Cartridge advice

[joralieu]

Got rid of my Denon DL-S1 as it was deemed incompatible with the Eros 2. Am using an Audio Technical VM95e for now. I am Looking at the Ortofon 2M black MM and the Hana ML MC. This on a Technics SL 1200 G. Any one have experience with these? Opinions?

 

[ccmccull]

I use the ortofon 2m blue and love it.

 

[ScottAstroNut]

I started with the Ortofon 2M Blue and upgraded to the Bronze. Both are excellent. I would think that the 2M Black would be even better, and a worthy choice for using with the Eros 2.

 

[denti alligator]

The other option is to go with a stepup transformer and continue to use MC cartridges.

 

[Toys4Boys]

Been selling audio for decades, in my experience the Ortofon is more detailed, while the Hana has a more lush presentation. Both are fine cartridges and of course it is very system dependent, but these observations are backed by dozens and dozens of end users.

I recently completed my Eros 2 and have been using 3 cartridges, a Micro Acoustics 2002e, ADC XLM MKIII and AT OC9XML into a Rothwell MCX(?). My take on the Audio Technica is that it is probably voiced somewhere between the Ortofon and Hana.

 

[joralieu]

Think I will go with the step up and Hana ML, seems to be well liked and is on sale right now. Anyone here using this on their Eros 2?

 

[denti alligator]

Think I will go with the step up and Hana ML, seems to be well liked and is on sale right now. Anyone here using this on their Eros 2?

I'm eager to try this combination, but can't afford it quite yet. Please report back.

 

[Paul Birkeland]

I have a good friend down the road who bought an abandoned Eros project from me.  He bought a Hana ML and I mounted these Jensens to his Eros:
https://www.parts-express.com/Jensen-JT-DB-E-Premium-Direct-Box-Transformer-121-246-0101?quantity=1

I had to drill some extra holes but it wasn't the end of the world.

 

[joralieu]

I think will do the Sowter, which one for the Hana ML? Also does at need different loading resistors?

 

[Larpy]

I use the Sowter 1990.  It can be configured either as a 1:10 or a 1:20 SUT.  The Hana ML puts out .4mV, so using the 1990 as a 1:10 SUT will get you to 4mV, more or less ideal for the Eros (it's designed for outputs between 4 and 6mV).

 

[Hank Murrow]

I am using the Eros Phono preamp with the Hana SH cartridge into my custom Soul Sister preamp and Kaiju amp. It is a lovely sound that I am enjoying with my collection of 1500 mostly pristine discs. I have a set of Altec low-output transformers, but have not needed these with the Hana SH, as the Eros circuit provides enough gain, and the MQ cobalt B-7 outputs on the Soul Sister really give all the detail anyone might want from their vinyl collection within this amplification chain. The Shibata stylus rides in unworn regions of the vinyl groove, yielding a very quiet presentation.

Cheers to BH and PB! Hank in Eugene

 

[joralieu]

Got the Hana ml and ordered the Sowter 1990's. Do I need anything else to set this up? Loading resistors?

 

[Paul Birkeland]

The Hana ML wants more than 100 ohms of loading impedance and looks to be suitable for the 1:10 step-up ratio.  This would step-down the 47K loading resistors we provide by a factor of 100, leaving you with 470 ohms of loading for your cartridge.  I think that is certainly a valid place to start!

 

[Larpy]

Move the 47K load resistors from the input jack tip to ground over to terminals 17/16 and 2/1.  (You'll need to solder a short piece of wire between the input ground connection of each input jack to the ground buss.)  You want the resistors on the SUT's secondaries rather than on the primaries (which are soldered to the input jack).

 

[joralieu]

Thank You

 

[denti alligator]

Move the 47K load resistors from the input jack tip to ground over to terminals 17/16 and 2/1.  (You'll need to solder a short piece of wire between the input ground connection of each input jack to the ground buss.)  You want the resistors on the SUT's secondaries rather than on the primaries (which are soldered to the input jack).

I didn’t realize the resistors needed to be moved. Is this necessary? If not, what is the advantage? Thanks.

 

[Paul Birkeland]

Yes, you want the 47K resistors on the output side of the SUT.  Technically you could evaluate using no loading resistors at all if you wanted, but leaving them across the RCA jacks is approximately equivalent to no loading resistors at all.

 

[denti alligator]

Thanks