BRILLIANT AND GORGEOUS
Tokyo’s Excel Sound Corporation cartridges epitomize exceptional performance and value. Hana translates to “brilliant and gorgeous” and their cartridges use Excel’s best materials including alnico magnets, cross-shaped armatures, and proprietary manufacturing processes.
Hana cartridges are available in two series with your choice of low (L) or (H) high output:
The Hana E Series with its distinctive moss green body and Elliptical stylus are the ideal way to upgrade from “starter” cartridges featuring a sophisticated generator providing true moving coil sound.
The Hana S-Series Shibata cartridges offer authentic high-end performance. Hana’s latest Microline cartridges fit more precisely into the vinyl groove, enhancing tracking to capture the most delicate musical details with better frequency reproduction, stereo imaging, and resolution.
The high-tech Delrin cartridge body features threaded fittings and Brass Cap for a superior mechanical interface and 9.5g weight for expanded compatibility with a wider range of tonearms.
MORE INFORMATION?
For technical specifications, visit the HANA WEBSITE.
For orders and other inquiries, give us a call or email/send us a message using the contact form at the bottom of this page.
HANA SL CARTRIDGE
NZ$1150
DESCRIPTION
The Hana SL is the most reviewed and awarded Hana cartridge to date. It is distinguished by its black body and a Shibata stylus expertly mounted to its aluminum cantilever. The Hana SL features tighter channel balance, greater channel separation, and improved high-frequency extension.
“A first-class MC cartridge” – STEREO (Germany)
“Remarkably smooth frequency response…terrific value for the money.” – HiFi World (UK)
“In the same class as a cartridge costing 10x the price.” – TNT Audio (France)
Stereophile Recommended Component USA
The Absolute Sound USA Golden Ear Award 2017
Rocky Mountain International HiFi Press Award winner 2018 and 2019
Stylus: Nude Diamond Shibata
Output level: 0.5mv/1KHz
Output balance: <1.5dB/1KHZ
Vertical Tracking force: 2gr
Trackability: 70μm/2gr
Channel separation: 28dB/1KHz
Frequency response: 15-32,000Hz
Impedance Inductance: 30Ω/1KHz
Suggested load: 40μH
Impedance: >400Ω
Cartridge weight: 5gr
Body Color: Black
HANA ML CARTRIDGE
NZ$1795
DESCRIPTION
Building upon the foundation of the critically acclaimed HANA sound, the ML aspires toward affordable perfection and represent the further evolution of the “Brilliant and Gorgeous” quality that has earned HANA its worldwide reputation.
M Series Nude Microline stylus – Higher Specification Part
Befitting its name, the M Series uses a Nude Microline stylus, mimicking the cutting stylus and fitting more precisely into the vinyl groove. This enhances tracking to capture the most delicate musical details with better frequency reproduction, stereo imaging, and resolution.
High Purity copper wire – Higher Specification Part
Very high-purity copper wire is used for winding the ML coil with a new low impedance generator for optimized performance with a broader range of phono preamps
Delrin© cartridge body – Advanced Materials
The M Series cartridge body is injection molded from Delrin©, a high-tech polymer with improved mechanical characteristics for better resonance damping, to reveal more low level information and enhance dynamic range.
Cryogenic Processing – Unique Technical Treatment
Cryogenic processing is Cold Annealing at near absolute zero temperature that restructures metals at the molecular level, especially important in the Alnico based magnetic electro-motive circuit (cartridge signal generator). The M Series parts treated include the front yoke as well as center and rear components. The result is a more precise and controlled magnetic flux field for greater linearity and musical sound quality.
Brass Cap with Threaded fittings – Superior Mechanical Interface
The Delrin© cartridge body features an integral machined brass cap providing constrained mode layer damping and its heavier 9.5 gram weight provides expanded compatibility with a wider range of tonearms and turntables.
Built into the M Series Delrin© cartridge body are metal threaded fittings for headshell mounting hardware, offering easier attachment and a superior mechanical interface for better bass and dynamics.
Stylus: Nude Microline
Cantilever: Aluminium
Magnet: Alnico
Coil Wire: Very High Purity Copper
Cartridge Housing/Base: POM/Brass
Output Level: 0.2mV (ML)
Output Level: 2.0mV (MH)
Rec. Tracking Force: 2g
Trackability: 70µ/2g
Compliance: 10×10-6 cm/dyne
Channel Separation: 30dB @ 1kHz
Frequency Range: 12Hz to 45kHz
Impedance: 8Ω (ML)
Impedance: 100Ω (MH)
Suggested Load Impedance: 47kΩ (MH)
Body Colour: Black
HANA UMAMI BLUE CARTRIDGE
NZ$
DESCRIPTION
The HANA-Umami Way
The HANA-Umami Blue high-end moving coil cartridge combines the vision of Master cartridge designer Okada-san with the history of unique materials, classic Japanese techniques, and modern audio engineering. The Auricle™ body design, unique and exclusive to our Umami series, is CNC machined from Duralumin. Sharing key Umami Red ingredients, including the precision-cut diamond stylus, Boron cantilever, and high-purity copper wires, then combining these with the Alnico magnet-based generator found in the famous Hana ML, creates the exceptionally musical Umami Blue.
This synergistic relationship in MC cartridge design between specific materials, unique body design, a sophisticated generator, and hand-built precision is critical for outstanding cartridge performance. This creates a memorable and emotional experience, reminiscent of a meal at a Michelin 3-star restaurant, with every element and detail working in concert.
All the major parts in a HANA-Umami Blue are manufactured in-house by Excel Sound with its rich history spanning over 50 years. Excel’s highly trained craftsmen skillfully hand assemble the HANA-Umami Blue ensuring an intensely musical experience furthering the HANA “Brilliant and Gorgeous” sound quality.
HANA UMAMI RED CARTRIDGE
NZ$6300
DESCRIPTION
The HANA-Umami Way
The HANA-Umami Red high-end moving coil cartridge combines brilliant materials and classic Japanese techniques with modern audio engineering. Ebony wood, rare-earth magnets, precision-cut diamond, high-purity copper wires, Urushi lacquering, and CNC machined Duralumin synergize under the vision of Hana designer Okada-san.
The synergistic relationship in MC generators between magnet, armature, and coil windings is a critical aspect of outstanding cartridge design; and like a signature dish at a Michelin 3-star restaurant, every element and detail working in concert results in a memorable and emotional experience.
All the major parts in a HANA-Umami Red are manufactured in house by Excel Sound with its rich history spanning over 50 years. Excel’s highly trained craftsmen skillfully hand assemble the HANA-Umami Red ensuring an intensely musical experience furthering the HANA “Brilliant and Gorgeous” sound quality.
Drawing on 50 years of experience making cartridges sold under other brand names, Okada-san has added a checklist of exotic parts and processes.
A boron cantilever with nude Microline stylus, cryogenically treated coil system of hand-wound high purity copper and a body of A7075 Duralumin & Ebony finished with multilayered Urushi lacquer Even lower coil resistance and tighter tolerances improve output balance and frequency response.
Umami Sound – Wonderful Taste in Music
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