Hana ML Moving Coil Cartridge
"The MicroLine stylus has an even narrower “contact patch” than the already “severe” Shibata stylus used on the Hana SL. It more closely resembles the cutting stylus itself and so is theoretically capable of extracting more information from the grooves, particularly the higher frequencies and especially those located closer to the label area. If properly set up (the big “if”) you can also expect lower distortion. A cross sectional view would look almost like a flat-blade screwdriver, with the edges being able to trace even the narrowest groove crevice. Of course accurate set-up is critical for overhang, zenith angle and stylus rake angle.
Cryogenically treating metal is claimed to change its molecular structure and thus change sound quality (for the better).
The gold-plated copper top plate is a big improvement and not just because it increases mass and incorporates threaded hole inserts that runs the length of the opening, so you don’t have to mess with nuts (though that’s not a big problem IMO especially if you put a tiny blob of rubber cement on your index finger and embed the nut into it).
The top plate acts both as a damper for the Delrin body and as a mechanical interface between the cartridge and the head shell. Metal cartridge top to metal head shell should produce very different sonic results than a plastic to metal interface (or from whatever your head shell is fabricated).
Obviously, all of these physical changes from the previously reviewed SL should produce noticeable sonic ones. Unfortunately, I don’t have the older SL here, but that doesn’t matter because the sound produced by the Hana ML is exceptionally fine and clearly leaps ahead of the SL, which as I remember it was “really good”. The ML is remarkable."
Michael Fremer: Analog Planet
Reviews
"Seriously, I was not expecting the energy release this cartridge manages. It made the speakers “pop”, producing a taut, stable sonic bubble of a big soundstage"
"Fast, timbrally neutral, non-mechanical-sounding, transparent and delivering levels of detail usually heard from more costly cartridges, the Hana ML is in every way an impressive sounding and performing cartridge"
read the review in Analog Planet
Specifications
- Stylus Microline
- Cantilever Aluminum
- Magnetic Circuitry Pure Iron/Cryo Treatment
- Coil Wire High Purity Copper
- Cartridge Housing POM (Delrin) / Brass
- Output Level 0.4mv/1kHz
- Output Balance <1dB/1 KHz
- Trackability 70 µm/2g
- Channel Separation 30dB/1kHz
- Frequency Response 12-45,000Hz
- Impedance 7Ω/1kHz
- Suggested Load Impedance >100Ω
- Magnet Alnico
- Vertical Tracking Force 2g
- Cartridge Weight 9.5g
- Height 16.3mm
- Body Color Black w/Brass Plate
- Warranty 2 years
