Phono Cartridges - Your favorites and least favorites?

[kvetcha]

Just read @HiFi Guy glowing review of the Hana MH from a few years ago and am think buy once cry once. I plan on building a Bottlehead Eros phono pre later this year and they recommend using HOMC carts with it.

Or an SAE if you can find one.

 

[Joe Mac]

Any thoughts/experience with an Ortofon Quintet Blue or Audio Technica OC9MXL for a MoFi Ultradeck?

These were recommended by Music Direct when I asked about alternatives LOMC carts to the MoFi StudioSilver.

I am running the XML on my project now. It’s a really nice sounding cart. I did prefer the Hana SL to it though. It sounds and tracks better. The Quintet Black S is a stunning cartridge but it was a bit too much cartridge for my deck and then I had an unfortunate accident with it…