Hana SL MKII Tapered Cantilever MC Cartridge 0.4mV

Can only ship to USA address!

Trade instructions: If you purchase this cartridge with a trade-in, please note when you check out your total will show the normal sale price of this item and NOT the trade in price. However, when we process your order, you will be charged ONLY the trade in price. When you have received your new Hana cartridge, please carefully pack and ship your trade-in cartridge to us (see our website for address).

Surpassing expectations, the MK II upgrade to Hana's globally best-selling Hana S cartridges enhances both their music performance and value. Master cartridge designer Masao Okada implements a new tapered aluminum cantilever with increased rigidity, resulting in a remarkable improvement transferring groove modulation from vinyl record to the cartridge generator. The S 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 stylus tip, resulting in enhanced clarity and music transfer from vinyl record to cartridge generator.

Cryogenic treatment of critical parts including yoke, pole pieces and gold terminal pins, create a more natural sound.

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.

The heavier S Series MK II cartridges offer better coupling with expanded compatibility to a wider range of tonearms, improving bass and dynamics.

The SL MK II generator, as found on the Umami Blue and ML, incorporates an alnico magnet with a cross-coil using fewer windings of high-purity 30-micron copper wire. This improves signal to noise, reduced moving mass for high resolution and trackability, and optimizes performance for a broader ranger of phono stages.

In every aspect, the Hana SL MK II outperforms the original SL, offering a larger soundstage, better macro and micro dynamics, more openness on the top end, retrieval of more information, and better separation of instruments. In my listening notes, I equated the difference in sound quality was similar to the difference between using worn-out tubes and installing new ones. The MK II outshone the MK I from the first track....This is a no-brainer recommendation for your consideration in this price range.

On my record player, the MK II sounded noticeably speedier, clearer, harder hitting and more alpha than the original SL, which it will be replacing.