It has always been exciting to see a new cartridge brand appear on the market, and it is all the more so today in 2015! Hana comes to us from Japan, like the majority of high-end MC cartridge brands.
Hana EL: Output level
As the "L" indicates, this Hana EL is a low output (Low) version.
Its 0.5 mV make it suitable for all MC phono preamplifiers on the market. Hana recommends a load above 400 Ohms.
Hana remains fairly vague about the design and technology of the generator.
Hana EL: Stylus
The cantilever is made of aluminium and is fitted with an elliptical stylus.
It is precisely polished and undergoes a selection process in order to comply with the manufacturer's specifications.
Its profile is optimal and nestles perfectly into the walls of the groove.
Hana EL: Body
The body is made of a synthetic material resembling Delrin.
In this low output version, it is coloured green throughout…
Hana EL: Test and listening
We paired this Hana cartridge with a rather lightweight 9-inch tonearm and with a 12-inch version of rather high mass.
It should be noted that its compliance is 10 at 100 Hz, so around 18 at 10 Hz, which gives it great versatility in terms of pairings with lightweight or medium-mass tonearms.
The reproduction clearly favours timbre and nuance.
Loaded at 100 Ohms (what a standard MC phono preamplifier offers), the balance is soft and may seem dark and lacking in dynamics. If your system is relatively neutral, and provided your preamplifier allows it, we recommend setting it to a value above 400 Ohms.
On our system, the best result was obtained after running-in by setting the Pro-Ject Phono Box RS phono preamplifier to 600 Ohms. The reproduction is detailed, defined and above all very natural… The bass is articulated and nuanced. The voices are very present and no aggressiveness is to be noted. The level of detail is excellent without ever falling into a clinical analysis.
This Hana EL cartridge is an excellent alternative to Ortofon or other Audio Technica! It will delight music lovers attached to the timbres and the silkiness of analogue reproduction.
The value for money is remarkable!
Also available in a high output level: HANA EH MC CARTRIDGE
AWARDS:
Positive Feedback - Writer's Choice Award - 2018
Positive Feedback - Very Highly Recommended
Hi-Fi World
The Audiophile Man - Deeply Groovy - 2016
Stereo - test
FAQ: Everything you need to know before buying the Hana EL cartridge
Which phono preamplifier do I need, and how do I set it up?
Its output level of 0.5 mV makes it suitable for all MC phono preamplifiers on the market. Hana recommends a load above 400 Ohms: loaded at 100 Ohms, the standard value of an MC preamplifier, the balance may seem soft, dark and lacking in dynamics, so a setting above 400 Ohms is advised if your preamplifier allows it.
Which tonearms is it compatible with?
Its compliance gives it great versatility in terms of pairings: it works just as well with lightweight tonearms as with medium-mass tonearms, which makes it a flexible MC cartridge to integrate into many configurations.
Is there a higher output level version?
Yes. The Hana brand offers a high output level variant, the Hana EH MC cartridge, designed for MM phono inputs.
What kind of reproduction can you expect?
The reproduction clearly favours timbre and nuance. After running-in and proper adjustment, it is detailed, defined and above all very natural, with an articulated and nuanced bass, very present voices and no aggressiveness, while remaining far from a clinical analysis. It is an excellent alternative to Ortofon or Audio Technica, with remarkable value for money.
FranckType: Low-output MC
Stylus: Elliptical
Cantilever: Aluminum
Output level: 0.5 mV
Balance: > 2 dB
Tracking force: 2 g
Traceability: 60 µm/2 g
Compliance at 10 Hz: 18
Compliance at 100 Hz: 10
Channel separation: 25 dB/1 kHz
Bandwidth: 15–25,000 Hz
Internal impedance: 30 ohms
Load resistance: > 400 ohms
Weight: 5 g
Customer reviews
Zdravko Montenegro State
More than satisfied with the purchase of Hana cartrudge, sheds new light on my system, expert staff, professional, fast delivery, all recommendations! Thanks.
Équilibre
Avant tout je me dois de remercier Franck pour sa disponibilité et sa patience , pour en venir à la petite Hana c’est le jour et la nuit avec tout ce que j’ai pu entendre c’est équilibré, fouillé, charnelle c’est de l’analogique quoi je recommande vraiment cette cellule
Clareté
Une cellule magnifique, ! Ayant déjà eu des cellules plus prestigieuses et plus chères....
QUE DIRE ...Cette cellule est précise, très précise, on entend tout , et surtout on entend la musique !
Que dire ? …. Quelle musicalité !
Venant d’une Orthofon 2M blue, le bond en avant avec cette HANA EL est tout simplement pharaonique. La précision est impressionnante sur tout le spectre sonore et tous les instruments et voix sont à leur place. J’entends des instruments qui étaient comme « effacés » avant .
Cette Hana est également particulièrement silencieuse sur les blancs.
Toute les styles de musique passent majestueusement ( En ce moment Mr Oizo, Lou reed - Berlin, Deep Purple - Live in Japan, Gainsbourg - Mélody Nelson, Mozart - Requiem in D minor K626, Kraftwerk, Barbara – L’aigle noir et même ABBA etc...)
Je recherchais une cellule MC pas trop lourde qui soit compatible avec ma platine, une Pro-ject carbon début qui a huit années de service. (à noter que j’ai installé l’upgrade kit Kit d'upgrade « Pro-Ject platines vinyles moteur suspendu » et que mon moteur n’est plus vissé mais seulement suspendu).
Pour l’instant, les meilleurs résultats sont obtenus avec mon préampli tube Box réglé sur 470 Ohm et 63 DB, appui réglé avec une balance sur 2,00 gr.
Ma configuration :
Hana MC EL
Platine Project Carbon debut
Câble phono Pro-Ject Connect It RCA CC
Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 + Lampes PSVANE 12AX7-S ECC83 Art Série
Alimentation Pro-Ject Accu Box S2
Cable RCA Orthofon RED
Amplificateur hybride Lector audio ZXT-70
Cable HP maison FURUTECH FS-502 OFC
Enceintes Davis Accoustic Balthus 30