Hana Hana SL Mono MK II
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
82/100
Features Usability
83/100
Value for Money
92/100
The Hana SL Mono MK II brings quiet groove tracking, controlled bass and vivid midrange texture to treasured mono pressings. StereoNET found it uncovers hidden musical depth, while The Audio Beatnik praised its full-bodied scale, lifelike voices and dynamic drama. A compelling specialist MC for authentic, focused monaural playback.
Pros
Tracks older mono records more quietly than stereo cartridges, substantially reducing spurious groove noise.
Delivers punchy, controlled and weighty bass without bloom, alongside strong rhythmic drive and dynamics.
Recovers fine midrange and treble detail, with clear vocals and convincing separation within the mono image.
Offers strong specialist value; reviewers found its musical performance competitive with pricier dedicated mono cartridges.
Cons
Its low-output moving-coil design requires a suitably configurable MC phono stage or step-up transformer for correct gain and loading.
The 0.7 mil Shibata profile is best suited to later or modern mono pressings; very early mono records may ideally need a larger 1 mil stylus.
Compared with some premium mono rivals, it gives up a little midrange bloom and tonal colour.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviews describe an unusually involving mono presentation: punchy, rhythmically assured, richly textured and highly revealing of the information in vintage pressings. It combines powerful, controlled bass and vivid dynamics with focused placement of voices and instruments.
Overall Sound
94/100
StereoNET found the SL Mono impactful, raw and rhythmically compelling, while The Audio Beatnik heard full-bodied, colourful and lifelike music. The Audiophile Man similarly praised its gentle clarity, precision and focused, controlled balance; one reviewer noted slightly less midrange bloom and tonal colour than some alternatives.
Tracking Retrieval
95/100
The Audio Beatnik called it an outstanding tracker that played older mono records more quietly and tracked them better than stereo cartridges. StereoNET reported markedly reduced groove noise and described the cartridge as uncovering previously hidden depth and treble information, while The Audiophile Man praised its access to small vocal and midrange details.
Soundstage Imaging
80/100
As a mono cartridge, spatial stereo imaging is not applicable. Within its intended monophonic presentation, reviewers nevertheless heard a notably focused, coherent image, with convincing separation between musical lines and voices that projected naturally into the room.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 83/100
Tonearm compatibility / system fit.
Tonearm Compatibility
83/100
Its 8.6g weight and 2g tracking force should make physical matching straightforward with many conventional tonearms. However, this is a 0.4mV low-output moving-coil design requiring an appropriate MC phono stage or step-up device and loading of at least 230 ohms, while its dedicated mono purpose makes it a specialist rather than an all-records cartridge.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
82/100
The SL Mono MK II uses a Shibata stylus, tapered aluminium cantilever and a sensibly substantial 8.6g body, with a two-year warranty. Reviewers say little about long-term durability, body finish or generator assembly, so there is limited direct evidence beyond the stated design and successful use.
Value for Money
92/100
At roughly $699-$850, the SL Mono sits in the specialist moving-coil mono-cartridge market rather than the entry-level mono category. The Audio Beatnik called it “quite a bargain,” and The Audiophile Man found nothing negative at its price; against comparable dedicated low-output MC mono options, reviewers regard its tracking, quietness and musical insight as strongly competitive.
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Specifications
- Stylus
- Shibata
- Cantilever
- Tapered Aluminum
- Output Level
- 0.4mV/1KHz
- Output Balance
- <1.5dB/1 KHz
- Vertical Tracking Force
- 2g
- Trackability
- 70 µm/2g
- Frequency Response
- 15-32,000Hz
- Impedance
- 23Ω/1kHz
- Suggested Load Impedance
- ≥230Ω
- Cartridge Weight
- 8.6g
- Body Color
- Black
- Warranty
- 2 years
Manufacturer's Description — Hana
The MK II upgrade to our globally best-selling Hana S series cartridges enhances their musical performance and value. Master cartridge designer Masao Okada-san implements a new tapered Aluminum cantilever with increased rigidity, resulting in a remarkable improvement in transferring groove modulation from the vinyl record to the cartridge generator. The S Series 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 the stylus tip. This results in greater clarity and increased music transfer from vinyl records to cartridge generator.
Critical parts, including the Yoke, Pole-pieces, and gold Terminal pins, have been cryogenically treated for a more natural sound.
The 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 fittings. The heavier MK II cartridges offer better coupling and expanded compatibility with a wider range of tonearms, improving bass and dynamics.
The SL MONO MK II two-coil design and unique Shibata diamond needle profile will ensure you get the best possible detail and accuracy from your mono records.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Hana Hana SL Mono MK II
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Audio Association — in-store — Anaheim, California, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Acoustic Image — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustic Streams — in-store — Lower Drift, England, United Kingdom (website)
- AES — in-store — Mitte, Hessen, Germany (website)
and 255 more verified dealers