Replacement cart for my P6 and phono

[bonus]

Hello,
It's upgrade time for my P6 and I have been reading up on a few carts.
Currently have the Exact fitted and it's still the RB330 arm

Budget £750 including phono stage, which I have no idea on, happy to go used on the phono

Ania
Hana SL
AT33EV

I am using an ELEX-R amp and Tannoy XT 6F

I'm drawn to the AT as it's a toe in the MC water and it will leave me more for the Phono.

Should I be spending more?

I also have a TD 160 MK II with an SME Series 2 Imp Fxd which I was going to try the Exact on. Some feedback on that would be welcome as well. I don't fully understand the whole cartridge arm matching and still reading and learning.

Looking forward to your comments.

Cheers
Bruce

[Cycleallday]

I have the AT and as it can be found for around £300 is a great buy. Not heard the other 2 but did have a 2hr listening to the Rega Alpheta which I really liked. It was a bit leaner and more detailed than the AT but at four times the price was not going to make me think about changing.

The lower priced Rega would be nice to hear as it’s a similar design to its elders and one that could tempt me - that said I do like AT for both sound and value for money and also have the OC9/II

MEL

[petrat]

I heard the Ania on a Planar 3 at a dealers, and was well impressed ... and I'm not easy to impress :D
In direct comparison to the Exact, it was a clear improvement in all areas.

I've owned an AT33PTG, and I would choose the Ania over it if it was my money, especially on a Rega. It's a very good cartridge.

[Idlewithnodrive]

I've run the AT33 and the Hana SL side by side and I now own a Hana SL and a new spare, for when they're no longer available :)

[bonus]

Thanks for your replies.

Looks like it could be the Ania or Hana then at 500 or 570 respectively.

That leaves scope for either an Arcam R Phono at 269 at my local store or a chance at a Rega Fono MC off of the auction site.

The Arcam looks a better product but if I can get the Rega for a good price...

[Cycleallday]

Bruce, do look up and contact HiFi Dave on this site when looking up prices :)

[losepete]

You may want to consider the Pro-Ject Phono Box DS+ as an alternative to models mentioned https://www.vickershifi.com/Products/PJPhonoDSP?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0pfYmt2N4wIVia3tCh3U2 wchEAQYASABEgJFAPD_BwE

[graham67]

Hi, the oc9 works well on rega being less full than the 33 ev and is more even. I was impressed with it on a td-166.
Compliance wise it really suits the lightish rega.
It might be worth putting out a wanted for an OC9MLii as there are a lot in circulation and make good buying s/h.
If your amp has a decent mm stage, the oc9 works well into 47k via a headamp or sut.

[hifi_dave]

Bruce, do look up and contact HiFi Dave on this site when looking up prices :)

Thanks for that.

I can confirm that I do have favourable prices for AOS folk.

[bonus]

Thanks Dave and thank you everyone for your suggestions and comments, I decided on the Ania and the Rega Fono MC, its a birthday present from my wife and she is feeling generous this year! Just looking forward to getting them now.

Cheers!

[hifi_dave]

Just about to go out but will PM you later.