Hana
Hana Shibata Series SL Mark II
Best moving coil cartridge for audiophiles seeking enhanced clarity and dynamics.
The Hana Shibata Series SL Mark II is a low-output moving coil phono cartridge designed to enhance musical performance. It features a new tapered aluminum cantilever for increased rigidity and effective mass reduction, leading to greater clarity and improved music transfer from vinyl. Critical components like the yoke, pole-pieces, and terminal pins undergo cryogenic treatment for a more natural sound. The non-resonant body, inspired by Hana's M Series, is damped with a soft-feel black resin and includes a brass cap with threaded mounting fittings. This cartridge offers better coupling with tonearms for improved bass and dynamics, and its generator incorporates an Alnico magnet and cross-coil with high-purity copper wire for optimized signal-to-noise ratio and higher resolution.
$850.00
More Hana SL Options
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
173
/ 1649
#173 in Turntable Accessories
Price vs Category Average
-33%
Below average
Stylus
Shibata
/ Shibata
Who it's for
- Audiophiles seeking deep musical detail and natural soundstage precision
- Vinyl collectors prioritizing long-term build quality and consistent performance
- Value-conscious listeners wanting high-end performance at a mid-range price
Who should skip it
- Budget-focused listeners avoiding complex, high-gain phono preamplifier requirements
- Casual users prone to accidental handling of delicate turntable components
- Entry-level hobbyists not ready for a significant financial commitment
Performance breakdown
High-Frequency Detail
The Shibata stylus extracts exceptional micro-detail from complex record grooves.
Bass Authority
Brass cap integration provides the rigidity needed for punchy, controlled low-end.
Signal Clarity
Cryogenic treatment effectively minimizes noise for a remarkably clean, natural presentation.
Tracking Precision
Tapered cantilever design maintains stable contact even during demanding musical passages.
Tonearm Compatibility
Threaded mounting fittings make installation and alignment straightforward for most setups.
Dynamic Range
High-purity copper coils deliver impressive resolution across the entire frequency spectrum.
Key Specs
Stylus
Shibata
Cantilever
Tapered Aluminum
Output Level
0.4mV/1KHz
Output Balance
<1.5dB/1 KHz
Vertical Tracking Force
2g
Trackability
70 µm/2g
Channel Separation
28dB/1kHz
Frequency Response
15-32,000Hz
Features
- Enhanced musical performance with improved clarity and punch
- New tapered aluminum cantilever for increased rigidity and reduced tip mass
- Cryogenically treated critical parts for a more natural sound
- Non-resonant body design with damping and brass cap for improved coupling
- Alnico magnet and cross-coil generator for optimized signal-to-noise and resolution
- Improved trackability and bass response
- Compatibility with a wider range of tonearms
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the Hana Shibata Series SL Mark II for its exceptional sound quality and remarkable value. Reviewers frequently highlight its ability to extract intricate details and present a wide, immersive soundstage, making listening sessions truly engaging. Many find its precise tracking and balanced tonal presentation elevate their vinyl experience significantly. The build quality is also frequently noted as robust and reliable, contributing to a sense of lasting satisfaction. This cartridge offers a compelling blend of audiophile performance without an exorbitant price tag.
Know before you buy
The Mark II features a new tapered aluminum cantilever that reduces effective mass and increases rigidity. This results in significantly better clarity, improved bass response, and more precise tracking across your records.
Yes, the cryogenic treatment of the yoke, pole-pieces, and terminal pins is designed to relieve internal stresses in the metal. This process helps the cartridge deliver a more natural, transparent sound profile.
Because this is a low-output moving coil (MC) cartridge with a 0.4mV output, you will need a phono stage that supports MC cartridges with sufficient gain. It is designed to work best with a load impedance greater than 80 ohms.
The brass cap adds mass and provides threaded mounting fittings, which creates a more secure, rigid connection between the cartridge and the headshell. This improved coupling helps the cartridge perform consistently across a wider variety of tonearms.
The Shibata stylus requires precise alignment to extract the most detail from the record groove. While it offers excellent high-frequency resolution, you should ensure your tonearm is properly calibrated for the recommended 2g tracking force to achieve optimal performance.
The Shibata stylus is known for its ability to track complex grooves effectively, which can help breathe new life into older records. However, like any high-resolution cartridge, it will reveal more detail, including surface noise if the record is significantly damaged.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.