HANA Umami Black
Low-output MC cartridge with solid diamond cantilever and full Nude Microline stylus, for high-end turntables.
Description
The HANA Umami Black is a low-output moving coil (MC) cartridge, designed by Excel Sound under the direction of Masao Okada-san. It stands out for its use of a solid diamond cantilever, a first for the brand, paired with a full Nude MicroLine stylus. Its body is coated with several layers of traditional black Urushi lacquer, applied by vapour deposition after an Urushi paint undercoat.
The solid diamond cantilever connects the stylus directly to the generator, with no intermediate part, which limits energy loss and colouration during playback. The Nude MicroLine stylus follows the shape of the cutting tool used to engrave the pressing matrix of records, allowing it to precisely trace the grooves and retrieve fine detail while reducing wear on both the diamond and the vinyl. The output level of 0.3mV/1kHz requires the use of a phono preamplifier compatible with low-output MC, with a recommended load above 50 ohms. The frequency response extends from 15 Hz to 50,000 Hz, with a channel separation of 30dB at 1kHz.
This cartridge is aimed at audiophiles who already have a quality MC phono preamplifier and a tonearm capable of handling a recommended tracking force of 2g with suitable compliance. It will suit a high-end vinyl setup where tracking precision and refined reproduction are paramount, particularly for those seeking to preserve record longevity thanks to the MicroLine geometry.
Technical specifications
| Cartridge type | Low-output MC |
| Diamond | Full Nude MicroLine |
| Cantilever | Diamond |
| Output level | 0.3mV / 1kHz |
| Balance | > 0.5dB / 1 kHz |
| Recommended tracking force | 2g |
| Trackability | 70µm/2g |
| Compliance 10 Hz | 16 x 10 (-6) cm / dyne |
| Compliance 100 Hz | 10 x 10 (-6) cm / dyne |
| Channel separation | 30dB / 1 kHz |
| Frequency response | 15 – 50,000 Hz |
| Coil impedance | 5 Ohms / 1 kHz |
| Recommended load | > 50 ohms |
| Weight | 11.3g |
What to check before buying used
When buying used, attention should be paid to the condition of the stylus and the diamond cantilever, which are particularly sensitive to shocks and wear linked to the number of hours of use: a solid diamond cantilever, although rigid, remains fragile in the event of lateral impact. The integrity of the wiring and output connectors should also be checked, as well as the absence of any delamination of the Urushi lacquer on the cartridge body. Ideally, the seller or previous owner should be able to indicate the number of playback hours, a decisive factor for an MC cartridge of this calibre.
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