Meet the New Flagship Hana Umami Black MC Cartridge

Did you know that Hana also makes a Moving Coil (MC) cartridge called the “ML”? Just sayin’.

Master cartridge designer Masao Okada-san of Excel Sound blends craftsmanship and engineering in the Hana Umami Black MC Cartridge, the company’s new flagship offered in celebration of 55 years of tradition and excellence.

From the press materials:

Just as umami in cuisine describes a deep and satisfying flavor created through a perfect blend of ingredients and techniques, Umami Sound represents this same concept for your ears—a harmonious, synergistic fusion that delivers more than the sum of its parts. It’s the wonderful taste in music.

The new Umami Black MC cartridge features a diamond cantilever, ‘nude’ natural diamond Microline stylus, and a new “OKD” High-Efficiency Moving Coil Generator. The body sports the stunning, to my eyes, Urushi lacquer finish (yum) and every HANA Umami Black cartridge is meticulously handcrafted by Excel Sound’s skilled artisans in Japan.

The new Hana Umami Black MC Cartridge is available now for $11,500.

Here’s the press release:

Hana Umami Black
New Flagship MC cartridge from Hana / Excel Sound

Introducing the Umami Black MC cartridge $11,500

The HANA-Umami Black continues the brand’s legacy of “Brilliant and Gorgeous” sound. Master cartridge designer Masao Okada-san of Excel Sound celebrates over 5 decades of innovation and excellence with his new masterpiece, featuring a diamond cantilever and new “OKD” High-Efficiency Moving Coil Generator. The Umami Black is much more than just an Umami Red with a diamond cantilever.

Unique Umami Black Features

Diamond Cantilever
In a category first for HANA, the Umami Black incorporates a diamond cantilever, the hardest possible material, ideal for signal transfer.

High-Efficiency “OKD” Moving Coil Generator
Another category first, the Umami Black uses the newly developed “OKD” with the world’s first “Integrated Pole Piece and Rear Yoke” and Inverted U-shaped Front Yoke, optimizing energy transfer from the diamond cantilever.

Inverted U Front Yoke
The U-shaped (bifurcated) inverted front yoke is engineered for both mechanical resonance control and magnetic field alignment, while also providing precise support for the diamond cantilever.

High-Power Rare Earth Magnet
Unique to the Umami Black, the rare earth neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnet is used for the high-efficiency generator, delivering superior energy conversion.

Hybrid Carbon Armature
A 2mm square hybrid Carbon permalloy armature, comprising 78% carbon-infused nickel-iron, is precisely hand-wound with 30-micron, 4N high-purity copper wire on Excel’s proprietary machinery. This ultra-light moving coil has an output of 0.3mV and a 5 ohm impedance.

Special Urushi Enameled Finish
The HANA-Umami Black features an exquisite Urushi lacquer finish, applied through a specialized thermosetting process, bonding to the aluminum body via vapor deposition.

US Distributor Website: Musical Surroundings