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Key info

The HANA-Umami Blue high-end moving coil cartridge combines the vision of Master cartridge designer Okada-san with the history of unique materials, classic Japanese techniques, and modern audio engineering. The Auricle body design, unique and exclusive to our Umami series, is CNC machined from Duralumin. Sharing key Umami Red ingredients, including the precision-cut diamond stylus, Boron cantilever, and high-purity copper wires, then combining these with the Alnico magnet-based generator found in the famous Hana ML, creates the exceptionally musical Umami Blue.

This synergistic relationship in MC cartridge design between specific materials, unique body design, a sophisticated generator, and hand-built precision is critical for outstanding cartridge performance. This creates a memorable and emotional experience, reminiscent of a meal at a Michelin 3-star restaurant, with every element and detail working in concert.

All the major parts in a HANA-Umami Blue are manufactured in-house by Excel Sound with its rich history spanning over 50 years. Excel’s highly trained craftsmen skillfully hand assemble the HANA-Umami Blue ensuring an intensely musical experience furthering the HANA “Brilliant and Gorgeous” sound quality.

Auricle cartridge body

The HANA-Umami Blue incorporates the exclusive Auricle body design, first developed for the Umami Red. It mimics the shape of the human outer ear to rigidly support the “Open Air” Moving Coil generator. The unique body shape is machined from A7075 aluminium, one of the strongest and lightest alloys, often specified in aerospace engineering. the Umami Blue body features a white POM inlay on its front facia to provide damping properties and as homage to the Hana ML, the first cartridge using POM body. Tapped and threaded mouting holes in the Auricle body assure secure attachment to the tonearm.

Special body finish

The HANA-Umami Blue uses a special enamelling process to impart the special blue finish to the Auricle body, adding to the rich sound and optics.

Microline stylus

The HANA-Umami Blue nude natural diamond stylus is cut and polished to mimic the cutting head stylus used to Master or “cut” all vinyl records. This critical part, also used on the HANA-Umami Red, offers the most precise fit into the vinyl groove, tracing the most delicate musical nuances.

Boron cantilever

Boron, with a hardness comparable to diamond, was selected for the HANA-Umami Blue to rigidly hold the Microline stylus. This solid Boron cantilever, a critical ingredient of the HANA-Umami Red, allows the smallest audible details and micro-dynamics to be transmitted without loss to the moving coil generator, capturing the artists’ intent.

Anico magnet-based moving coil generator

The Alnico magnet material selected for the HANA-Umami Blue, as found in the Hana ML generator, creates a classic sonic quality. Alnico magnets provide greater linearity with reduced saturation, creating a rich musical quality. The Pure copper wires are expertly hand-wound onto the Permalloy cross armature, found in the Hana ML generator. The pure iron pole piece featured in the Umami Blue is another key ingredient found in both the HANA-Umami Red and HANA ML generator.

Cryogenic processing

This ‘cold annealing’ process at near absolute zero temperature is used ot treat the pole piece, both front and rear yoke in the HANA-Umami Blue generator as well as the gold-plated signal output pins. The cryogenic process alters themolecular structure of the materials, producing a transformative quality similar to molecular gastronomy.

Exceptionally musical

The Hana team is proud of their seamless integration of brilliant materials, modern audio engineering, and traditional Japanese tecniques. Master designer Okada-san brings decades of experience to this design, furthering the Umami concept of synergy with the HANA-Umami Blue to create an exceptional musical quality.

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