Hana
Hana Mono SL Mark II
Best moving coil cartridge for audiophiles seeking superior mono vinyl playback.
Experience unparalleled detail retrieval with the Hana Mono SL Mark II phono cartridge. Designed for audiophiles, this advanced moving coil cartridge from Hana's S Series MK II line offers enhanced clarity and superior music transfer. Its innovative construction features a new tapered aluminum cantilever for increased rigidity and reduced effective mass at the stylus tip. Finished in a sleek black body, the Mono SL Mark II is an exceptional upgrade for serious music lovers seeking to unlock the full potential of their vinyl collection.
$850.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
122
/ 1649
#122 in Turntable Accessories
Price vs Category Average
-33%
Below average
Stylus
Nude Diamond Shibata
/ Nude Diamond Shibata
Who it's for
- Vinyl enthusiasts wanting to eliminate vertical rumble from mono playback
- Audiophiles seeking authentic detail from vintage mono record collections
- Listeners prioritizing sonic transparency and high-end component construction
Who should skip it
- Beginners intimidated by precise tonearm calibration and cartridge matching
- Budget-conscious listeners lacking high-gain phono stages or step-up transformers
- Casual listeners who do not exclusively collect monophonic vinyl
Performance breakdown
Detail Retrieval
The Shibata stylus extracts microscopic nuances from deep within the groove.
Tracking Accuracy
Tapered aluminum cantilever design ensures precise, stable playback across the record.
Sonic Clarity
Moving coil technology delivers a clean, transparent soundstage for mono recordings.
Build Quality
Rigid construction and premium materials provide a durable, high-performance foundation.
Frequency Range
Wide response spectrum captures everything from deep bass to airy highs.
System Compatibility
Standard weight and impedance make it an easy match for most systems.
Key Specs
Stylus
Nude Diamond Shibata
Cantilever
Tapered Aluminum
Magnet
Alnico
Output level
0.4mV/1kHz
Vertical tracking force
2gr
Frequency response
15-32,000Hz
Impedance
23Ω
Cartridge weight
8.6gr
Features
- Exceptional detail retrieval from vinyl
- Enhanced clarity and music transfer
- New tapered aluminum cantilever design
- Increased rigidity for accurate playback
- Reduced effective mass at stylus tip
- High-performance moving coil technology
- Sleek black body finish
- Optimized for superior vinyl playback
What customers say
The Hana Mono SL Mark II cartridge is highly praised by audiophiles for its exceptional performance in monophonic vinyl playback. Reviewers consistently highlight its ability to retrieve nuanced detail and natural timbre, significantly reducing surface noise compared to other setups. The sonic signature is described as articulate and dynamic, offering a surprisingly deep soundstage that revitalizes classic recordings. A major theme is its outstanding value; many consider it a giant killer, rivaling much costlier dedicated mono cartridges. Build quality is robust and reliable. The only consideration is the low output requiring a high gain phono stage. For those with proper system matching, it delivers a reference level mono experience.
Know before you buy
This is a moving coil (MC) cartridge with a 0.4mV output, so you will need a phono stage that supports MC cartridges. Ensure your preamp or phono stage can handle a 23Ω impedance for the best performance.
The Nude Diamond Shibata stylus is designed to track the groove more precisely than standard elliptical shapes. This allows it to extract more detail and high-frequency information from your mono records while reducing surface noise.
The Hana Mono SL Mark II is optimized for a vertical tracking force of exactly 2 grams. Using a high-quality tracking force gauge during installation is recommended to ensure you hit this target accurately.
The tapered design increases the rigidity of the cantilever while reducing its effective mass at the stylus tip. This results in faster, more accurate transient response and better overall clarity compared to non-tapered designs.
Yes, it is designed specifically for mono playback. Because it is a dedicated mono cartridge, it will provide a more stable, focused soundstage and lower background noise when playing back mono pressings compared to using a stereo cartridge.
At 8.6 grams, this cartridge is compatible with most standard tonearms. However, you should verify that your tonearm's counterweight can balance a cartridge of this mass and that your headshell allows for the necessary alignment.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.