Gramophone Dreams

Gramophone Dreams #29: Etsuro Urushi & Hana phono cartridges Contacts

Sidebar: Contacts

Etsuro Urushi, Dai-ichi Shoji Co., Ltd. The Landmark Tower, Yokohama 20F 2-2-1 MIinatomirai Nishi-Ku Yokohama, Japan Tel: +81 45 228 3251 Web: EtsuroJapan.com. US Distributor: Believe High Fidelity Ltd. 1307 Samson Dtive, Hutto, TX 78634. Tel: (512) 470-2709 Web: ibelieveinhifi.com.

Hana. Excel Sound Corporation 3-7-37, Shin-yoshida-Higashi, Kohoku-ku Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-0058 Japan Tel: (81) 45-543-5100 Web: excelsound.co.jp. US distributor: Musical Surroundings 5662 Shattuck Avenue Oakland, CA 94609. Tel: (510) 547-5006 Web: musicalsurroundings.com

ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on July 31, 2019 - 8:42am

Alnico magnet saturation... noted.

audiocaptain's picture
Submitted by audiocaptain on July 31, 2019 - 12:43pm

Herb I just installed a Hana ML in the Funk FX3 and it just sings. After about 50 hours and some new and old records I must say I'm sold on fairly priced MC's. I am expecting the Analog Majik setup program and records tomorrow and look forward to hours of sonic bliss.

anomaly7's picture
Submitted by anomaly7 on August 5, 2019 - 3:45pm

Herb, your review of the Etsuro Urushi's Cobalt Blue cartridge inspires me to spend money, not only on the cartridge but also on another SUT. You have conveyed your appreciation for the product in a way that makes this reader say, I too want that experience in my system. Bravo.

Djape's picture
Submitted by Djape on January 2, 2020 - 1:40pm

Herb, have you seen levitating turntables https://maglevaudio.com/collections/ml1

Ed Oz's picture
Submitted by Ed Oz on May 5, 2023 - 10:07am

Hi Herb,

First of all...I always enjoy your reviews in which you try different combos of equipment and work hard to clarify the differences you do or don't hear. (This, even though I don't understand how "chi" or "yin and yang" relate to sonics.)

In any case...since you also play polystyrene singles...the Hana ML with its microline stylus profile will damage certain polystyrene 45s.

I performed thorough tests in which I cleaned some singles before and between multiple plays and compared the results with other singles that weren't effected.

I then sent the test singles to a friend and designer/manufacturer of my turntable, who is also a Hana dealer. He had the same results.

Some comments to an online audio forum post resulted in replies from owners of other brand cartridges with microline/microridge styli saying that they, too, had damage issues with polystyrene singles.

With previous conical, elliptical, or shibata styli, I have never had an issue. I don't have problems with my backup vdH One shibata nor does an audiophile buddy with his Hana SL.

I am now awaiting the arrival of a replacement Hana SL.

Note that damage does not occur with all polystyrene singles, but it's very real (and visible) on those where it does.

My test singles included polystyrene discs from the 1970s and 1980s from major labels, so the problem is not confined to 1950s and 1960s 45s.

Keep up the good work!

Ed

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