Audio T Verdict
The HANA E Series MKII offers two routes into moving-coil cartridge ownership. The EH MKII is a 2mV high-output design intended for a suitable 47k-ohm phono input, while the EL MKII produces 0.4mV and is designed for a dedicated low-output moving-coil phono stage.
Both versions share the same synthetic elliptical stylus, aluminium cantilever, revised body, rigid brass cap, threaded mounting holes and elastomeric coating. Critical generator components and the gold-plated output pins are also cryogenically treated.
The practical improvements are particularly welcome. Threaded mounting removes the need to juggle separate nuts beneath the headshell, while the ML-derived body shape and added damping provide the generator with a more controlled mechanical platform.
The EL MKII goes further with an 8-ohm coil winding originally developed for the HANA ML and subsequently used in the SL MKII. It also uses the same Alnico-based generator found in the HANA Umami Blue and ML.
Neither output option is automatically better. The right choice depends on the phono stage already in your system. A properly matched EH MKII will outperform an EL MKII connected to an unsuitable input, while the EL MKII is designed to make the most of a capable low-output MC stage.
HANA E Series MKII Moving Coil Cartridges
Originally introduced in 2015, the HANA E Series established itself as an accessible entry point into moving-coil cartridges. The second-generation E Series retains the essential design principles of the originals while introducing engineering developed for HANA models further up the range.
The E in E Series refers to the elliptical diamond stylus fitted to both cartridges. Customers can choose between the high-output EH MKII and low-output EL MKII, allowing the cartridge to be matched correctly to the available phono stage.
Choose Your Output Version
EH MKII - High Output
- High-output moving-coil design
- 2mV output at 1kHz
- 130-ohm coil impedance
- 47k-ohm suggested loading
- Designed for a suitable 47k-ohm phono input
- Does not require a conventional low-output MC input
EL MKII - Low Output
- Low-output moving-coil design
- 0.4mV output at 1kHz
- 8-ohm coil impedance
- At least 80-ohm suggested loading
- Requires a suitable low-output MC phono stage
- Revised coil winding developed from the HANA ML
Which Version Should I Choose?
Choose the EH MKII if your system has a suitable 47k-ohm phono input with sufficient gain for a 2mV cartridge.
Choose the EL MKII if you already have a quiet and capable low-output moving-coil phono stage that can provide the required gain and a load of at least 80 ohms.
Key Shared Features
- Moving-coil generator
- Synthetic elliptical stylus
- Aluminium cantilever
- Alnico magnet
- Rigid brass top cap
- Threaded mounting holes
- ML-derived body shape
- Elastomeric body coating
- Cryogenically treated yoke and pole pieces
- Cryogenically treated gold-plated output pins
- 15Hz to 25kHz frequency response
- 25dB channel separation at 1kHz
- Less than 1.5dB output balance at 1kHz
- 70µm trackability at 2g
- 2g vertical tracking force
- 8.6g cartridge weight
- Moss Green finish
- Handcrafted in Yokohama, Japan
A Proper Second-Generation E Series
HANA has not simply changed the finish or added a new badge. The E Series MKII incorporates developments introduced through the M Series, Umami range and S Series MKII.
The redesigned body, rigid brass cap and elastomeric coating are intended to control unwanted vibration more effectively, while the revised shape expands compatibility with a wider range of tonearms.
Threaded mounting holes make installation cleaner and less fiddly, although accurate cartridge alignment, tracking force and bias remain essential.
Synthetic Elliptical Stylus
Both versions use a synthetic elliptical diamond stylus. An elliptical stylus uses different radii along its two axes, allowing it to follow finer groove modulation than a basic spherical profile.
The design offers a practical balance between detailed groove tracing, good high-frequency tracking and relatively straightforward cartridge setup.
Accurate Alignment Still Matters
An elliptical stylus may be relatively forgiving, but overhang, offset angle, tracking force and bias must still be set correctly. Poor alignment can increase distortion, compromise tracking and contribute to unnecessary stylus or record wear.
Aluminium Cantilever
The stylus is fitted to an aluminium cantilever. This must transmit extremely small movements from the record groove to the moving-coil generator while remaining light and sufficiently rigid.
HANA has retained aluminium as part of the established E Series design while refining the body and generator around it.
Rigid Brass Cap
A rigid brass cap adds mass and stiffness to the cartridge body. HANA uses this structure to reduce unwanted mechanical vibration and provide the generator with a more stable operating platform.
The additional control is intended to help the cartridge recover low-level information without allowing the body itself to contribute unnecessary resonance.
Threaded Mounting Holes
The brass cap incorporates threaded mounting holes, allowing the cartridge to be secured from above without separate nuts beneath the headshell.
This makes physical installation considerably less fiddly, although the cartridge must still be aligned correctly for the geometry of the chosen turntable and tonearm.
ML-Derived Body Shape
The revised body shape is derived from HANA's ML cartridge. HANA says this expands compatibility with a wider range of tonearms while contributing to improved vibration control, bass authority and dynamic expression.
Cartridge weight, tracking force, counterweight range, headshell clearance and the tonearm's effective mass should all be considered when assessing compatibility.
Elastomeric Body Damping
The body is finished with an elastomeric coating. This adds damping around the cartridge structure, helping to control resonances before they interfere with the very small signal produced by the generator.
The coating is applied across the distinctive Moss Green body shared by both output versions.
Cryogenically Treated Components
Critical generator components, including the yoke and pole pieces, undergo cryogenic treatment. The gold-plated output terminal pins receive the same treatment.
HANA says this process improves material integrity, conductivity and signal transfer. This is particularly important within a moving-coil cartridge, where the electrical signal begins at an extremely low level.
EH MKII High-Output Generator
The EH MKII produces:
2mV at 1kHz.
Its internal coil impedance is 130 ohms, with HANA recommending a phono-stage load of 47k ohms.
This is the standard resistance used by most moving-magnet phono inputs, allowing the EH MKII to be used without a conventional low-output moving-coil input or step-up transformer.
Check the Available Phono-Stage Gain
Although the EH MKII is a high-output moving-coil cartridge, its 2mV output is lower than that of many moving-magnet designs.
Confirm that the chosen 47k-ohm phono stage provides enough gain for comfortable listening without introducing excessive noise.
EL MKII Low-Output Generator
The EL MKII produces:
0.4mV at 1kHz.
Its revised coil winding has an impedance of 8 ohms, with HANA recommending a phono-stage load of at least 80 ohms.
This winding design was first developed for the HANA ML and subsequently incorporated into the SL MKII. HANA says it provides a more suitable electrical interface with a wider range of moving-coil phono stages.
The EL MKII also uses the same Alnico-based generator found in the HANA Umami Blue and ML cartridges.
A Standard MM Input Is Not Suitable
A conventional moving-magnet input does not normally provide enough gain for the EL MKII's 0.4mV output.
Use a suitable low-noise moving-coil phono stage, amplifier MC input or another correctly matched moving-coil solution.
Gain and Loading Are Separate Settings
Resistance loading and signal gain perform different jobs. The EL MKII requires both a suitable resistance setting for its 8-ohm generator and enough low-noise gain for its 0.4mV output.
Frequency Response and Channel Performance
Both versions have a specified frequency response of 15Hz to 25kHz, channel separation of 25dB at 1kHz and output balance of less than 1.5dB at 1kHz.
Channel separation describes how effectively the cartridge keeps the information recovered from the left and right groove walls distinct. Output balance states the permitted level difference between the two channels.
Trackability
Trackability is specified at:
70µm at 2g.
This figure should be considered alongside correct alignment, clean records, accurate tracking force and appropriate bias adjustment.
2g Vertical Tracking Force
HANA specifies a vertical tracking force of:
2g.
Use an accurate stylus-force gauge to confirm the final setting at the stylus rather than relying solely on the markings around a tonearm counterweight.
Do Not Deliberately Track Too Lightly
Reducing tracking force below the manufacturer's specification does not automatically protect records. Too little force can allow the stylus to mistrack and lose stable contact with the groove.
8.6g Cartridge Weight
Both versions weigh 8.6g. This should suit many modern tonearms, but the available counterweight range and mechanical compatibility should be checked before installation.
Professional Cartridge Fitting
Correct cartridge installation may involve:
- Physical mounting
- Overhang adjustment
- Offset-angle alignment
- Tracking-force setup
- Bias or anti-skate adjustment
- Tonearm-height adjustment where available
- Azimuth adjustment where available
- Counterweight-range checking
- Phono-stage gain and loading setup
If you are not confident carrying out these adjustments accurately, professional fitting is worthwhile. A cartridge can only perform properly when its mechanical and electrical setup are both correct.
Which HANA E Series MKII Is Right for You?
Choose the EH MKII If...
- You have a suitable 47k-ohm phono input
- Your phono stage has enough gain for a 2mV cartridge
- You do not have a dedicated low-output MC input
- You want straightforward phono-stage loading
- You are moving from MM to moving coil
Choose the EL MKII If...
- You have a suitable low-output MC phono stage
- Your phono stage can provide clean gain for 0.4mV
- You can select a load of at least 80 ohms
- You want the revised 8-ohm coil winding
- You want the Alnico-based generator used in the ML and Umami Blue
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the HANA E Series MKII cartridges moving magnet or moving coil?
Both versions are moving-coil cartridges.
What is the difference between EH MKII and EL MKII?
The EH MKII is the 2mV high-output version for 47k-ohm loading. The EL MKII is the 0.4mV low-output version with 8-ohm coils and recommended loading of at least 80 ohms.
Which version works with a moving-magnet phono input?
The high-output EH MKII is designed for a suitable 47k-ohm input. Confirm that the phono stage provides sufficient gain for its 2mV output.
Which version requires a moving-coil phono stage?
The low-output EL MKII requires a suitable MC phono stage or another correctly matched moving-coil solution.
Can the EL MKII be connected to a standard MM input?
Not normally. A conventional MM input does not usually provide enough gain for its 0.4mV output.
What load does the EH MKII require?
HANA recommends 47k ohms.
What load does the EL MKII require?
HANA recommends at least 80 ohms.
What stylus do the cartridges use?
Both use a synthetic elliptical diamond stylus.
What are the cantilevers made from?
Both use an aluminium cantilever.
What tracking force should I use?
HANA specifies 2g for both versions.
How much do the cartridges weigh?
Both weigh 8.6g.
Do they have threaded mounting holes?
Yes. The rigid brass cap incorporates threaded holes to simplify installation.
What is the frequency response?
15Hz to 25kHz for both versions.
What is the channel separation?
25dB at 1kHz.
Where are HANA cartridges made?
HANA cartridges are handcrafted by Excel Sound in Yokohama, Japan.
Can Audio T help me choose the correct output version?
Yes. Contact your local Audio T store with details of your turntable, tonearm and phono stage. Our team can help establish whether the EH MKII or EL MKII is the correct electrical and mechanical match.
Can Audio T fit and align the cartridge?
Yes. Contact your local store to discuss cartridge fitting, alignment, tracking force, tonearm compatibility and phono-stage setup.
Related Turntable Products
Why Buy From Audio T?
- EH MKII and EL MKII comparison advice
- Turntable, tonearm and cartridge matching
- Moving-coil phono-stage matching
- Phono-stage gain and loading setup
- Cartridge fitting and alignment
- Tracking-force setup
- Bias and anti-skate adjustment
- Tonearm compatibility checks
- Counterweight-range checks
- Turntable setup advice
- Part-exchange options
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss whether the high-output EH MKII or low-output EL MKII is the right match for your turntable, tonearm and phono stage, or to arrange professional cartridge fitting and alignment.