HANA EH

The Hana EH is a high-output moving coil (MC) cartridge, designed to fit the headshell of a turntable. It differs from standard MC cartridges by its high output level, which allows it to be used with a standard MM phono preamplifier, without necessarily requiring a dedicated MC stage.

The diamond is synthetic elliptical in shape, mounted on an aluminium cantilever. The stated output level is 2mV/1kHz, with a coil impedance of 130 Ohms and a recommended load of 47 kOhms, values consistent with use on an MM phono preamplifier, without an additional impedance adapter. The frequency response spans 15 to 25,000 Hz, and channel separation reaches 25dB/1kHz. Compliance (suspension flexibility) is 16 x 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne at 10 Hz and 10 x 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne at 100 Hz, values to take into account when choosing the tonearm to achieve good resonance compatibility. The recommended tracking force is 2g, for a tracking ability of 70µm at this force. The cartridge weighs 5g.

This model is aimed at music lovers and audiophiles who wish to move from an original cartridge, often MM type, to a moving coil cartridge, while keeping their existing MM phono preamplifier. It suits demanding listening in a living room setting, on a turntable capable of accepting a separately mounted cartridge.

When buying used, it is worth checking the condition of the elliptical diamond and the aluminium cantilever, which are particularly sensitive to impacts and wear from hours of use. The integrity of the connectors at the rear of the cartridge is also worth checking, as is the flexibility of the cantilever suspension, which can stiffen over time and alter the diamond's tracking in the groove.

The brand also offers a low-output version, the Hana EL, with an output level of 0.5mV/1kHz, intended for users with a dedicated MC phono preamplifier.