Any opinions on the Hana ML cartridge?

[ReggieB]

Hi Rob, if you like the OC 9 ML 2, a safe upgrade is the Art 9.

Thank you Graham. At the moment the OC 9 is singing beautifully in my system so I'll be sticking with that for a while. Art 9 can sit on the wish list for a year or two I think. Thanks for the discount information too. That's useful to know.

[Vrajbasi]

That's what makes the world go round.

Excel Corp have been making cartridges for many other companies over the years and I believe they also make MC step-ups and accessories.

They made the transfiguration cartridges amongst many many high end offerings, also part build some lyras, air tights etc. The two brands that are there own are Hannah and the High end Etsuro Brand which are truly remarkable beasts.

Here is an interesting Vid on excel featuring the master himself Okada San

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx-BkVnWQgU&t=374s

[hifi_dave]

Thanks for that.

How do they do all that in a 'shed' ?

[Vrajbasi]

Thanks for that.

How do they do all that in a 'shed' ?

Very resourceful I presume, I use the top of the line Etsuro Gold while crazily priced it is the finest cartridge I have heard so far, they certainly no what they are doing. The Etsuro and Hannah lines have certainly boosted there profile I am sure this has had a knock off affect on OEM work.

[Mike Reed]

They made the transfiguration cartridges]

Surely not the upper ones; maybe the Aria and similar but Phoenix through Proteus was hand-made by Transfig., a.f.a.I k.

[Vrajbasi]

Surely not the upper ones; maybe the Aria and similar but Phoenix through Proteus was hand-made by Transfig., a.f.a.I k.

No all were made by excel the last offering was the Proteus diamond

[Mike Reed]

No all were made by Excel; the last offering was the Proteus Diamond

Gosh! Didn't know of this model; I've just got the Proteus, which is lovely. If their cart's were made o.e.m., I wonder why Transfig. folded. The predecessor of the Proteus (name escapes me) stopped production on the death of the founder because only HE could make them, and later recommenced with the Proteus.

You can see why I'm confused, as this is the info. I was given by the dealer who sold it to me, among others.

[Vrajbasi]

From what I understand, the family own the name and they do not wish to continue with having the bodies made and the whole brand management etc. The bodies were supplied by transfiguration etc. There are only a handful of Japanese manufacturers out there, majority are manufactured by companies who supply OEM to there specifications.

To my ears excel sounds own Etsuro brand is way ahead of transfiguration in any case and many transfiguration owners have gone this route.

[hifi_dave]

Gosh! Didn't know of this model; I've just got the Proteus, which is lovely. If their cart's were made o.e.m., I wonder why Transfig. folded. The predecessor of the Proteus (name escapes me) stopped production on the death of the founder because only HE could make them, and later recommenced with the Proteus.

You can see why I'm confused, as this is the info. I was given by the dealer who sold it to me, among others.

Typical high-end MC 'myth'. Only the ancient designer is able to craft that particular cartridge.

[Mike Reed]

Typical high-end MC 'myth'. Only the ancient designer is able to craft that particular cartridge.

This is presumably a Proteus with diamond cantilever, not that I've heard of one (unlike the Koetsus which have been going for some time). By 'myth', d'you mean it didn't exist or was a very rare bespoke item, Dave?