Hana Umami Black MC Pickup

Umami Black

With the Hana Umami Black, the Japanese cartridge manufacturer Hana Audio reaches its absolute pinnacle. Developed by master designer Okada-san as the crowning achievement of his life's work, this exclusive moving-coil system combines uncompromising engineering, the finest materials, and exceptional musicality. For discerning vinyl lovers and audiophile hi-fi enthusiasts, the Hana Umami Black sets new standards in terms of resolution, dynamics, and naturalness.

Even during its multi-year development phase, it became clear that the Umami Black would be an exceptional moving coil (MC) cartridge – free from cost constraints and consistently designed for maximum sonic performance. As the first and, to date, only Hana cartridge, the Umami Black features a high-precision diamond cantilever. Thanks to its extreme hardness and rigidity, this cantilever enables a particularly lossless and precise transmission of the finest groove information from your records. Even the smallest musical nuances, micro-details, and dynamic subtleties are reproduced with impressive clarity and authenticity.

At the heart of the system is the innovative OKD High-Efficiency Moving Coil Generator, developed exclusively by Okada-san. The compact generator design, with its integrated pole piece and inverted pole shoe, virtually eliminates magnetic losses and mechanical resonances. The result is an exceptionally open, dynamic, and natural sound reproduction with impressive spatial imaging and realistic instrument rendering.

For maximum precision, a powerful neodymium-iron-boron magnet and an ultra-lightweight hybrid armature system made of carbon-infused nickel-iron and high-purity 4N copper wire are used. All signal-carrying components also undergo a cryogenic treatment process, which optimizes electrical conductivity and gives the sound a final polish.

The housing of the Hana Umami Black also underscores the uncompromising standards of this reference cartridge. The meticulously crafted Auricle™ Body, machined from a solid block of duralumin, not only impresses with its resonance-optimized construction but also deliberately evokes the shape of the human ear. This exclusive design is complemented by a traditional, hand-applied, multi-layer lacquer finish in the style of Japanese Makie art, which further contributes to resonance control and precise bass reproduction.

The Hana Umami Black impresses with an exceptional combination of musical warmth, analytical precision, and vibrant dynamics. Vocals sound tangible, instruments three-dimensional and natural, while the finest details remain effortlessly discernible even in complex musical passages. For audiophile vinyl enthusiasts who want to get the most out of their analog system, the Hana Umami Black is one of the most fascinating MC cartridges in its class.

Technical data:

Type: Moving Coil (MC)
Needle cut: Nude Microline Diamond
Needle cantilever: Diamond
Output voltage: 0.3 mV
Frequency response: 15 – 50,000 Hz
Intrinsic impedance: 5?
Recommended termination impedance: > 50 Ω
Needle compliance: 10 µm/mN
Recommended tracking force: 2.0 – 2.1 grams
Weight: 11.3 grams
Special features: OKD “Okada” generator, hybrid valve system, NdFeB magnet, cryogenically treated components