Which of these two tonearm cables?

[good_enough]

Trade in assumes the cartridge is intact I guess??

Nope - some are condition immaterial, including Hana's, and some don't care if you are the second owner. Google is your friend.

TL;DR:

Yup, on an MC you replace the whole cart not just the stylus. Whether this is a material difference depends on whether the MC brand you buy supports 'new for old' trade-in, cos the cost of a MM stylus is high. It's not material for a Hana.

 

[Al ears]

Nope - some are condition immaterial, including Hana's, and some don't care if you are the second owner. Google is your friend.

TL;DR:

Yup, on an MC you replace the whole cart not just the stylus. Whether this is a material difference depends on whether the MC brand you buy supports 'new for old' trade-in, cos the cost of a MM stylus is high. It's not material for a Hana.

I certainly hope you are correct.
One assumes if quite damaged you are not going to get much of a trade in price.

 

[miksko]

Hmm there's plenty of headroom beyond the 2500 I would suggest, including line contact designs and HOMC like my (superb) Hana SH, that don't need a new pre-amp.

FWIW I find stereophile.com a better source for vinyl related recommendations than WHF as they appear to take matters at least half seriously.

Hello again.
Here's a late reply to your posting: I've recently discovered the Hana SH and I agree that is a tempting cartridge. So is also some of Nagaoka's models, which implements the "moving iron" technique -- same as the Goldring 2500 -- which means a lower mass than "moving magnet". Most of Nagaoka's styluses are eliptical though and I would prefer a microline stylus. I'll see what happens when it is time to replace the current stylus.

The disadvantage with the Hana SH is of course that it's not possible to replace the stylus, since it's a moving coil. (I've recently learned that there are companies which re-tip MC cartridges, but I'm pretty sure that would mean I'd had to send it abroad.)

 

[miksko]

I can now respond with some experiences from replacing the turntable cable.

I finally went for the Chord Shawline X with an angled DIN connector. I use the same cable model between my amplifier and loudspeakers and am very pleased with the way it opens up the sound. (If you have the budget for it, I would also recommend you try the Tellurium Q Ultra Black II, which is a brand I have very good experiences of.)

The new phono cable changed the sound stage, so I had to move one of the loudspeakers a little. (The manufacturer had forwarned me about this as a common effect of new cables.) At first I found the sound to be a bit hard (particularly the trebble) but it became softer after some hours of playing.

The remaining differences are these:

• The trebble and bass have become more distinct and precise; also in the inner tracks.
• The mid- and high ranges have become more "delicate".
• Less rumble and noice from scratches.

 

[good_enough]

Hello again.
Here's a late reply to your posting: I've recently discovered the Hana SH and I agree that is a tempting cartridge. So is also some of Nagaoka's models, which implements the "moving iron" technique -- same as the Goldring 2500 -- which means a lower mass than "moving magnet". Most of Nagaoka's styluses are eliptical though and I would prefer a microline stylus. I'll see what happens when it is time to replace the current stylus.

The disadvantage with the Hana SH is of course that it's not possible to replace the stylus, since it's a moving coil. (I've recently learned that there are companies which re-tip MC cartridges, but I'm pretty sure that would mean I'd had to send it abroad.)

As i have commented on another thread, Hana do a new for old trade in. When you look at the percentage of the purchase price that you have to spend on a new stylus for a MM, the difference compared to the Hana trade in is not worth worrying about.

At the moment there's a bet to be made that a SH purchase might get you a N4O on the mk2 when yours eventually gives up the ghost, which may be neat as the SH 2 shares its suspension with the MH and ML and early reports are that it's an upgrade (the Hana scheme doesn't allow a trade in for an upgrade).

 

[good_enough]

As i have commented on another thread, Hana do a new for old trade in. When you look at the percentage of the purchase price that you have to spend on a new stylus for a MM, the difference compared to the Hana trade in is not worth worrying about.

At the moment there's a bet to be made that a SH purchase might get you a N4O on the mk2 when yours eventually gives up the ghost, which may be neat as the SH 2 shares its suspension with the MH and ML and early reports are that it's an upgrade (the Hana scheme doesn't allow a trade in for an upgrade).

BTW wrote this while listening to an old favourite, Tortelier's Bach suites. It would be incorrect to say it sounded 'in the room'. Rather, I closed my eyes and was in the room it was recorded in. Slightest of overhangs said it was small. Think chapel rather than cathedral, with a full audience, and I was about five rows back. (Yes it probably was a well damped studio, but i can dream.) The Hana can still evoke astonishment at the detail and imaging, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.