Hana Umami Blue Cartridge at Vinyl Sound Buffalo NY USA

The Hana Umami Blue is a low-output moving coil phono cartridge from Hana (Excel Sound Corporation, Saitama, Japan), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Designed by master cartridge engineer Masao Okada-san, the Umami Blue features a nude Microline diamond stylus on a boron cantilever, an Alnico magnet generator, and the exclusive Auricle body CNC-machined from Duralumin (A7075), delivering 0.4 mV output with a frequency response of 15–50,000 Hz. Awarded the Mono & Stereo Highly Recommended Product Award 2024, the Mono & Stereo Best Buy Award 2024, and the ToneAudio Exceptional Value Award 2023, the Umami Blue sits between the Umami Red and the ML in Hana's flagship hierarchy while establishing its own sonic identity through its Alnico-based generator.

The Auricle Body and Alnico Generator

The Umami Blue introduces the exclusive Auricle body design, unique to the Hana Umami series. The Auricle housing is CNC-machined from Duralumin (A7075) and finished with Hana's Melamine Thermosetting Process (MTP) — a durable, acoustically neutral surface treatment. While sharing its Microline stylus, boron cantilever, and high-purity copper coils with the Umami Red, the Umami Blue draws its distinctive character from the Alnico magnet also found in the acclaimed Hana ML. Alnico (Aluminum-Nickel-Cobalt) magnets are prized in cartridge design for their smooth, musical flux characteristics, and in the Umami Blue generator context they are combined with a Pure Iron/cryogenically treated magnetic circuit for maximum linearity and low noise.

In-House Excel Sound Craftsmanship

Like all Hana cartridges, all major components of the Umami Blue are manufactured in-house by Excel Sound Corporation, whose 50-plus years of OEM cartridge production for leading global audio brands underpin Hana's quality assurance. Each Umami Blue is hand-assembled by skilled craftsmen, with a suggested load impedance greater than 80 ohms and a coil impedance of 8 ohms — placing it firmly in low-output MC territory compatible with dedicated MC phono stages and step-up transformers.

Key Features

• Exclusive Auricle Body Design: CNC-machined Duralumin (A7075) housing unique to the Umami series, treated with Melamine Thermosetting Process (MTP) for acoustic neutrality and durability.
• Alnico Magnet Generator: The same Alnico magnet as the acclaimed Hana ML, combined with a cryogenically treated Pure Iron circuit for smooth, musical magnetic flux and ultra-low noise.
• Nude Microline Diamond Stylus: Precision-cut diamond on a boron cantilever for superior groove tracing, extended high-frequency response to 50,000 Hz, and superior stereo imaging.
• Boron Cantilever: High-rigidity, low-mass boron rod transmits stylus motion with exceptional accuracy and minimal resonance.
• High-Purity Copper Coils: Low-impedance coil (8 ohms) wound with high-purity copper wire for excellent signal-to-noise performance.
• In-House Excel Sound Manufacturing: All major parts produced and hand-assembled by Excel Sound Corporation — 50+ years of OEM cartridge expertise in a single facility.
• 2-Year Warranty: Full manufacturer warranty included.

Technical Specifications

Awards and Critical Recognition

• Mono & Stereo, Highly Recommended Product Award, 2024
• Mono & Stereo, Best Buy Award, 2024
• ToneAudio, Exceptional Value Award, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Hana Umami Blue?

The Hana Umami Blue is a low-output moving coil phono cartridge handmade in Japan by Excel Sound Corporation, featuring a nude Microline diamond stylus, boron cantilever, Alnico magnet generator, and an exclusive Auricle Duralumin body with MTP finish. It produces 0.4 mV output and extends to 50,000 Hz, requiring a dedicated MC phono stage or step-up transformer.

How does the Hana Umami Blue compare to the Hana Umami Red?

The Umami Blue and Umami Red share the same Microline stylus, boron cantilever, and high-purity copper coils, but differ in their magnetic generators and body finishes. The Umami Red uses a Samarium Cobalt magnet with a Urushi-lacquered body and ebony wood inlay, producing a highly resolved and intensely detailed presentation. The Umami Blue uses an Alnico magnet — the same type as the acclaimed Hana ML — for a tonally warmer, more organically musical character. The Umami Blue's Auricle body with MTP finish is also exclusive to the Umami series.

How does the Hana Umami Blue compare to the Dynavector DV-20X2L?

The Dynavector DV-20X2L is a respected low-output MC at a comparable performance level, known for its dynamic energy and forward presentation using a proprietary line-contact stylus and nude elliptical on a boron cantilever. The Hana Umami Blue responds with a Microline stylus — which offers greater groove contact area than a standard line-contact — and an Alnico magnet generator that many listeners associate with a more harmonically rich midrange. The Umami Blue's 8-ohm impedance and 80-ohm minimum load also offer broad compatibility with high-quality MC phono stages.

What is an Alnico magnet and why is it used in the Umami Blue?

Alnico is an alloy of Aluminum, Nickel, and Cobalt used in high-performance phono cartridge generators. In the Umami Blue, the Alnico magnet produces a smooth and harmonically dense magnetic flux field that many audiophiles associate with a natural, musical tonal character. Hana uses the same Alnico magnet in its acclaimed ML cartridge, and in the Umami Blue it is combined with a cryogenically treated Pure Iron circuit and boron cantilever for a refined and cohesive generator system.

Can the Hana Umami Blue be used with a moving magnet phono stage?

No. The Umami Blue is a low-output MC producing 0.4 mV, which requires significantly more gain than a standard MM phono stage can provide. A dedicated low-output MC phono stage or a step-up transformer (SUT) connected to an MM stage is necessary. The suggested load impedance is greater than 80 ohms, making it compatible with a wide range of quality MC-capable phono stages.

What tonearms pair well with the Hana Umami Blue?

The Hana Umami Blue weighs 10.8g and tracks at 2g VTF, making it compatible with a wide range of medium-mass tonearms. It pairs well with arms such as the Rega Ania Pro, Pro-Ject 9cc Evolution, SME M2-9, and similar medium-mass pivot designs. Its 8-ohm coil impedance and over-80-ohm suggested load also make it highly compatible with quality phono stages from Rega, Musical Fidelity, and EAR.

Where can I buy the Hana Umami Blue in Buffalo, NY or the USA?

The Hana Umami Blue is available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Vinyl Sound is an authorised Hana dealer with experienced staff to guide you through phono stage matching, tonearm compatibility, and setup. Visit us in store or shop at vinylsound.com.