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Authorized US Dealer

Hana Hana MC Cartridges

Hana moving coil phono cartridges are available at Vinyl Sound USA Inc. in Buffalo, NY, your authorised Hana dealer serving Western New York and the United States. Hand-assembled in Japan by master cartridge designer Masao Okada-san at Excel Sound Corporation — a company with over fifty years of OEM cartridge manufacturing experience for Japan's finest audio brands — Hana has rapidly established itself as one of the most critically acclaimed cartridge manufacturers in the world, delivering exceptional moving coil performance at accessible price points under the name Hana, meaning "brilliant and gorgeous" in Japanese. The Hana lineup at Vinyl Sound Buffalo spans the EL and EH entry-level MC series, the SL Mk II and SH Mk II mid-tier MC series, the ML and MH Microline series, the Mono Mk II, and the flagship Umami Blue and Umami Red reference MC cartridges, covering every performance level from first moving coil upgrade through reference analog reproduction. Hana cartridges are among the most decorated in the world. The Hana Umami Red received Stereophile Recommended Component status for 2025 with Class A designation, with Herb Reichert praising the intensity with which it endowed familiar recordings, its enhanced intelligibility of vocals, natural-feeling contrast levels, grain-free clarity, and lifelike solidity, describing it as making pure analog LPs sound like master tapes. The Hana Umami Blue received Stereophile Recommended Component status for 2025, with Herb Reichert noting it dug out more of that rich old-mono sound than expected from a contemporary stereo cartridge, and won the StereoNET Product of the Year Award 2024 in the Phono Cartridge category. The Hana ML received Stereophile Class A Recommended Component status, with Herb Reichert describing its beguiling tubelike sound, its ability to let music sound brilliant and conspicuously in the room, and concluding it is a stunning-sounding, artfully engineered phono invention that loves all music and a fantastic bargain. The Hana SL Mk II incorporates the same generator as the Umami Blue and ML, with an 8-ohm coil, cryogenically treated components, and tapered aluminum cantilever representing the most significant upgrade in SL history according to Okada-san himself. The Hana cartridge range is designed around three key engineering principles that distinguish it from competing MC manufacturers. First, all critical generator components including magnets, coils, and structural parts are cryogenically treated at ultra-low temperatures to relieve internal mechanical stress and improve electromagnetic consistency. Second, Hana uses rare earth samarium/cobalt and alnico magnet materials in different models to optimise the balance between output level, tracking compliance, and tonal character. Third, the Umami series employs Urushi lacquer body construction — a traditional Japanese lacquerware technique applied over CNC-machined Duralumin — providing both exceptional resonance control and the visual artistry that sets these cartridges apart from competing designs by Dynavector, Sumiko, and Audio-Technica. Visit Vinyl Sound USA in Buffalo, NY for expert cartridge matching guidance and to experience Hana's award-winning moving coil performance in Western New York.

Hana Umami Black Moving Coil Cartridge
Hana Hana Umami Black Moving Coil Cartridge
$11,500.00
HANA UMAMI RED CARTRIDGES - Find all deals of Hana Cartridges at Vinyl Sound: Hana EH Cartridges – Hana El Cartridges – Hana SH Cartridges – Hana SL Cartridges – Hana SL Mono Cartridges – Hana ML Cartridges – Hana MH Cartridges – Hana Umami Red Cartridges Best Price and Services Guaranteed!
Hana Hana Umami Red Cartridges
$3,950.00
Get the best price on all Hana Cartridges at Vinyl Sound: Hana EH Cartridges – Hana El Cartridges – Hana SH Cartridges – Hana SL Cartridges – Hana SL Mono Cartridges – Hana ML Cartridges – Hana MH Cartridges – Hana Umami Red Cartridges - Hana Umami Blue Cartridges Best Price and Services Guaranteed...
Hana Hana Umami Blue Cartridges
$2,500.00
Find all deals of Hana Cartridges at Vinyl Sound: Hana EH Cartridges – Hana El Cartridges – Hana SH Cartridges – Hana SL Cartridges – Hana SL Mono Cartridges – Hana ML Cartridges – Hana MH Cartridges – Hana Umami Red Cartridges Best Price and Services Guaranteed!
Hana Hana MH Cartridges
$1,200.00
HANA ML CARTRIDGES - Find all deals of Hana Cartridges at Vinyl Sound: Hana EH Cartridges – Hana El Cartridges – Hana SH Cartridges – Hana SL Cartridges – Hana SL Mono Cartridges – Hana ML Cartridges – Hana MH Cartridges – Hana Umami Red Cartridges Best Price and Services Guaranteed!
Hana Hana ML Cartridges
$1,200.00
Hana SL Mono Mk II Cartridges
Hana Hana SL Mono Mk II Cartridges
$850.00
Hana SL Mk II Cartridges
Hana Hana SL Mk II Cartridges
$850.00
Hana SH Mk II Cartridges
Hana Hana SH Mk II Cartridges
$850.00
HANA EL CARTRIDGES - Find all deals of Hana Cartridges at Vinyl Sound: Hana EH Cartridges – Hana El Cartridges – Hana SH Cartridges – Hana SL Cartridges – Hana SL Mono Cartridges – Hana ML Cartridges – Hana MH Cartridges – Hana Umami Red Cartridges Best Price and Services Guaranteed!
Hana Hana EL Cartridges
$475.00
HANA EH CARTRIDGES - Find all deals of Hana Cartridges at Vinyl Sound: Hana EH Cartridges – Hana El Cartridges – Hana SH Cartridges – Hana SL Cartridges – Hana SL Mono Cartridges – Hana ML Cartridges – Hana MH Cartridges – Hana Umami Red Cartridges Best Price and Services Guaranteed!
Hana Hana EH Cartridges
$475.00

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes Hana cartridges, and where can I buy them in the USA?
Hana moving coil cartridges are hand-assembled in Japan by master designer Masao Okada at Excel Sound Corporation, a company with over fifty years of OEM cartridge experience. The name Hana means “brilliant and gorgeous” in Japanese, and the brand has earned a reputation for delivering serious moving coil performance at accessible prices. Vinyl Sound USA is your authorized Hana dealer in Buffalo, NY, serving Western New York and the rest of the country, so every Hana cartridge here is genuine and fully supported.
What is a moving coil cartridge, and why choose one?
A moving coil (MC) cartridge generates its signal from tiny coils moving in a magnetic field as the stylus tracks the groove. The design is prized for its detail, speed, and natural tone, which is why it dominates the higher end of vinyl. Every Hana on this page is a moving coil design. The main things to know are that MC cartridges usually output a lower signal than moving magnet types, and the stylus is not user-replaceable. If moving coil is new to you, we are glad to explain what it means for your setup.
What is the difference between the “L” and “H” Hana models, like EL and EH or SL and SH?
The letter tells you the output level. The “L” versions (EL, SL, ML) are low output and need a phono stage with full MC gain or a step-up transformer. The “H” versions (EH, SH, MH) are high output, which makes them easier to run from a wider range of phono inputs, including some moving magnet stages. Neither sounds “better” by default; the right one depends on what your phono stage supports. Send us your phono stage model and we will tell you which version fits.
Do I need a special phono stage for a Hana cartridge?
You need a phono stage either way, but the type matters. A low output Hana like the EL, SL, or ML wants a phono stage with MC capability, or a step-up transformer ahead of a moving magnet input, plus the correct loading. A high output Hana like the EH, SH, or MH is more flexible and can work with more inputs. Not sure what yours supports? Give Vinyl Sound USA your amplifier or phono stage model and we will confirm the match before you order.
What is the Microline stylus on the ML and MH, and is it worth it?
Microline is a more advanced stylus profile than the ones used on the entry models. It contacts the groove over a finer area, which can improve detail retrieval and tracking, and often extends playing life when set up correctly. On the Hana ML and MH, that profile is a real step up. Whether the jump from the EL/EH or SL/SH is worth it for you depends on your turntable and system, and we will give you an honest read rather than just steering you up the range.
Which Hana should I pick as my first moving coil cartridge?
The EL and EH are built for exactly this. They bring you into real moving coil sound at an accessible price, with the EH being the easier match if your phono stage does not have dedicated MC gain. If your system is more capable and you want more performance from the start, the SL Mk II and SH Mk II are a natural next step. There is no single right answer, so share your turntable and phono setup with our Buffalo, NY team and we will recommend the best starting point.
What makes the Umami series special?
The Umami Blue, Umami Red, and flagship Umami Black are Hana’s reference cartridges, and they use Urushi lacquer body construction over machined Duralumin for resonance control and striking looks. They have been highly decorated by the press, including Stereophile Recommended Component recognition for the Umami Red and Umami Blue. These are cartridges for a resolving, reference-grade system. If you are considering one, the honest question is whether the rest of your setup is ready to show what they do, and we are happy to help you judge that.
What is the Hana SL Mono Mk II for?
The SL Mono Mk II is a dedicated mono cartridge, built for playing mono records the way they were meant to be heard. A true mono cartridge can give you quieter, more solid, more focused playback on mono pressings than a stereo cartridge does. If you have a meaningful mono collection, especially older jazz, blues, or classical, it can be a worthwhile addition. If you are not sure whether it fits your collection, ask us and we will talk it through.
Will a Hana cartridge work with my turntable?
Most Hana cartridges use the standard half-inch two-screw mount found on the majority of turntables, so fit is usually straightforward. What matters more is matching the output type to your phono stage and making sure your tonearm suits the cartridge. Rather than assume, send Vinyl Sound USA your turntable, tonearm, and phono details and we will confirm the Hana you are considering is a strong match before you buy.
How do I install and set up a Hana cartridge?
Getting the most from a moving coil cartridge means careful alignment, correct tracking force, anti-skate, and the right loading at the phono stage. Good setup protects both your sound and your records. If that feels daunting, you are not alone, and we can guide you through it or advise on the right tools. When you buy your Hana from Vinyl Sound USA, reach out to our Buffalo, NY store and we will help you dial it in properly.
How do I get expert help choosing a Hana cartridge in the USA?
Vinyl Sound USA is an authorized Hana retailer in Buffalo, NY, so you get genuine product, full support, and real cartridge-matching advice, not a gray-market gamble. Whether you are stepping into your first moving coil with an EL or EH, moving up to the ML or an Umami, or matching a cartridge to your phono stage and tonearm, contact our team and we will make sure it is right for your system before you spend.