HANA Umami Blue Moving Coil Cartridge

The HANA Umami Blue is a masterful blend of tradition and technology, delivering the rich, harmonious "Umami" sound at a more accessible price point. It combines the essential ingredients of the flagship Umami Red—including the precision-cut diamond stylus, Boron cantilever, and Auricle™ body—with the classic Alnico magnet-based generator found in the renowned Hana ML. This synergy creates a cartridge that is exceptionally musical, offering a perfect balance of brilliance, warmth, and clarity. Finished with a unique Melamine Thermosetting Process (MTP) in a stunning glossy blue, the Umami Blue is both a visual and sonic delight, handcrafted to bring you closer to the emotional core of your music.

Key Features:

• Auricle™ Body Design: CNC machined from Duralumin (A7075), the exclusive body shape mimics the human ear to rigidly support the generator and control resonance.
• Melamine Thermosetting Process (MTP): A specialized enameling finish that bonds to the aluminum body, enhancing resonance control and providing a brilliant blue aesthetic.
• Microline Stylus on Boron Cantilever: Features a nude Microline diamond bonded to a solid Boron cantilever for exceptional groove tracing and detail retrieval.
• Alnico Magnet Generator: Utilizes the same Alnico magnet-based generator found in the Hana ML, prized for its classic, saturation-free sonic quality.
• Cryogenic Treatment: Critical components, including the pole piece, yokes, and gold-plated output pins, are cryogenically treated for superior signal purity.
• White POM Inlay: A damping inlay made of Polyoxymethylene (POM) on the front fascia pays homage to the Hana ML while further suppressing vibrations.

The Synergy of Red and ML

The Umami Blue is a unique hybrid that draws from the best of Hana's lineup. It adopts the sophisticated physical architecture of the Umami Red, including its Boron cantilever and Microline stylus, to ensure maximum detail and transient speed. It pairs this with the Alnico magnet generator system of the Hana ML, famous for its rich, natural, and "classic" tonal character. This combination results in a sound that is detailed and open like the Red, yet possesses the beguiling warmth and fluidity of the ML.

Auricle™ Body with MTP Finish

The cartridge's body is a marvel of engineering and aesthetics. Machined from A7075 Duralumin—one of the strongest and lightest aluminum alloys—its "Auricle" shape effectively disrupts internal standing waves. The body is then finished using a Melamine Thermosetting Process (MTP). This high-tech enameling technique involves vapor-depositing melamine resin and baking it at 120°C, creating a hard, glossy blue finish that not only looks stunning but also contributes to the cartridge's rich sound and precise imaging by controlling resonances.

Cryogenic Purity

To ensure the cleanest possible signal transmission, key metal components of the Umami Blue undergo a deep cryogenic treatment. The front and rear yokes, pole piece, and 24k gold-plated terminal pins are subjected to near-absolute zero temperatures. This "cold annealing" process restructures the metal at a molecular level, reducing internal stresses and improving conductivity, which translates to a purer, more transparent, and natural musical presentation.

Hand-Built Excellence

Like all Hana cartridges, the Umami Blue is hand-assembled in Japan by the skilled artisans at Excel Sound Corporation. Every detail, from the winding of the high-purity copper coils to the precise alignment of the stylus, is executed with the dedication and expertise that comes from over 50 years of cartridge manufacturing. This commitment to craftsmanship ensures that every Umami Blue delivers a consistent, high-performance experience that honors the "Brilliant and Gorgeous" Hana philosophy.

The Listening Room Difference

We’re a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on trust, not hype. Whether you’re visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don’t just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.

Specifications