HANA Umami Red Moving Coil Cartridge

The HANA Umami Red is a flagship moving coil cartridge that embodies the concept of "Umami"—a savory, harmonious, and deeply satisfying experience. Master Designer Masao Okada-san has blended classic Japanese craftsmanship with cutting-edge audio engineering to create a transducer of exquisite beauty and sonic purity. Featuring an exclusive Auricle™ body design made of Duralumin, finished in traditional Urushi lacquer, and powered by a cryogenically treated generator with a Samarium Cobalt magnet, the Umami Red delivers a sound that is rich, intense, and brilliantly detailed. It is a true work of art that reveals the soul of the music, offering a listening experience that is as emotionally engaging as it is technically flawless.

Key Features:

• Urushi Lacquer Finish: The Duralumin body is coated in a multi-layered Urushi lacquer, a traditional Japanese art form that provides both stunning aesthetics and superior resonance damping.
• Auricle™ Body Design: Inspired by the human ear, the open-air body shape is CNC-machined from A7075 Duralumin for maximum rigidity and minimal resonance.
• Microline Stylus on Boron Cantilever: A precision-cut Nude Microline diamond bonded to a solid Boron cantilever ensures exceptional groove tracing and transient response.
• Samarium Cobalt Magnet: Utilizes a powerful Samarium Cobalt magnet for a focused, high-energy magnetic field that enhances dynamic range and detail.
• Cryogenic Treatment: Critical components, including the front and rear yokes, pole piece, and 24k gold-plated terminal pins, are cryogenically treated for ultimate signal purity.
• Ebony Wood Inlay: A V-shaped Ebony wood inlay on the front of the cartridge body provides additional damping and a touch of natural elegance.

Harmonic Synergy

The Umami Red is designed around the principle of synergy. Every material, from the Duralumin body and Ebony inlay to the Samarium Cobalt magnet and high-purity copper coils, is chosen to work in concert. The result is a sound that is greater than the sum of its parts—a rich, cohesive, and incredibly detailed presentation that captures the full harmonic complexity of instruments and vocals.

Artistry Meets Engineering

The body of the Umami Red is a masterpiece of functional art. The "Auricle" shape is machined from A7075 aluminum, one of the strongest and lightest alloys available. It is then finished with Urushi lacquer, a process that involves multiple layers of black undercoat, red pigment, and fine silver powder, followed by a gold powder logo and a final polish. This traditional finish not only looks breathtaking but also acts as a constrained-layer damper, suppressing micro-vibrations that could smear the sound.

Precision Signal Generation

At the heart of the cartridge is a hand-wound generator featuring a square permalloy armature and high-purity 30-micron copper wire. This assembly is powered by a Samarium Cobalt magnet, chosen for its specific sonic character and high magnetic density. The entire generator assembly undergoes a deep cryogenic treatment at near-absolute zero temperatures, restructuring the metal at a molecular level to ensure the purest possible signal transmission.

The Ultimate Interface

To extract every nuance from the groove, the Umami Red employs a Nude Microline stylus mounted to a solid Boron cantilever. Boron is chosen for its extreme stiffness and light weight, allowing it to transmit the most delicate vibrations to the generator with zero loss. This combination delivers extended high frequencies, exceptional tracking ability, and a soundstage that is wide, deep, and incredibly focused.

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