HANA Umami Red Low Output MC Phono Cartridge

The HANA Umami Red is the flagship low-output MC cartridge in the Umami series. Handcrafted in Japan by Excel Sound, it embodies the ultimate vision of master Masao Okada-san. Fusing rare materials, traditional Japanese craftsmanship, and modern engineering—Duralumin CNC body with ebony, Urushi lacquer art, rare-earth magnets, a boron cantilever, and a precisely cut diamond stylus—it delivers an ultimate "brilliant and gorgeous" analog experience. Like a three-Michelin-star meal, every detail is perfectly integrated, creating an unforgettable emotional resonance.

Materials and Technology

• Stylus: Nude Microline diamond, precisely fitting the groove for top-tier detail retrieval and tracking.
• Cantilever: Boron cantilever, extremely light and rigid for fast and precise signal transmission.
• Magnet and Coil: Samarium Cobalt rare-earth magnet + pure iron square plate armature, hand-wound 30-micron high-purity copper wire, cryogenic treatment of key components to enhance linearity and musicality.
• Body: Duralumin (A7075) CNC machined + ebony resonance damping, Auricle™ exclusive design (mimicking the outer ear), multi-layered Urushi red lacquer craftsmanship (including pure gold powder "HANA" lettering), combining aesthetics and acoustics; built-in threaded mounting holes.
• Other Specifications:
  • Output Voltage: 0.4mV / 1kHz (low output)
  • Frequency Response: 10–50,000Hz
  • Channel Separation: 30dB / 1kHz
  • Output Balance: ＜0.5dB / 1kHz
  • Tracking Force: 2.0g
  • Impedance: 6Ω / 1kHz (recommended load impedance >60Ω)
  • Weight: 10.5g
    

Sound Characteristics

The Umami Red's sound is rich, precise, and deeply emotional:

• Bass: Deep and powerful, fast, excellent control, stunning dynamics.
• Midrange: Full and sweet, delicate texture in vocals and instruments, sincere and moving emotional expression.
• Treble: Crystalline and smooth, strong airiness, excellent and silky extension.
• Overall: Wide and three-dimensional soundstage, precise imaging, top-tier resolution, extremely black background. Praised as a "musical feast," it faithfully reproduces the original recording while delivering intense musical enjoyment, suitable for reference-level systems.

User and Professional Review Excerpts

• Hi-Fi+: Phono Cartridge of the Year, lauded for its detail, soundstage, emotional expression, and high level of finish.
• Stereo (Germany): "Absolutely top league... musically rich, strong emotional connection."
• Mono & Stereo / Positive Feedback: "Ultimate musicality, transparent and soulful... a flagship worth every penny."
• Other audiophile feedback: "Wide soundstage, rich yet natural details," "Charming midrange, perfect overall balance," "Urushi appearance and sound quality are equally stunning."

The HANA Umami Red is the pinnacle of the HANA brand, perfect for audiophiles seeking the ultimate analog sound quality! Paired with a top-tier MC phono stage and turntable system, it will bring you an unprecedented vinyl listening experience.