Hana SL MK II $850 - The Hana SL MK II is a worthy successor to the original Hana SL, becoming the new low-cost overachiever, capturing more of nearly everything that the cartridge it replaces in the company’s lineup does.
Turntable of the Year Clearaudio Concept Signature with Tracer Tonearm - $6000 Clearaudio created this special edition turntable exclusively for the U.S. market, and yes, it’s a home run. Think of it as a bells
"Sonics were a leap and a bound over the original entry-level Concept, which Neil Gader also reviewed. Rock-solid stability, timing accuracy, and resolving power make the Clearaudio Signature turntable a no-brainer recommendation. Add ease of setup and a buttery smooth cueing mechanism, and this becomes the affordable analog rig you've been waiting for.”
"...the optical cartridge offers a more open, dynamic, pacey and detailed sound, delivering excitement and energy while capturing subtle nuances in the mix and individual musicians’ contributions."
"Sonically, the III has a wider dynamic window, lower noise, greater headroom, gain, transparency, detail, and resolution, with a new-found impression of roundedness, dimensionality, and density of tone and body."
"An upgraded version of the original and widely hailed Grand Master optical cartridge, it offers a rarefied experience, one not subject to the usual limitations of vinyl playback. Instead, it ascends to lofty Everest-like peaks of musicality that more fully access the hidden treasures buried in the black grooves of an LP."