The Hana Umami Red moving coil cartridge captures the essence of ‘umami’ – a term coined by Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda-san in 1908 to describe a deeply satisfying and harmonious flavour. This principle of synergy and intensity has been applied by master cartridge designer Maseo Okada-san, who blends premium materials, traditional Japanese craftsmanship and modern engineering to create the Umami Red.

Key Features

• Auricle™ body machined from Duralumin with an ebony wood inlay
• Finished in red gloss Urushi lacquer inspired by Japanese Makie artistry
• Low output moving coil with 0.4 mV output
• Boron cantilever for superior tracking precision
• Microline nude diamond stylus for exceptional detail retrieval
• Samarium cobalt magnet for powerful, stable performance
• High purity copper coil for enhanced signal clarity
• Tapped mounting holes for secure and straightforward installation

Refined Design and Performance

At the heart of the Umami Red is a cryogenically treated moving coil generator. It features a samarium cobalt magnet and a pure iron square plate armature, hand-wound with high-purity 30-micron copper wire. This design achieves an internal impedance of 6 Ω and a 0.4 mV output, delivering dynamic and natural sound reproduction.

The microline nude diamond stylus is mounted on a solid boron cantilever, ensuring precise tracking and revealing the finest musical details. The Auricle™ body design, inspired by the human outer ear, provides rigid support for the “open air” generator, reducing resonance and enhancing clarity.

Artistry in Construction

The Auricle™ body is machined from Duralumin and finished with a multi-layer Urushi lacquer, a technique rooted in the Japanese Makie tradition. The striking red gloss finish is complemented by an ebony wood inlay, which acts as a resonance damper, further refining the cartridge’s performance.

Masterful Craftsmanship

All major components of the Hana Umami Red are manufactured in-house by Excel Sound. Each cartridge is meticulously hand-assembled by skilled craftsmen under the guidance of Okada-san, whose over 50 years of experience ensure an extraordinary level of precision and quality.

A Harmony of Tradition and Innovation

The Hana Umami Red moving coil cartridge is the perfect blend of artistry and engineering, offering a vivid, nuanced and deeply engaging listening experience that honours your vinyl collection.