? Hana, means “brilliant and gorgeous” in the original Japanese. Hana cartridges are produced by Excel Sound Corp from Japan, a long established cartridge making company who produce for many other companies. In picking the best bits for their own cartridges, Hana Phono Cartridges use high rigidity aluminium cantilevers, and cross-shaped armatures with the aim of providing brilliant and gorgeous sound.

The HANA-Umami Way

The HANA-Umami Red high-end moving coil cartridge combines brilliant materials and classic Japanese techniques with modern audio engineering. Ebony wood, rare-earth magnets, precision-cut diamond, high-purity copper wires, Urushi lacquering, and CNC machined Duralumin synergize under the vision of Hana designer Okada-san.

The synergistic relationship in MC generators between magnet, armature, and coil windings is a critical aspect of outstanding cartridge design; and like a signature dish at a Michelin 3-star restaurant, every element and detail working in concert results in a memorable and emotional experience.

All the major parts in a HANA-Umami Red 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 Red ensuring an intensely musical experience furthering the HANA “Brilliant and Gorgeous” sound quality.

Umami Sound - Wonderful Taste in Music

Magnetic Circuitry Pure Iron/Cryo Treatment Coil Wire High Purity Copper Output Level 0.4 mv Output Balance <0.5/1kHz Trackability 70 µm/2g Channel Separation 30dB/1kHz Frequency Response 10-50,000Hz Coil Impedance 6O/1kHz Suggested Load Impedance > 60O Magnet Samarium Cobalt Vertical Tracking Force 2g Cartridge Weight 10.5g Body Material Duralumin (A7075), Ebony Wood Body Finish Gloss Urushi Lacquer/ Red