Yamamoto Sound Craft HS-2 Hokkaido Asada Cherry Wood Headshell

The HS-2 uses only the finest core material of Asada cherry wood. This Asada cherry wood is not hard enough to cause screws to strip, so it is designed to securely hold the cartridge using a brass plate that also serves as a finger hook and screw mount. Because cherry wood is lighter in density compared to metals or ebony, this combination with the brass plate balances the weight. The headshell weighs approximately 10g for both models.
Additionally, using the company'sWA-1 Washerfor weight adjustment allows for easier balance tuning.

The natural texture and feel of the wood are preserved with an eco-friendly protective wood coating that has minimal impact on the human body, finished with a buff finish. You can truly experience the unique appearance and softness of the wood.

The sound of the HS-2 is naturally composed without pretension, giving a calm and poised presence. It offers the organic and natural tone unique to wooden headshells made from Hokkaido Asada cherry wood, adjusting the music as it is without forcing any dramatic effect.
Its greatest feature is the beauty of the resonance and the natural decay. Unlike typical metal shells that emphasize edges or push information forward, it is very gentle on the ears. The inherent internal loss of wood moderates unwanted resonance, resulting in a smooth connection from the attack to the fade of the sound.
The individuality of vocals really stands out during playback. The voice spreads gently in space without overly emphasizing its edges, positioning itself with a warm texture. The reproduction of vocal harmonies is also high; for example, in multi-part choruses like the Eagles' "First Album," each part blends naturally while expanding, which can draw listeners in effortlessly.
On the other hand, it’s not necessarily suited for electric music such as rock or funk, where strong attack and drive are desired. Since it prioritizes a natural flow rather than pushing the sound aggressively, systems that focus on stimulation or sharpness might find it somewhat lacking. However, for live instruments, acoustic arrangements, or vocal-centric works, its calm and refined sound becomes a major appeal.
The HS-2 can be described not as a headshell that "sharpens" the sound, but as a tool that values the breath and warmth of the music. It’s the type of headshell that listeners who want to immerse themselves in music will quietly fall in love with, as it’s gentle on the ears even during long listening sessions.