Gotta have the DL-103!!! Pure magic.

These videos are really, really helpful. Thanks so much for doing them. I'm amazed at different these three cartridges are, and it's also interesting to note my own reaction to those differences. The first thing I hear is the difference in frequency response, which is obviously what a lot of people here are reacting to. But then I started hearing other things: dynamics, musical flow, engagement. And in the long run, those are the things that make me want to listen more. I"m not sure yet which I prefer in those terms; I'll need to listen more. Thanks again for such useful content.

Espectacular la BIN323, muy buena capsula, sonido super definido, estoy volviendo a re escuchar todos mis vinilos.

Thank you for these fantastic videos!

I see the virtues of the Hana but for me the Denon has soul.

The Hana has the best control over the harmony between the Big-Drumm and the bass.

Thank you for doing this. To my taste the Hana is the clear winner

Looking at specs, history etc. it appears that both the Hana (formerly called Excel) and the LP Gear are based on the old Excel MC-100, which has also been sold as the Benz-Micro MC20E2. The stylus cuts, though, are more modern, meaning they reveal more detail and separation and are less prone to inner groove distortion, but also that some listeners might experience a less lively and natural presentation, with separation sounding almost 'compartmentalised'. In any case, the Excel MC-100 was a truly amazing cartridge, a kind of Moving Coil equivalent to the legendary Audio Technica AT95E budget Moving Magnet. Good that someone's keeping it alive! It should perhaps be mentioned also that LP Gear makes a cheaper version called the 215, which is closer to the original Excel MC-100. Furthermore, one should bear in mind that a more advanced cartridge doesn't automatically make just any old turntable sound better. This only works with turntables that have the right specifications to cater for these more advanced designs. Most typically, budget turntables do not sound better with anything more modern than a normal elliptical stylus design. Instead, the advanced design will just show up deficiencies more in the turntable itself.

Thanks for choosing a good record.

impressive comparison

I was always wondering between the Hana and the Denon...The Hana is much better! Opened my eyes, Thanks! Better highs and more separation!

@Lasse3

Жыл бұрын

I own a premium cart (The Blackbird) And also the DL-103 - trust me 'better highs' is a double edged sword. I would much rather call it, more or less emphasis on the highs, than mistake it for 'better' and 'worse' The DL-103 has an incredible homogenous sound that has given it it's legendary status, where those super MC's with micro ridges dissects the music into atoms, which isn't always the most authentic approach, or the most musical experience.

@NickP333

7 ай бұрын

⁠@@Lasse3Well said. As someone who has tried many MC, MM, and MI carts, I’m back to using a simple stock DL-103r cart. I’ve got plenty of other carts with fancy stylus profiles, and while they may work, “better” in certain situations, the Denon has become my daily driver.

Really interesting comparison, I’ve only heard the Hana EH once before. At the time, I remember thinking it sounded a bit veiled (if that’s the right word). Now thinking it was more a case of a well balanced cartridge that didn’t emphasize high end or bass. In this comparison, the Hana is the clear winner to my ears. The other two sounded like there was something missing.

Would be really interesting to hear this comparison live. With the obvious limitations of audio from a KZread video, I can't hear a ton of difference. I don't have any personal experience listening to high output vs low output cartridges, so no real bias there other than friends telling me low output MC cartridges are the way to go over high output. Based on this demo, I would probably opt for the cartridge that was cheapest or that mated with my turntable's tonearm best.

The DL103 i love.. i have always had one since the 80's, and i had the benz micro as well. But i must say that the low output Grado Opus 3 is better than all three :) It has a fantastic timbre for its price class.

Where did you get the platter

Hana super !!!

Hana was smooth and natural. Denon was overly bright and dynamic. Bin 323 had the natural tone of the Hana with less punch. From this demo I would choose the Hana.

I would like to install a Hana, but the compliance is too high for the heavy arm of my TT. I will order the Denon really soon. Curious to the difference it will make comparzd with my VM540ML

I think the Denon has a bit better / crisper high end, hard to say after YT compression -> iPhone->to car radio lol. I’ll need to listen direct into my home rig. Not sure the Hana is worth $250 more.

I listened twice and would select the DL103 for its realism, all are very good though!

Love the DL-103

That LP gear sounds pretty sweet as well. I don’t know that brand.

Very interesting video. I own a much loved dl103r but i have to recon the hana EH here is the clear winner! oh no my wallet....

What is a better setting for the load 100 or more for the Denon DL 103?

@tonydeniro284

Жыл бұрын

400 ohms

Try focusing on the snare drum. The differences in timbre and openness are almost always easiest to detect in the upper mid-frequency range.

@LanciaD50

Жыл бұрын

with ones of the two??

@jimmyolsenschannel6263

Жыл бұрын

@@LanciaD50 Please clarify your question.

Hi, I'm Jordi Cabrera (Spain), I currently have a Hana EH, Clearaudio phono smart v2 and Pro-ject the classic. Could you help me with the setup of the clearaudio and the Hana EH? should i put it in MM or MC? what impedance and what capacitance should i use? Thank you.

@raphaelmabo5014

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Jordi. The Hana EH is a high output cartridge and designed for MM inputs. So set your riiaa to MM, 47K ohm impedance and 150 pF capacitance.

@jordicabrerarodriguez8766

4 жыл бұрын

Raphael Mabo thank you

@tonydeniro284

3 жыл бұрын

Get the hana el and use a step up transformer, much better.

For quite a lot of actual tone arms the Denon 103 is a bit light (compliance problems)

Hana sounded natural and airy. Denon sounded compressed. I dont know if the setup was spot on for the Denon but doesn't sound open.

Denon and Hana sounds very close to each other.

The fly un the ointment ? The DL 103 requires a heavier arm than the Hana ..!

The Hana has a deeper soundstage with more definition. The Denon and LP Gear are more two dimensional and a bit treble forward.

@Lasse3

Жыл бұрын

You're comparing conical and elliptical styli.. Is this your first day of analogue sound?

@stephenbailey9969

Жыл бұрын

@@Lasse3 No. When I was young I enjoyed lp's, but haven't had a record player in years. With the price of these things, I doubt I will, but it's fun to listen and hear the differences. To me, cd's are more cost effective, if not quite as nostalgic.

@Lasse3

Жыл бұрын

@@stephenbailey9969 The Hana EL is 50% more expensive than the Denon DL-103. This is mostly due to the Hana sporting an elliptical stylus that can track much smaller differences in the vinyl groove than the big chunky Conical stylus of the DL-103. All cartridge manufacturers always puts the cheaper conical diamond tips on their entry level carts. - then elliptical for mid-tier carts. And for their top range fine-lines or micro ridges. The stylus shape and size will always carry a certain type of sound regardless of who uses it and what the name of the cart is. Conicals sounds warm and rolled-off at the top, and when the track gets busy, it will sound somewhat messy. A micro ridge is able to keep everything clear and separated, in such a way that every individual instrument or voice pertains a high resolution at all times. Carts with micro ridge styli are always expensive.

@stephenbailey9969

Жыл бұрын

@@Lasse3 Thanks for the info!

@itswrongtokillanimalsifyou2837

4 ай бұрын

@@Lasse3 No need to be insulting. It was just an observation on the sound differences in the video, not a comment on the reasons for hearing them.

Since the Denon 103 is a low output moving coil cartridge, it must be using a moving coil preamp, and not the same circuitry as the other two mm carts. Hard to compare apples to oranges here. Even if they all used the same preamp with an mc or mm button pushed, it is not an all things equal comparison.

103 for me

Hana by far

Where can i buy a lp gear bin323 please sell me yours haha

Hana.

Why is the entire platter wobbling up and down Bro ?

@nonameforgoogle2538

3 жыл бұрын

Haha yeah, it's getting bad when your platter is more warped than the record. Could it be that heavy weight on a platter bearing not designed for the weight

@jackwezesa1081

2 жыл бұрын

Loose that extra weight!

DL 103 little less drive but way more natural Hana second ..,!

Send that ring back mate it's awfully out! not doing you any favours, and the centre weight clamp is ludicrous that causes more problems and it's worth as well should be used only on an inverted bearing

Hana EH sounds like mud. smeary mud. The 103 kicked its ass.

@hifivaliant8937

3 жыл бұрын

Oh please. The 103 has no treble. The saxophone has nasal sound.

@tonydeniro284

3 жыл бұрын

All that gathered from audio through a cell phone speaker lol lol please....hana, brilliant and gorgeous as the name in japanese implies...I should know, I own the hana el, fantastic! The best cartridge out there currently for the money. Alnico magnets! Who else is using them at this price point?? No one! Hana has dethroned the Denon 103...with its conical stylus lol.

@mswdesign9164

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly. The mud sounds kinda cool as an effect. But it is sonic BS. 103 sounded true.

@pioferro

2 жыл бұрын

That Denon DL103 sounds great! No wonder it’s been in production as long as it has been.

@Lasse3

Жыл бұрын

​@@tonydeniro284 the Hana EL is in a completely different price range dawg. 50% more expensive than DL-103, the entire reason the DL-103 can be given away for such a small price is because of the simplistic bonded conical stylus. I use the DL-103 just for fun sometimes, but my main cart is a +1000$ cart 🥳

False advertising bro !