Hana EL MKII MC cartridge

Behind its apparent simplicity, the new Hana E MK II Series benefits from several improvements derived from the development of the M, S and Umami series by the Japanese manufacturer Excel Sound Corporation.

In Yokohama, HANA cartridges have been hand-assembled since 1970 by craftsmen whose expertise is built on several decades of experience.

Hana EL MK II: Body

The body features a new design incorporating a brass top plate. This addition increases the mass of the cartridge and improves its mechanical interface with the tonearm, while helping to control resonances.

The body also receives an elastomer coating (dyed green throughout), intended to better control unwanted vibrations.

Finally, the mounting includes a thread built into the cartridge body, which makes fitting to the headshell easier and further improves the mechanical link between the cartridge and the tonearm.

Hana EL MK II: Generator

The E MK II Series retains the synthetic elliptical stylus combined with an aluminium cantilever, a pairing that has largely contributed to the success of the E range. The stylus is precisely polished and individually sorted so as to comply with the manufacturer's specifications.

The Hana EL MK II also retains its Alnico magnets, recognised for their contribution to a natural and dynamic musical signature.

The critical components of the generator and the output pins also benefit from cryogenic treatment, a technology already used on the high-end HANA models.

Hana EL MK II: Features

This Hana EL MK II, as the "L" indicates, is a low output version (Low).

Its 0.4 mV output makes it suitable for every MC phono preamplifier on the market with a minimum gain of 62 dB and an impedance adjustment between 80 and 200 ohms. This is a real step forward compared with the previous generation, which required a high load impedance. Its higher mass of 8.6 g also makes it compatible with more tonearms, and therefore with more entry-level turntables.

Hana EL MK II: Listening test

Note that its compliance is around 18 at 10 Hz, which gives it great versatility in terms of matching with light or medium mass tonearms.

We set the phono preamplifier to 100 ohms, the value offered by a standard MC phono stage.

The Hana EL MK II clearly favours timbre and nuance without ever sacrificing dynamics. The playback is detailed, well defined and above all very natural... The bass is articulate, nuanced and very legible. Voices are very present and no harshness is to be noted. The level of detail is excellent without ever falling into surgical analysis.

This Hana EL MK II low output MC cartridge manages to do better than the previous generation, which was already an undeniable success.

It remains an excellent alternative to Ortofon or Audio Technica models! It will delight music lovers attached to timbre, to the silkiness of analogue playback and to swing.

The value for money is remarkable!

Also available with a high output level: HANA EH MK II MC CARTRIDGE.

FAQ: Everything you need to know before buying the Hana EL MK II MC cartridge

Which phono preamplifier does the Hana EL MK II require?

Its 0.4 mV output makes it suitable for every MC phono preamplifier on the market with a minimum gain of 62 dB and an impedance adjustment between 80 and 200 ohms. On our system, the phono stage was set to 100 ohms, the value offered by a standard MC phono preamplifier. This is a real step forward compared with the previous generation, which required a high load impedance.

What does this MK II version bring compared with the previous generation?

The body incorporates a brass top plate that increases the mass of the cartridge, improves its mechanical interface with the tonearm and helps control resonances. It also receives an elastomer coating dyed green throughout to tame unwanted vibrations, a thread built into the body to simplify fitting to the headshell, and cryogenic treatment of the critical generator components and output pins.

Which tonearms and turntables is it compatible with?

Its compliance is around 18 at 10 Hz, which gives it great versatility in terms of matching with light or medium mass tonearms. Its higher mass of 8.6 g also makes it compatible with more tonearms, and therefore with more entry-level turntables. Our page on why invest in an MC cartridge covers cartridge and tonearm matching in more detail.

Is there a high output version?

Yes, the E MK II Series is also available in a high output version under the Hana EH MK II reference, listed in our high output MC cartridges section. The EL version itself belongs to the low output MC cartridges range.