Currently I have a Rega Planar 3 (with upgraded subplatter, tone arm shims, and isolation feet). The cartridge I've been using for the last year is an Ortofon 2M Black. My preamp is a Schitt Mani which runs into a pair of Audio Engine A5+ speakers. All sounds very good, but I think I can get even better sound. On another forum (which brought me here), I asked if I should make the change to either a Rega Ania or a Hana SL. One member of the forum suggested to stick with 2M Black, but upgrade the Mani to a Graham Slee Reflex M. So my question would be this:

Would that be your advice as well?

Thoughts?

Thank you so much.

Jack

Hello Jack and welcome. I'm assuming you're in the US from your IP address? If so message Bruce (BAK) and ask him to lend you the loaner program Reflex M. If you're unsure on how to use the  message system, see the instructions on this (by now familiar) page:

https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/about/forum-registration.html - https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/about/forum-registration.html

Hi Jack

The carts you mention are low output Moving Coils.

You'd need a stepup device to run them into a Reflex M.

Your 2M Black would be quite happy running straight into a Reflex M, the other two would not.

You could look at one of Grahams MC preamps to keep cost and box count down.

You could try a Reflex M fronted with an Elevator, but you're looking at two boxes.

You could try a Hana SH direct into a Reflex M (which is what I do, with astonishingly good results).

  I moved from a price-comparable phono stage to the Reflex M and it was a giant step up. It paired beautifully with my 2M Black and 2M Bronze. Try one through the loan scheme and you can hear for yourself what kind of improvements are available.

Cheers,

Mick.

The Ortofon 2M Black is well regarded as perhaps one of the best MMs. If you already like the sound of it, I would second Grahams suggestion and take advantage of the loan scheme to hear just how the Reflex or Accession can get the best from it.