It uses a 6mm long aluminium cantilever and Micro Ridge stylus, and the generator is housed in a rigid aluminium body.ĭynavector DV- 20X2 cartridge, low and high output versions are the same price: £749.00ĭynavector DV- 20X2 cartridge, exchange price: £599.00 (plus return of an old Dynavector DV- 20X cartridge) This moving coil cartridge is available in two versions a high output version for use into MM phono stages (outputs 2.8mV) and a ‘low’ output version (or what I would consider close to normal MC level at 0.3mV). This is the replacement model for the classic DV 20X. Hana SL Low Output Nude Shibata stylus MC Cartridge: £629.00 Hana SH High Output Nude Shibata stylus MC Cartridge: £629.00 For the price the performance really is excellent, making them highly recommended. They defy their price tag, sounding refined but exciting, well detailed but not overly analytical and just all round very musical.
They do not sound cheap, or compromised, or of much at all (in the best possible way). Now sonically most ‘budget’ MC cartridges (by that I mean below four figures) tend to be have a blend of strengths that needed to be weighed against some weaknesses (light bass, rising treble and so on), but the Hana cartridges do not seem to do this. What this means in reality is that you do not have to have a costly step up transformer or MC equipped phono stage to enjoy these cartridges do, so whilst the low output version does have the edge, in real terms you do not feel like there is anything missing with settling with the easier to run high output version. There must be greater moving mass from the extra turns of wire necessary to produce the greater output level, but there is only trace elements of the usual sonic downsides evident, a little loss of transparency and just the lightest touch of additional grain. Invariably there will be losses when making a high output MC cartridge, but with the Hana a good compromise appears to have been struck. Two version of this cartridge are available, a conventional ‘Low’ output MC (0.5mV) and a high output MC (2mV) for connection into an MM phono stage.
The Shibata series are so named because of the shape of the diamond used - a fine line design that is renowned for it’s excellent high frequency resolution as well as facilitating low record wear. Hana cartridges are made by Excel Sound Corportation, a Japanese company who have been making cartridges for other manufacturers for 50 years, but this is the first ever series to bear their name.
My previous reservations about not having a stylus guard and untapped mountings have now been resolved (please note the picture above is of the earlier version) making this a much easier cartridge to install, which is a real blessing with such an exposed cantilever.ĭynavector DV- 10X5 exchange: £439.00 (plus return of old DV- 10X5 mk2 cartridge) It is a high output MC design so can be used straight into any MM input on a phono stage. There’s no mistaking the 10x5 from any other cartridge, its vivid red appearance stands out a mile, yet the sound it produces is remarkably refined for the price, with a good sense of drive and purpose. Please note some over £500 cartridges are featured under the model listings on this page