Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => Eros Phono => Topic started by: joralieu on November 27, 2023, 10:48:41 AM

Title: Cartridge advice
Post by: joralieu on November 27, 2023, 10:48:41 AM
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?
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: ccmccull on November 27, 2023, 10:52:28 AM
I use the ortofon 2m blue and love it.
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: ScottAstroNut on November 28, 2023, 02:45:32 AM
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.
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: denti alligator on November 28, 2023, 03:06:46 AM
The other option is to go with a stepup transformer and continue to use MC cartridges.
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: Toys4Boys on November 28, 2023, 10:21:41 AM
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.
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: joralieu on November 29, 2023, 04:51:04 AM
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?
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: denti alligator on November 29, 2023, 05:03:00 AM
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.
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: Paul Birkeland on November 29, 2023, 06:04:33 AM
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 (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.
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: joralieu on November 29, 2023, 09:46:39 AM
I think will do the Sowter, which one for the Hana ML? Also does at need different loading resistors?
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: Larpy on November 29, 2023, 09:55:18 AM
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).
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: Hank Murrow on November 30, 2023, 01:16:07 PM
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
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: joralieu on December 06, 2023, 05:48:03 AM
Got the Hana ml and ordered the Sowter 1990's. Do I need anything else to set this up? Loading resistors?
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: Paul Birkeland on December 06, 2023, 06:01:28 AM
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!
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: Larpy on December 06, 2023, 06:43:23 AM
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).
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: joralieu on December 06, 2023, 10:11:05 AM
Thank You
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: denti alligator on December 07, 2023, 02:24:34 AM
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.
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: Paul Birkeland on December 07, 2023, 04:13:49 AM
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.
Title: Re: Cartridge advice
Post by: denti alligator on December 07, 2023, 04:19:18 AM
Thanks