The HANA-Umami Red hand-built MC cartridge is named after the word Umami, officially coined in 1908 by Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda-san as a very pleasing or delicious flavour on the palette, a synergistic effect resulting in higher taste intensity.

Hana’s Master cartridge designer Maseo Okada-san applies this concept as he combines materials and classic Japanese techniques with modern audio engineering in creating his HANA-Umami Red MC cartridge.

The HANA-Umami Red hand-built MC cartridge is named after the word Umami

Cryogenically Treated

The cryogenically treated MC generator features a samarium/cobalt magnet with a pure-iron square plate armature, hand-wound with high purity 30-micron copper wire for an internal impedance of 6Ω and .4mV output. A Nude Microline stylus is bonded to a solid Boron cantilever.

Moving Coil Cartridge

Moving Coil

The HANA-Umami Red Auricle™ body design, mimics the shape of the human outer ear to rigidly support the “Open Air” Moving Coil generator. It is machined from A7075 Duralumin with a multi-layered Urushi lacquer finish originating from the Japanese Makie-artistic tradition and incorporates an Ebony Wood inlay, tapped mounting holes, and stylus guard.

Excel Sound

All the major parts of the HANA-Umami Red are manufactured in house by Excel Sound with its craftsmen hand assembling each cartridge.

Master designer Okada-san brings over 50 years of experience to this design, applying the Umami concept of synergy with the HANA-Umami Red

machined from A7075 Duralumin with a multi-layered Urushi lacquer finish

Price & Availability

The HANA-Umami Red will launch 22nd September 2020. Retail price: £3,399 and Air Audio in the UK are distributing.

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