Hana phono cartridges are high-performance moving coil (MC) turntable cartridges manufactured in Japan by Excel Sound Corporation. Introduced in 2016, the brand name means “brilliant and gorgeous” in Japanese. They are widely praised by audiophiles for delivering exceptional analog sound quality, detail, and musicality at competitive price points compared to luxury alternatives.
Design and Manufacturing
- Hand-assembled: Built by skilled artisans in Japan using decades of inherited cartridge-design experience.
- Cross-Coil Generator: Utilizes a specialized cross-shaped armature that improves channel separation and reduces distortion.
- Output Options: Offered in both Low Output (L) for dedicated MC phono stages and High Output (H) models that plug directly into standard Moving Magnet (MM) phono inputs.
Core Product Series
- E Series: Entry-level moving coil cartridges (like the EL/EH) featuring elliptical styli, designed as an affordable stepping stone from standard MM cartridges.
- S Series: Mid-tier models upgrading to Shibata styli for enhanced high-frequency tracking and resolution, available in stereo and mono options.
- M Series / Umami Line: High-end reference models (such as the Hana ML, Umami Blue, and Umami Red) utilizing advanced microline styli, exotic body materials like ebony wood, and ultra-precise magnetic circuitry for maximum transparency.
Below is the price list as of 8/18/2026 including installation and alignment but does not include shipping fees. This fee will be added to the final price once quoted by the distributor.
| Model | Price | |
 | EL (low output moving coil with elliptical stylus) | $475.00 |
 | EH (high output moving coil with elliptical stylus) | $475.00 |
 | SL MkII (low output moving coil with Shibata stylus) | $850.00 |
 | SH MkII (high output moving coil with Shibata stylus) | $850.00 |
 | SL Mono MkII (low output monaural moving coil with Shibata stylus) | $850.00 |
 | ML (low output moving coil with microline stylus) | $1,200.00 |
 | MH (high output moving coil with microline stylus) | $1,200.00 |
 | Umami Blue (low output moving coil with microline stylus and boron cantilever) | $2,500.00 |
 | Umami Red (cryo-treated low output moving coil with microline stylus and boron cantilever) | $3,950.00 |
 | Umami Black (low output moving coil with microline stylus and diamond cantilever) | $11,500.00 |