"...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."
AUGUST 13, 2025
FAE 2025 - CLEARAUDIO AND HANA BY KEN MICALLEF | ANALOG PLANET
SHOW REPORTS | POSTED FEBRUARY 25, 2025
The Clearaudio Reference Jubilee turntable ($30,000), with the gorgeous flagship Unity tonearm ($20,000), was mounted with a Hana Umami Red MC cartridge ($3,950). This analog goodness fed an Aesthetix Audio Corp. Rhea Signature Phono Preamplifier with Dynamicap capacitors, “hand-tuned RIAA,” and HRS feet ($10,000).
"...when vinyl hit the Clearaudio I was pleasantly surprised, quickly engaged, and wanted more. With Ochs spinning a Ray Montagne album, I was quickly caught up in the compelling faux Okie vocal, brushed drums and generally haunting ether."
Read more at AnalogPlanet.com
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"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."
AUGUST 7, 2025
"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."
AUGUST 7, 2025