HANA Umami Blue Moving Coil Phono Cartridge
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HANA Umami Blue Moving Coil Phono Cartridge
The HANA-Umami Blue represents the pinnacle of moving coil cartridge design, combining Master cartridge designer Okada-san's vision with unique materials, classic Japanese craftsmanship, and modern audio engineering. Featuring the exclusive Auricle™ body design—unique to the Umami series—this high-end cartridge is CNC-machined from aerospace-grade Duralumin and hand-assembled by Excel Sound's master artisans.
The Perfect Fusion: Umami Red Meets Hana ML
The Umami Blue shares key premium components with the acclaimed Umami Red, including the precision-cut microline diamond stylus, ultra-lightweight boron cantilever, and high-purity copper coil wires. These are then combined with the legendary Alnico magnet-based generator found in the famous HANA ML, creating an exceptionally musical cartridge that delivers the HANA signature "Brilliant and Gorgeous" sound with remarkable warmth and detail.
Key Features
- Microline Diamond Stylus - Precision-cut advanced profile for maximum groove contact and detail extraction
- Boron Cantilever - Ultra-lightweight, ultra-rigid for superior transient response and tracking
- Alnico Magnet Generator - Classic magnet design from the renowned HANA ML for warm, musical presentation
- High-Purity Copper Coils - Optimized winding for exceptional signal purity and low distortion
- Auricle™ Duralumin Body - Exclusive CNC-machined design in aerospace-grade aluminum (A7075)
- Premium Blue Finish - Distinctive aesthetic with superior build quality
- Extended Frequency Response - 15Hz to 50,000Hz for full-spectrum reproduction
- Hand-Assembled in Japan - Crafted by Excel Sound's master technicians with 50+ years expertise
- Low Output MC Design - 0.4mV output for use with high-quality MC phono stages
Complete Technical Specifications
| Cartridge Type | Low-Output Moving Coil (MC) |
| Stylus Type | Microline (Precision-Cut Diamond) |
| Cantilever Material | Boron |
| Magnet Type | Alnico (Aluminum-Nickel-Cobalt) |
| Coil Wire | High-Purity Copper |
| Output Level | 0.4 mV @ 1 kHz |
| Output Balance | <0.5 dB @ 1 kHz |
| Frequency Response | 15 Hz - 50,000 Hz |
| Channel Separation | 30 dB @ 1 kHz |
| Coil Impedance | 6 Ω @ 1 kHz |
| Recommended Load Impedance | >60 Ω (MC phono stage required) |
| Vertical Tracking Force (VTF) | 2.0 grams |
| Trackability | 70 µm @ 2g |
| Cartridge Weight | 10.5 grams |
| Body Design | Auricle™ (Exclusive to Umami Series) |
| Body Material | CNC-Machined Duralumin (A7075) |
| Body Color | Blue |
| Manufacturing | Hand-Assembled in Japan by Excel Sound |
| Manufacturer | HANA (Excel Sound Corporation) |
| Warranty | 2 Years |
The Auricle™ Body Design
The exclusive Auricle™ body design is unique to the HANA Umami series and represents a significant advancement in cartridge construction. CNC-machined from aerospace-grade Duralumin (A7075), this innovative design optimizes mass distribution and resonance control, resulting in exceptional clarity, dynamics, and tonal accuracy. The distinctive blue finish not only provides a stunning aesthetic but also represents the fusion of Umami Red's premium components with the musical Alnico generator heritage.
Craftsmanship & Heritage
Every HANA-Umami Blue cartridge is meticulously hand-assembled by Excel Sound's highly trained craftsmen, drawing on over 50 years of expertise in precision audio manufacturing. The combination of the microline diamond stylus, boron cantilever, and Alnico magnet generator creates a unique sonic signature that balances analytical detail with musical warmth—perfect for discerning audiophiles who appreciate both technical excellence and emotional engagement with their music.
System Requirements
- High-quality MC phono preamplifier or step-up transformer required (0.4mV output)
- Precision tonearm with adjustable VTF and azimuth
- Load impedance: >60Ω (typically 100-1000Ω)
- Compatible with medium to high-mass tonearms
What's Included
- HANA Umami Blue Moving Coil Cartridge
- Mounting Hardware (screws and nuts)
- Stylus Guard
- User Manual
- Certificate of Authenticity
Perfect For
The HANA Umami Blue is designed for discerning audiophiles who seek reference-level performance with a warm, musical character. Combining the analytical precision of the microline stylus and boron cantilever with the legendary musicality of Alnico magnets, this cartridge excels with all music genres—from jazz and classical to rock and electronic. Its extended frequency response (15-50kHz) reveals every nuance in your vinyl collection, while the Alnico generator adds a touch of warmth and body that makes long listening sessions a pure pleasure. Ideal for high-end turntable setups with quality MC phono stages.
Caring for your Speakers and Amplifiers
To Keep your equipment safe these are some best practices to note. Please be advised that this is only to reduce the risk of misuse and is not an exhaustive list.
Speakers
- Speaker terminals are marked red and black, ensure your amplifier to the speakers are wired on the same colours
- Ensure no loose speaker wire from the red touches a loose wire from the black as this will lead to a short circuit and damage either the speaker, the amplifier or both.
- Not all speakers are designed to play at max volume, kindly consider the pairing of your amplifier and speakers
- Speaker cabinets cannot be replaced please handle with care.
AV & Stereo Amplifiers
- If your amplifier has HDMI ports, ensure all devices are off before plugging in the HDMI cable
- Turn off the amplifier before swoping out or adding speaker cable
- Amplifiers generate heat, place them in a well ventilated space. if possible avoid having anything on top of the unit.
- adding a surge protector can assist with power dips which are likely to damage your devices. Isotek and Furman are industry standard.
- Dusty environments can sometimes lead to accumulation of dust in the electronic components that might affect heat regulation
Shipping & Returns
- Free shipping on orders over R500 within the country.
- Standard delivery within 2–5 business days. Delays will be communicated. This might vary slightly depending on your location.
- Return items in original condition for a full refund. (unopened state)
- Returns that are open/unboxed will be subject to a handling fee. Refunds will only be processed after testing the unit.