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Hana Hana SL 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.
The SL MK II generator, as found in the Umami Blue and ML, incorporates an Alnico magnet and cross-coil using high-purity 30-micron copper wire with an 8Ω impedance. This improves signal-to-noise, reduces moving mass for higher resolution and trackability, and optimizes performance for a broader range of phono stages.
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Professional Reviews 92/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Usability
88/100
Value for Money
94/100
The Hana SL MK II combines spacious imaging, natural vocal texture and slightly warm, dynamic drive in an unusually engaging low-output moving-coil package. In Tracking Angle's evaluation, the revised Shibata/tapered-aluminium design delivered stronger separation, detail and musical flow than its predecessor, while the brass-topped threaded body improves mounting and tonearm compatibility. A refined, value-led route to immersive vinyl playback.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Spacious soundstage with improved instrumental separation, macro- and microdynamics, and information retrieval over the original SL.
Slightly warm yet coherent presentation with natural vocals, dynamic and detailed bass, and an engaging musical flow through complex material.
Threaded mounting holes, brass top plate and 8.6g body improve installation, headshell coupling and compatibility with a broader range of tonearms.
Strong value: the modest price increase was judged small relative to the substantial audible improvement.
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Cons
Does not deliver the ultimate top-end openness or deepest bass extension of more expensive cartridges.
The retained stylus guard is considered awkward to fit, making handling less convenient than it could be.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers find the SL MK II notably more open, informative and dynamically alive than its predecessor, while retaining a slightly warm and musically easygoing balance. Its spacious presentation, natural vocals and ability to unravel dense material make it especially appealing for listeners wanting detail without an analytical edge.
Overall Sound
93/100
Tracking Angle calls the MK II a major advance over the original, citing greater openness, information retrieval, instrumental separation and macro- and microdynamic expression. It is described as slightly warm yet lively and coherent, with natural vocals, detailed bass and an engaging musical flow. StereoNET's review of the earlier SL similarly praised its balanced response, transparency, neutrality and long-session, non-fatiguing character, while noting that far more expensive cartridges can offer greater tonal weight and extension.
Tracking Retrieval
91/100
The nude Shibata stylus and revised tapered aluminium cantilever are accompanied by strong listening evidence: the MK II exposes more instrumental and low-level information, and handles complex music with ease. Reviewers also heard convincing preservation of subtle vocal phrasing and dynamic shifts. The supplied review material does not specifically assess inner-groove distortion or difficult-track mistracking.
Soundstage Imaging
92/100
The MK II is reported to open up the whole soundstage versus the original SL, with better separation between instruments. StereoNET heard a huge, wall-to-wall stage with commendable front-to-back depth from the SL platform. These accounts point to a broad, spacious presentation rather than merely a wider but flatter image.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 88/100
Tonearm compatibility / system fit. The 8.6g body and brass top plate are said to improve coupling to the headshell and make the MK II suitable for a broader range of tonearms than the lighter original. As a 0.4mV moving-coil design with a suggested load above 80 ohms, it still needs an appropriately quiet MC phono stage and thoughtful loading setup.
Tonearm Compatibility
88/100
The revised 8.6g weight is specifically credited with broader tonearm compatibility and better headshell coupling, while threaded holes simplify installation. Its 10 compliance and 2g tracking-force specification should suit many conventional medium-mass arms. However, the low-output MC generator requires compatible phono gain and loading, so it is less plug-and-play than a typical high-output or moving-magnet cartridge.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
The MK II uses a nude Shibata diamond on a more rigid tapered aluminium cantilever, along with cryogenically treated generator parts, resonance-controlling elastomeric coating and a brass top plate. The threaded mounting holes are a meaningful practical refinement, and inspection of the related SL design found the stylus neatly fitted with no excess adhesive. Reviewers say little about long-term durability.
Value for Money
94/100
At roughly $699-$850, the price increase over the original SL is called a bargain in relation to the audible improvement. The earlier SL was warmly recommended as a value-focused moving coil that could challenge cartridges around $1,500, and the MK II is described as delivering exceptional musical value. That praise is particularly persuasive for buyers with capable mid- to upper-mid-level turntables and phono stages.
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Authorized dealers for Hana Hana SL 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