridge exchanges will not be allowed.

inagroove
265 posts
 

I am using a an ML, with ~2500 hours of play over two years (evaluating a large LP, very clean collection).  Playing Relayer, by YES, this morning - great sound.

As cartridges go, the Hana line-up is VERY well vetted. I expect the reason dealers do not demo ALL of the Hana line is that Hana carts reputations are so solid - would you really need a demo if you were buying a Ford F-150 pick up?

IMO - as long as the cart complies with your tonearm and phono preamp specs, give it a try.  Learn from experience and get comfortable with the fact that carts are semi-consumable components.  

If it helps, Hana has a great return policy (2 years for manufacturing defects) as well as a generous trade-in policy.  I have no affiliation, and I have a Hana Red in the box just waiting for installation...

The good news is there are LOTS of great carts out there to try.

Good luck...

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