CELLULE MC HANA SL MK II

Following the worldwide success of its SL low-level MC cartridges, the Japanese manufacturer has made significant changes to these models, which have established the reputation of the Hana brand among music lovers.

HANA SL MKII: Body

The body of the Hana SL cartridge is made from a synthetic material (ABS) that looks like Delrin. This new version, however, is covered in black elastomer resin to limit vibration and mechanical noise. The general shape of the body is also borrowed from the HANA ML.
The main difference between the new Hana SL MKII and the old version is the addition of a brass sole (tinted black), as on the Hana ML. As well as adding weight to the cartridge (8.6g), it incorporates an insert with a screw thread. This eliminates the need for nuts and makes assembly much easier.

HANA SL MKII: Cantilever and Diamond

The cantilever on this new Hana SL MKII is, as on the rest of the range, made from a tapered aluminium tube. It was chosen for its lightness and neutrality, as well as its relative rigidity. This profile also improves information transmission and speed.
It is always combined with a superb elliptical diamond with a ‘Nude Shibata’ profile. This diamond is polished to a high level of precision.
Its complex, optimal profile enables it to fit perfectly into the sides of the groove.
In addition to its exemplary traceability, it offers an enormous reduction in surface noise. In fact, surface noise is almost non-existent, leaving plenty of room for the music!

HANA SL MKII: Generator

As the ‘L’ indicates, this Hana SL is a low-level version.
It has an output level of 0.4 mV, making it suitable for (almost) all Phono MC preamplifiers on the market with a minimum gain of 60 dB. The 8Ω coil impedance allows a resistive load of around 90Ω, close to the default values for non-adjustable MC phono preamplifiers. This also makes the Hana SL Mk II compatible with Step-Up transformers.
Hana remains rather vague about the design and technology of the generator. However, it is said to be similar in design to the Hana ML and Umami Blue. It uses a 30μ diameter 4N copper wire. It also receives cryogenic treatment of the air gap, coils and pins.

HANA SL MKII: Return

We've paired this new Hana SL MKII with a lightweight 9-inch arm and a 12-inch version with a rather large effective mass.

It should be noted that its compliance is from 10 to 100 Hz, i.e. around 18 at 10 Hz, giving it great versatility in terms of association with light or medium-weight arms. 

The main differences with the previous model are the weight, which increases from 5g to 8.6g. This makes it easier to combine with the arms of the turntables for which this cartridge is intended. Secondly, the load is now around 100 Ohms, the same as that offered by most standard MC inputs on integrated amplifiers and found on all quality phono preamps.

Like its predecessor, the Hana SL, Series II clearly favors the timbre. In fact, it sounds even more realistic. Music is rendered with even more substance and realism. The tonal balance is one of the best in this price range.

Restitution is even more nuanced and natural, while retaining superb clarity and definition. 

All the instruments are perfectly in place, making the work easy to read.

The bass is particularly well transcribed, without exaggeration or overweight, but with beautiful articulation and excellent "punch"! The midrange is close to perfection... Vocals are present and perfectly defined, with a very organic quality that totally humanizes the music! There's no hint of aggressiveness or harshness, even in particularly dynamic, aggressive passages. 

The reproduction offered by this Hana SL MKII cell remains detailed, defined and, above all, very natural at all times... Of course, we also find all the traceability qualities of the Shibata diamond. Surface noise and distortion are surely the lowest in this segment.

This Hana SL MKII cell is still an excellent alternative to the Ortofon Quintet black, which remains the benchmark in this range, but offers a different vision.

The Hana SL MKII will delight all demanding music lovers attached to the timbre and silkiness of analog reproduction. 

Our favorite 

Available in high output: MC HANA SH MKII CELL and MC HANA SL MONO MK II CELL