HANA EL Low Output MC Cartridge

The HANA EL is a low-output MC cartridge hand-built in Japan by Excel Sound, offering high-end musical performance at an attractive price. Featuring an ALNICO magnet and a cross-coil design, it delivers rich texture, precise imaging, and captivating musicality, making it an ideal entry-level choice for audiophiles seeking a true MC sound. The lightweight 5g body, combined with excellent tracking ability and a low-resonance Moss Green composite plastic body, is specifically designed to pair with modern high-gain MC phono stages, fully leveraging the advantages of low-output MC to present delicate, transparent, and multi-layered analog sound.

Materials and Technology

• Stylus: Synthetic Elliptical diamond, precisely reading groove information to provide excellent resolution and low distortion.
• Cantilever: High-rigidity aluminum alloy, offering fast response and good rigidity.
• Generator: Cross-shaped armature with ALNICO magnet, hand-assembled to ensure high consistency and long-term durability.
• Body: Low-resonance composite plastic material, effectively suppressing unwanted vibrations for a blacker, purer background.
• Other Specifications:
  • Output Voltage: 0.5mV / 1kHz
  • Frequency Response: 15–25,000Hz
  • Channel Separation: 25dB / 1kHz
  • Tracking Force: 2.0g
  • Impedance: 30Ω / 1kHz (Recommended Load Impedance >300Ω or >400Ω)
  • Weight: 5g

Sound Characteristics

The HANA EL possesses the typical qualities of a high-end low-output MC cartridge, with delicate, transparent, and musically emotional sound:

• Low Frequencies: Deep and powerful, well-controlled, with excellent dynamic performance, impact, and texture.
• Mid Frequencies: Rich and full, with delicate textures in vocals and instruments, natural, smooth, and full of emotion.
• High Frequencies: Smooth extension, strong airiness, rich detail without being harsh.
• Overall Performance: High resolution, wide soundstage, precise imaging, comfortable for long listening sessions. It presents a "bigger picture" musicality rather than over-emphasizing individual details, suitable for users seeking natural, fluid, and highly engaging sound quality.

User and Professional Review Excerpts

• Hi-Fi World (5 Stars + Recommended): "The EL focuses on the bigger musical picture, offering a more engaging and fluid performance... bringing a real advantage to any listening session, a great value!"
• The Audiophile Man: "The EL, like the EH, delivers excellent performance... high-end advantages at a low price, strong musicality, and extremely high value for money."
• Other Audiophile Feedback: "Delicate and transparent, excellent imaging, strong musicality" "The classic charm of low-output MC, rare at this price point" "Combines resolution and emotion, enjoyable for long listening."

The HANA EL is the best choice for those on a budget who want to experience the authentic charm of a low-output MC! It is suitable for pairing with MC phono stage systems with sufficient gain, allowing your vinyl collection to radiate a richer, more three-dimensional analog flair.