HANA EL MK II Moving Coil Phono Cartridge

The HANA EL MK II is the second-generation low-output E series cartridge, and the coil is where it changed most. Hana dropped the internal impedance from 30 ohms to 8, the same winding first developed for the ML and carried into the SL MK II, so the EL MK II now loads at 80 ohms and up instead of 300. Output sits at 0.4mV with a synthetic elliptical stylus on an aluminum cantilever.

Key Features of HANA EL MK II Phono Cartridge

• 8-ohm coil winding from the ML and SL MK II: the updated winding design drops internal impedance from the original EL's 30 ohms to 8, with a suggested load above 80 ohms, for a closer match to moving coil phono stages.
• 0.4mV low output at 1kHz: needs an MC phono input or a step-up transformer, with output balance held inside 1.5dB between channels.
• Brass cap body borrowed from the M series: the updated body adds mass for vibration control and brings threaded mounting, so the cartridge bolts to the headshell without loose nuts.
• Cryogenically treated generator components and output pins: the same treatment Hana applies across the Umami series and the rest of the range, for conductivity and signal purity.
• Elastomeric body coating: shared with the whole Hana line, damping the body for resonance control.
• Synthetic elliptical stylus, alnico magnet: the elliptical diamond profile the E series is named for, driven by the alnico generator Hana has kept through every generation.
• Hand-built by Excel Sound in Yokohama: founded by Masao Okada-san in 1970, still handcrafting every model from the E series MK II up to the Umami Black.
• 2-year warranty: covered through Hana's US distributor, Musical Surroundings.

The 8-Ohm Coil and What It Changes

The original EL ran a 30-ohm generator and asked for a load above 300 ohms. The MK II runs 8 ohms and asks for 80 ohms and up. That winding was developed first for the ML and then went into the SL MK II, and Hana's stated reason for bringing it down to the E series is a more ideal interface with moving coil phono stages: a lower source impedance is easier for an MC input to load correctly, and it widens the range of settings that will sound right on a phono stage with switchable loading. Output drops slightly, from 0.5mV to 0.4mV, so the gain requirement is unchanged in practice. This is still a cartridge for an MC phono stage or a step-up transformer, not for an MM input.

Brass Cap Body and Threaded Mounting

The MK II body comes from the M series design, with a brass cap that adds mass. Extra mass at the top of the body is there for vibration control, and the second half of the change matters just as much on setup day: the body is threaded, so the mounting screws thread straight into the cartridge instead of needing nuts held in place above the headshell. Total cartridge weight rises to 8.6 grams from the original EL's 5 grams, which moves the EL MK II into the same mass bracket as the SL MK II and suits mid-mass tonearms more readily than the lighter first-generation body did.

Cryogenic Treatment and Elastomeric Coating

Two refinements arrive from the top of the range. The critical generator components and the output pins are cryogenically treated, which Hana applies across the Umami series and the entire current line to improve conductivity and signal purity through the connections that carry the smallest voltages in the system. The body is then finished in an elastomeric coating, the same treatment used across the range for resonance control, which is also what gives the E series MK II its moss green textured surface.

Synthetic Elliptical Stylus on Aluminum Cantilever

The E in E series stands for elliptical, and that is still the stylus profile here: a synthetic elliptical diamond on a straight aluminum cantilever, tracking at 2 grams with 70 microns of trackability. The elliptical sits deeper in the groove than a conical and reads more high-frequency detail per pass, while staying less sensitive to azimuth error than the line-contact profiles used on the S MK II and M series. Channel separation is rated at 25dB at 1kHz and frequency response runs 15Hz to 25,000Hz.

What Changed From the Original EL

Four things, and they are all structural rather than cosmetic. The coil went from 30 ohms to 8 with the load recommendation moving from above 300 ohms to above 80. Output went from 0.5mV to 0.4mV. The body gained the M series brass cap and threaded mounting, taking weight from 5 grams to 8.6. And the generator components, output pins and body finish now match what Hana does on the Umami series. The stylus profile, cantilever material, alnico magnet, tracking force, trackability, channel separation and frequency response all carry over unchanged.

Where the EL MK II fits in the Hana line

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 exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. 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.

HANA EL MK II Phono Cartridge Specifications