Hana EH MK II: A Powerful Update to a $550 Classic

The Hana EH MK II is the latest update to Excel Sound’s elliptical-stylus moving magnet phono cartridge, folding refinements first developed for Hana’s M Series and flagship Umami models into the brand’s classic E Series. Priced at $550 in the US, the Hana EH MK II keeps the Alnico magnet that has defined Hana’s musicality while updating the body, coils and finish for what the company calls its “next chapter of Evolutionary Brilliance.”

The “E” in the Hana EH MK II’s name stands for elliptical, referring to the synthetic elliptical diamond stylus profile the E Series has always used. For the MK II update, Hana carried over the updated body design first seen on its M Series, adding a brass cap that increases mass for better vibration control while providing threaded mounting for easier tonearm installation. Shared across the entire Hana range, including the flagship Umami Series, the EH MK II’s critical generator components and output pins are cryogenically treated to improve conductivity and preserve signal purity.

Full view of the Hana EH MK II moss green moving magnet phono cartridge body — The EH MK II’s body is finished in Hana’s signature moss green elastomeric coating for resonance control.

Classic Alnico Magnet, Updated Coil Winding

Where the S Series MK II was first to receive Hana’s latest round of refinements, those same updates now reach the E Series. The Hana EH MK II retains its classic Alnico magnet, the component most responsible for the rich musicality the brand is known for, while its sibling EL MK II (the low-output moving coil version) gains an updated 8-ohm coil winding design first developed for the ML and carried over from the SL MK II, aimed at a more ideal interface with moving coil phono stages. Across the whole range, the body is finished with an elastomeric coating that Hana says both enhances resonance control and elevates its appearance.

Close-up of the Hana EH MK II synthetic elliptical stylus and aluminum cantilever — A synthetic elliptical stylus rides on an aluminum cantilever, with critical output pins cryogenically treated for signal purity.

Close-up of the Hana EH MK II model markings and gold-plated output pins — The EH MK II’s output pins are cryogenically treated, a process shared across the entire Hana range.

Excel Sound, the company behind Hana, was founded in 1970 by Masao Okada in Yokohama, Japan, and remains one of the more established names in phono cartridge design and manufacturing, with every model from the flagship Umami Black down to the E Series MK II handcrafted by the company’s own artisans. The Hana EH MK II sits alongside other options for listeners upgrading their phono front end, aimed at those who want the classic Hana sound signature with the latest round of build-quality refinements. Full specifications are available on Hana’s own product page.