Hana SL Rebuild, Aluminium/Shibata Vs Sapphire/Paratrace
Following an accident last week with my Hana SL (Snapped cantalever) I contacted expert stylus to get a quote for a rebuild. I received an email reply today giving me 2 options.
1. Rebuild with a new std aluminium cantalever (I have original and the stylus to send them)
2. Rebuild with an upgraded white Sapphire cantalever and Paratrace stylus.
Option 2 is only £69 more than option 1, so on the surface this seems like a very cost effective way to 'upgrade' a cart.
However the Hana SL is a very good cart in standard trim and I really enjoyed it. Though I have never had a more expensive cart to compare it too, so wouldn't know what I was missing against say a Benz Micro or an Ortofon Cadenza.
If I was to go for the upgrade rebuild would it change the sonic character significantly. If so would it potentially be for the better, and sonically, atleast move me further up the cartridge ladder??
Your thoughts and comments on this would be much appreciated
Money may not make me happy.
But it helps me afford the kind of misery I prefer.
SYSTEM 1:
Analogue.
Brinkmann Bardo / 12" OL Enterprise Mk4 / Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum /BigBottle mk3 /MFA Baby Reference Pre/Nord One UP SE NC500M/Martin Logan Summit
Digital.
Docet Lector CDP-7TL mkiii/Pimped Bluesound Node2 + BOTW SBooster Lps/ Pimped Mk1 Jolida Fx Glass DAC.
Wires etc.
Audioplan Musicable ICs & TQ Black ll SC, assorted branded kettle leads.
Target TT shelf & Alphason 5 shelf rack.
Power Inspired AG1500S mains regen.
SYSTEM 2: Back to the 80s.
Garrard 401, RB250, A&R P77Mg / Mk1 Marantz CD63 SE / Sony TC-FX150 / Sansui T500L / Cambridge Audio C50 + 2x A50 as bridged monos (mid 80s Stan Curtis's design) / or KEF 104ab/ Original 80s Monster Cable IC, DNM SC / Target 5 shelf rack.
SPARE KIT:
A&R E77Mg
Ortofon 2M Silver + Blue stylus
Philips CD600
Arcam Alpha 8P
Pro-Ject DacBox S FL
CCA
FiiO Taishan
Heybrook HB1 S2
Q Acoustics 3050