HANA SL Mono MK II Moving Coil Phono Cartridge

The Hana SL Mono MK II is a dedicated instrument built to extract the full depth, punch, and soul of your monaural record collection. It is not merely a stereo cartridge modified for mono playback; it is a ground-up design featuring a dedicated mono generator with a dual-coil structure. This MK II evolution integrates the same advanced "trickle-down" technologies found in the acclaimed stereo SL MK II—including a new tapered aluminum cantilever, cryogenically treated components, and a resonance-optimized body—while optimizing the electrical engine specifically for mono reproduction. With its nude Shibata stylus, the SL Mono MK II digs deep into the groove to deliver a sound that is shockingly quiet, incredibly stable, and alive with the focused energy that only true mono can provide.

Key Features:

• Dedicated Mono Generator: Features a specialized dual-coil mono generator structure designed to ignore vertical modulation (noise), ensuring a quieter background and purer signal.
• Tapered Aluminum Cantilever: A new, rigid tapered cantilever reduces moving mass at the stylus tip for enhanced detail retrieval and superior tracking of dynamic mono grooves.
• Nude Shibata Stylus: The exquisite Shibata stylus profile ensures maximum groove contact, retrieving high-frequency detail often lost by spherical styli commonly found on mono carts.
• Cryogenic Treatment: Critical magnetic components, including the yoke and pole pieces, are cryogenically treated to refine the molecular structure for a more natural sound.
• Alnico Magnet System: Utilizes a high-quality Alnico magnet for a classic, linear, and saturation-free magnetic flux, imparting a warm and natural musicality.
• M-Series Body Design: The improved, heavier body features a brass cap with threaded mounting fittings and a matte "Soft Feel" elastomeric paint to damp resonance.

True Mono Performance

While a stereo cartridge can play mono records, it picks up vertical noise from groove imperfections and dust. The SL Mono MK II utilizes a dedicated generator designed to optimize the lateral (horizontal) signal while minimizing sensitivity to vertical noise. This results in a dramatic reduction in surface noise and a stable, centered image that feels solid and tangible. When combined with the dual-coil structure, it ensures compatibility with modern stereo systems (playing through both speakers) while delivering the authentic, punchy mono experience.

Modern Precision for Vintage Soul

The SL Mono MK II brings modern high-fidelity engineering to vintage playback. The new tapered aluminum cantilever is stiffer and lighter than its predecessor, allowing for faster transient response and cleaner tracking. Unlike many mono cartridges that use conical styli, the SL Mono MK II employs a Nude Shibata stylus. This advanced profile traces the groove walls with greater precision, extracting high-frequency air and detail that lesser styli simply miss, revealing the "breath" and space in recordings from the golden age of vinyl.

Elite Construction

Sharing the physical upgrades of the stereo MK II, the Mono version features a resonance-controlled body modeled after the elite M Series. It is coated in a matte "Soft Feel" black elastomeric paint that damps micro-vibrations. The addition of a machined brass top cap not only adds mass for better tonearm coupling but also includes threaded mounting holes, making installation straight-forward and secure without the need for nuts.

The Listening Room Difference

We’re a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on trust, not hype. Whether you’re visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don’t just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.

Specifications