Hana SL Mono Mk II Cartridge at Vinyl Sound Buffalo NY USA

The Hana SL Mono Mk II is a low-output mono moving coil phono cartridge from Hana (Excel Sound Corporation, Saitama, Japan), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Designed by master cartridge engineer Masao Okada-san, this upgraded mono cartridge features a nude Shibata diamond stylus, a new tapered aluminum cantilever with increased rigidity, and a two-coil generator producing 0.4 mV output with a frequency response of 15–32,000 Hz. Stereophile awarded the original SL Mono its coveted Recommended Component status for 2024, calling the design's ability to unlock detail from mono records "unprecedented."

Why a Dedicated Mono Cartridge Matters

Mono LPs — both vintage pressings and contemporary mono reissues — contain all musical information in a single lateral groove channel. A stereo cartridge reads both lateral and vertical groove modulation, and vertical motion on a mono record is pure noise — pressing artifacts, surface irregularities, and dirt. A dedicated mono cartridge like the SL Mono Mk II mechanically filters this vertical noise at the source, producing a dramatically lower noise floor, a more focused and immediate presentation, and a punchier, more detailed sound from mono records than any stereo cartridge can achieve. For serious collectors of vintage jazz, classical mono pressings, or new mono reissues, this is not optional — it is transformative.

Shibata Stylus and Mk II Tapered Cantilever Upgrade

The SL Mono Mk II employs a Shibata stylus profile — a sophisticated, narrow-contact diamond geometry originally developed for quadraphonic records and now recognized as one of the finest profiles for extracting high-frequency detail and low distortion from any groove. The new tapered aluminum cantilever features increased rigidity and reduced effective mass at the stylus tip compared to the original SL Mono, significantly improving the transfer of groove modulation to the generator. Critical parts — including the yoke, pole pieces, and gold terminal pins — have been cryogenically treated for a more natural, composed sound.

Key Features

• Nude Shibata Diamond Stylus: High-geometry stylus profile for exceptional detail retrieval, low distortion, and superior tracing of both vintage and new-cut mono LPs.
• Two-Coil Mono Generator: Purpose-built mono generator rejects vertical groove noise inherent in stereo pickups, producing a dramatically quieter and more focused mono presentation.
• New Tapered Aluminum Cantilever: Increased rigidity and reduced effective mass at the tip for improved groove modulation transfer and enhanced clarity versus the original SL Mono.
• Cryogenic Treatment: Yoke, pole pieces, and gold terminal pins cold-annealed at near-absolute-zero for a more natural, controlled magnetic flux.
• Improved Non-Resonant Body: Matte Soft Feel Black elastomeric resin-damped body modeled after the Hana M Series, with brass cap and threaded mounting fittings for broad tonearm compatibility.
• Low-Output MC at 0.4 mV: Compatible with dedicated MC phono stages and step-up transformers; suggested load of 230 ohms or greater.
• 2-Year Warranty: Full manufacturer warranty included.

Technical Specifications

Awards and Critical Recognition

• Stereophile, Recommended Component Award, 2024 (Hana SL Mono)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Hana SL Mono Mk II?

The Hana SL Mono Mk II is a low-output mono moving coil phono cartridge made in Japan by Excel Sound Corporation, featuring a nude Shibata diamond stylus, tapered aluminum cantilever, and a two-coil mono generator. It outputs 0.4 mV and is purpose-built for playing mono LP records with maximum detail and minimal noise.

How does the Hana SL Mono Mk II compare to using a stereo cartridge for mono records?

A stereo cartridge picks up both lateral and vertical groove motion; on a mono record, vertical motion is exclusively noise from pressing artifacts and surface contamination. The SL Mono Mk II's two-coil mono generator is designed to read only lateral motion, mechanically rejecting vertical noise at the source. Stereophile's Herb Reichert described the original SL Mono as having an "unprecedented ability to hear everything that had never before been exposed by spherical-tipped cartridges," with sound that was "decidedly present, punchy, finely detailed, and liquid."

What is a Shibata stylus and why is it used on a mono cartridge?

The Shibata stylus is a sophisticated diamond profile originally developed for quadraphonic LP playback, featuring a very narrow and tall contact area that reaches deep into the groove for low distortion and extended high-frequency tracing. On a mono cartridge, the Shibata profile recovers detail and transient accuracy that a spherical stylus cannot match, making it the preferred choice for audiophile-grade mono playback of both vintage pressings and contemporary mono reissues.

How does the Hana SL Mono Mk II compare to the Ortofon Mono MC Quintet?

The Ortofon Mono MC Quintet is a similarly positioned mono MC cartridge using a Nude Fine Line stylus and producing 0.5 mV. The Hana SL Mono Mk II uses a Shibata stylus — a more sophisticated profile than the Fine Line — and outputs 0.4 mV with a 23-ohm impedance and suggested load of over 230 ohms. The Hana's cryogenically treated generator components and tapered cantilever design offer a meaningful performance advantage for serious mono LP collectors.

Do I need a separate tonearm for the Hana SL Mono Mk II?

A dedicated tonearm for mono playback is ideal, as it allows you to optimize azimuth and VTA for the specific cartridge without disturbing your stereo setup. However, many audiophiles use the SL Mono Mk II on a second headshell that can be swapped onto a tonearm with a removable headshell (such as those on many Japanese direct-drive turntables). At 8.6g and 2g VTF, it is compatible with most medium-mass tonearms.

Can the Hana SL Mono Mk II play stereo records?

Technically possible but not recommended. The SL Mono Mk II's generator sums both channels to mono and its Shibata stylus is optimized for lateral-only groove modulation. Playing stereo records will produce mono output and risks incomplete tracking of stereo groove geometry. It is purpose-built for mono LPs only.

Where can I buy the Hana SL Mono Mk II in Buffalo, NY or the USA?

The Hana SL Mono Mk II is available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Vinyl Sound is an authorised Hana dealer with expertise in analog setup for mono and stereo systems. Shop in store or at vinylsound.com.