Cartridges — HANA SL MK II

The SL MK II is a moving-coil phono cartridge from HANA, sharing the SH MK II's Shibata stylus and tapered aluminium cantilever while offering a considerably lower output voltage. The SL MK II brings HANA's more accomplished current engineering to serious analogue vinyl reproduction.

Key specs that matter

The stylus profile is a Shibata tip, mounted on a tapered aluminium cantilever, matching the SH MK II. Output voltage is a low 0.4mV at 5cm/second, considerably lower than the SH MK II's 2mV. Frequency response spans an exceptionally wide 15Hz to 32,000Hz within plus-or-minus 3dB. Internal impedance is a low 8 ohms at 1kHz, with channel separation at 28dB and compliance at 10 x 10 to the minus 6 cm/dyne at 100Hz. Recommended load is greater than 80 ohms. Weight is 8.6g, matching the SH MK II.

Sound and use context

Expect the exceptionally detailed character HANA's Shibata stylus technology is broadly known for, with the low 0.4mV output demanding a capable MC phono stage or step-up transformer.

Pairing

The low 0.4mV output requires a phono stage with substantial MC gain or a dedicated step-up transformer.

Alternatives

HANA's own SH MK II offers a considerably higher-output alternative sharing the same Shibata stylus technology within the same broader catalogue.