Hana E Series Mk II MC Cartridge

All Image Credit: Hana

Founded in 1970 by Masao Okada-san, Excel Sound of Yokohama is a leading Japanese phono cartridge manufacturer, being famous for their Hana range. Every Hana cartridge from the E Series MK II to the flagship Umami Black is hand-built by the same master craftsmen.

Building on their technological advancements and sonic refinements across the Hana lineup, Excel has released the new Hana E Series MK II. Adopting the body shape of the M Series, the E Series MK II also features an elastomer coating that reduces mechanical resonance. While a precision-machined brass cap with threaded mounting holes improves tonearm compatibility and rigidity. These two new models, the EL MKII and ML MKII, feature Moss Green bodies, are priced at; £569.00/ $550.00/ €549.00 and come with a two year warranty.

The E Series remains Hana’s entry point into its moving-coil models, and both of these new Mk II cartridges retain the synthetic elliptical stylus and aluminium cantilever. The bigger changes are happening around the generator and cartridge body. Key magnetic circuit components including the yoke, pole pieces, and gold-plated terminal pins are cryogenically treated to enhance material stability, reduce magnetic distortion and optimize signal transfer.

The EL MK II uses the same Alnico generator with 8Ω coil found in the Hana Umami Blue, ML, and SL MK II, offering high-level performance with ideal compatibility for MC phono stages set to a 100-ohm input impedance.

The EH MK II is optimized for standard MM phono inputs, with its 2mV output and 130Ω coil impedance designed to work into a conventional 47KΩ moving-magnet input.

Both cartridges weigh in at 8.6g, up from the 5g original E Series models, and specify a 2g tracking force. Frequency response is quoted at 15Hz to 25KHz, with channel separation of 25dB at 1KHz and trackability of 70µm at the recommended 2g tracking force.