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Hana Hana SH MK II
The MK II upgrade to our globally best-selling Hana S series cartridges enhances their musical performance and value. Master cartridge designer Masao Okada-san implements a new tapered Aluminum cantilever with increased rigidity, resulting in a remarkable improvement in transferring groove modulation from the vinyl record to the cartridge generator. The S Series MK II cartridges feature higher specified parts, advanced materials, and unique technical processes from Hana’s higher-priced elite cartridge models, furthering the Hana “brilliant and gorgeous” sound.
Hana S Series MK II cartridges use a new tapered aluminum cantilever with higher rigidity and effective mass reduction at the stylus tip. This results in greater clarity and increased music transfer from vinyl records to cartridge generator.
Critical parts, including the Yoke, Pole-pieces, and gold Terminal pins, have been cryogenically treated for a more natural sound.
The improved, non-resonant body shape, modeled after the Hana M Series, is damped with a matte Soft Feel Black elastomeric resin paint and features a brass cap with threaded cartridge mounting fittings. The heavier MK II cartridges offer better coupling and expanded compatibility with a wider range of tonearms, improving bass and dynamics.
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Professional Reviews 91/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
91/100
Build Quality
93/100
Features Usability
88/100
Value for Money
92/100
The Hana SH MK II brings a wide, vivid soundstage, superb texture and an immediate high-output moving-coil character to MM-friendly phono stages. Positive Feedback found its fine-detail retrieval, controlled bass and deft tracking especially accomplished, while the Shibata stylus delivers convincing tonal color without aggressive treble glare. It is a refined, energetic route into serious vinyl playback.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Wide, involving soundstage with rich tonal color and strong musical engagement.
Superb fine-detail and texture retrieval without overemphasizing upper frequencies.
Deft tracking, controlled low frequencies and seemingly excellent build quality.
High-output design offers practical compatibility with moving-magnet phono inputs while delivering sophisticated MC performance.
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Cons
Bass is controlled rather than especially full or weighty.
Soundstage depth is less exceptional than its impressive width.
Careful stylus-rake-angle adjustment and a suitably substantial headshell are needed to avoid sibilance and realize its best dynamics.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
The Hana SH is described as big, controlled and highly detailed without pushing the upper frequencies forward. Its presentation is notably wide and forceful, though listeners wanting especially full bass or deep soundstage perspective may prefer another balance.
Overall Sound
92/100
Positive Feedback found the sound large-scale without becoming oversized, with superb fine detail and texture that did not spotlight the treble. Bass is said to be controlled rather than notably ample, while the cartridge also brings a forceful, immediate character.
Tracking Retrieval
91/100
The review calls tracking deft and finds fine-detail retrieval superb, supporting a very accomplished reading of complex groove information. Careful stylus-rake-angle adjustment is important, however: poor setup can introduce sibilance and other unpleasant artifacts.
Soundstage Imaging
89/100
The cartridge produced a wide soundstage that the reviewer considered unusually impressive for its price. Depth was less exceptional, with the stage described as not quite as deep as it was broad.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 88/100
Tonearm compatibility / system fit.
Tonearm Compatibility
88/100
Its 8.6g body weight, 2mV high-output moving-coil output and 47kΩ suggested loading make it a relatively straightforward fit for many conventional moving-magnet-capable phono stages and tonearms. It is not entirely plug-and-play, as the review stresses that precise stylus-rake-angle adjustment is needed to avoid sibilance and hear it at its best.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
93/100
Positive Feedback describes the cartridge's build quality as seemingly perfect. The Shibata stylus and tapered aluminum cantilever are suitably purposeful specifications, though the review offers limited detail on long-term durability.
Value for Money
92/100
At roughly $699-$850, the Hana SH is explicitly called a great value despite not matching the historic bargain status of the Denon referenced by the reviewer. Positive Feedback also calls it the most sophisticated high-output moving-coil cartridge the writer had heard at this price.
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Authorized dealers for Hana Hana SH MK II
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Audio Association — in-store — Anaheim, California, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustic Streams — in-store — Lower Drift, England, United Kingdom (website)
- AES — in-store — Mitte, Hessen, Germany (website)
- ALAIN CHOUKROUN — online and in-store — Paris, Île-de-France, France (website)
and 234 more verified dealers