Hana EL

The Hana EL embodies the culmination of five decades of Japanese expertise in phono cartridge design. This low-output moving coil cartridge represents the entry-level offering from the Japanese manufacturer, delivering an unembellished approach to vinyl playback while retaining the technical fundamentals that have earned Excel Sound Corporation its reputation among the world’s leading audio brands.

Handcrafted Construction and Deliberate Technical Choices

The Hana EL features a body made of ABS plastic, dyed throughout in a distinctive moss green. Far from being a cost-cutting compromise, this material choice contributes to the desired sonic signature by limiting unwanted resonances. Weighing in at just 5 grams, it is among the lightest MC cartridges on the market—a characteristic that makes installation on lightweight 9-inch tonearms easy while preserving the overall dynamic balance.

The magnetic generator uses Alnico magnets, an aluminum-nickel-cobalt alloy favored for its sonic qualities despite having lower magnetic strength than modern rare earths. This deliberate choice reflects a philosophy where musicality takes precedence over raw performance. The coils are wound with 4N copper wire (99.99% purity), while the magnetic circuit uses pure iron to optimize magnetic flux.

The aluminum cantilever supports a carefully selected and bonded synthetic elliptical diamond. Each stylus undergoes rigorous sorting to meet the manufacturer’s tolerances. While less sophisticated than a Shibata or MicroLine, this elliptical profile still offers optimal contact with the groove walls while remaining relatively forgiving of setup errors.

Balanced and Natural Sound Reproduction

The Hana EL delivers a sound reproduction approach that prioritizes coherence and spectral balance. Listening tests reveal a cartridge that doesn’t seek to impress with spectacular effects but instead charms with its ability to make the mechanical reproduction process fade away. The midrange benefits from particularly refined texture, rendering vocals with presence and warmth without excessive coloration.

The treble, while not reaching the extension of a Shibata stylus, maintains satisfying definition up to 25 kHz. This relative limitation paradoxically contributes to fatigue-free extended listening, as sibilants are naturally softened without loss of intelligibility. The bass range surprises with its structure and depth, avoiding the muddiness often criticized in entry-level cartridges.

Channel separation of 25 dB at 1 kHz is in line with affordable MC cartridges but is sufficient to create a credible soundstage. The stereo image gains stability and depth after a break-in period of about thirty hours, with instruments then finding their natural place in the sound space.

Setup and Compatibility

Installing the Hana EL poses no particular difficulty for anyone who has previously mounted a cartridge. The gold-plated connectors accept standard clips and ensure optimal long-term electrical contact. The recommended tracking force of 2 grams matches the capabilities of most tonearms on the market, while the relatively high compliance (16 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne at 10 Hz) allows use on medium to low-mass arms.

The 0.5 mV output level absolutely requires a compatible MC phono preamplifier. While the manufacturer recommends a load impedance above 400 ohms, experience shows that the cartridge performs best between 400 and 800 ohms depending on system characteristics. A standard 100-ohm load works but tends to stifle dynamics and dull the upper spectrum.

A tracking ability of 70 μm demonstrates well-controlled mechanical behavior, allowing it to handle highly modulated passages with ease. Surface noise remains contained, and the cartridge is particularly quiet in unmodulated grooves—a valuable asset on average-quality pressings.

Positioning within the Hana Range

The E series is Hana’s entry-level line, with four models sharing the same basic architecture. The EL (Elliptical Low) and its twin, the EH (Elliptical High) with higher output (2 mV), differ only in the number of coil windings. The S (Shibata) and M (MicroLine) series move upmarket with more sophisticated stylus profiles and, for the M series, cryogenic treatments.

This clear hierarchy allows everyone to find the cartridge suited to their system and budget. The EL offers the best musicality-to-price ratio for those who already have a quality MC preamp. Priced at around 475 euros, it competes with the Ortofon Quintet and Denon DL-103—historic references in this segment—which it often surpasses in musical refinement.

Technical Specifications

Construction and Materials

• Cartridge type: low-output moving coil cartridge
• Stylus: synthetic elliptical
• Cantilever: aluminum
• Weight: 5 g

Electrical Characteristics

• Output level: 0.5 mV / 1 kHz
• Coil impedance: 30 Ω / 1 kHz
• Recommended load impedance: > 400 Ω

Audio Performance

• Frequency response: 15 – 25,000 Hz
• Stereo separation: 25 dB / 1 kHz
• Channel balance: < 2 dB / 1 kHz

Operating Parameters

• Recommended tracking force: 2 g
• Tracking ability: 70 µm / 2 g
• Compliance at 10 Hz: 16 × 10⁻⁶ cm / dyne
• Compliance at 100 Hz: 16 × 10⁻⁶ cm / dyne