Simply put, the Excel Sound team has delivered a masterpiece.
FEBRUARY 11, 2026
2026 Phono Cartridge of the Year Award | The Absolute Sound
Hana SL MK II $850
The Hana SL MK II is a worthy successor to the original Hana SL, becoming the new low-cost overachiever, capturing more of nearly everything that the cartridge it replaces in the company’s lineup does.
"Upon first listen, the Hana SL MK II offers admirable harmonic richness, particularly good transparency and fidelity to the recording, and excellent soundstage depth... Compared to the original Hana SL, the Hana SL MK II excelled in all the characteristics mentioned above; plus, it has increased musical clarity, capturing the speed, pacing, and tempo of music’s initial transients along with a tone-rich decay that provides greater realism. The cartridge is closer to being chameleon-like and outputs what the LP presents with all the ease, liveliness, vigor, elegance, and emotional moods captured during the recording session."
RECENT NEWS
Turntable of the Year
Clearaudio Concept Signature with Tracer Tonearm - $6000
Clearaudio created this special edition turntable exclusively for the U.S. market, and yes, it’s a home run. Think of it as a bells
DECEMBER 16, 2025
This global celebration honored 55 years of Excel Sound and introduced their new flagship cartridge, the Hana Umami Black.
OCTOBER 29, 2025