Hana Umami Black Becomes Top of the (Micro) Line

Umami Black has just been crowned the new head of Hana's excellent Umami line of cartridges and now sits above the Applause Award-winning Blue and Red.

The spotlight is firmly shone upon the Umami Black's diamond cantilever, a first for Hana, that carries a nude Microline stylus sporting a 0.22mm square profile. That said, the company is keen to point out "the Umami Black is much more than just an Umami Red with a diamond cantilever."

The cartridge also debuts Hana's OKD high‑efficiency generator, which combines an inverted U‑shaped front yoke with an integrated pole piece and rear yoke. We are told that this geometry enhances energy transfer and magnetic field alignment, while also reducing resonances, and provides precise support for the diamond cantilever.

The high-efficiency generator also boasts a rare-earth neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnet, delivering superior energy conversion. Another element unique to the Umami Black.

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 a claimed output of 0.3mV at 5 ohms.

The frequency response is listed as 15-50,000Hz, while the channel separation is given as 30dB/1 kHz. The 11.3g Umami Black cartridge requires a recommended 2g tracking weight.

All magnetic and signal path components, including the U-front yoke, integrated pole piece/rear yoke, and 24k gold-plated brass output pins, undergo deep cryogenic treatment.

Rounding things off, the Umami Black's duralumin body features an Urushi lacquer finish, applied through a specialised thermosetting process that bonds to the body via vapour deposition, and topped off with a black zirconia inlay.

The Hana Umami Black is available globally from September 22nd with an RRP of US$11,500 | £7,995 | €10,000. Pricing in other regions to follow.

For more information visit Hana Cartridges