Hana Umami Black: The New Flagship MC Cartridge from Hana/Excel Sound

Experience the brilliance of the Hana Umami Black, a groundbreaking MC cartridge featuring a diamond cantilever and innovative “OKD” generator for unmatched sound fidelity.

A New Chapter in Hana’s Sonic Legacy

If you’ve ever been captivated by the lush, rich tones of a Hana cartridge MC cartridge, get ready to be blown away. The Hana Umami Black MC cartridge is the latest jewel in the crown from Excel Sound’s master designer Masao Okada-san, who brings over 50 years of cartridge wizardry to this new flagship marvel. It’s not just an upgrade or a tweak—it’s a sonic revelation packed with cutting-edge tech like a diamond cantilever and an exclusive “OKD” High-Efficiency Moving Coil Generator. Trust me, this isn’t simply the Umami Red with a new twist; this is a whole new beast.

What Makes the Umami Black So Unique?

Let’s break down the showstoppers that make this cartridge stand out in an already crowded high-end audio world.

Diamond Cantilever: The Hardest Path for Pure Signal Transfer

Here’s a first for Hana: the Umami Black boasts a diamond cantilever—the absolute hardest material known to audio craftsmanship. Why does this matter? The cantilever is the tiny arm that holds the stylus and transmits vibrations from vinyl grooves to the coil. Diamond’s rigidity means virtually no energy loss or distortion, delivering signal transfer with surgical precision.

“OKD” Moving Coil Generator: A World-First Innovation

The heart of the Umami Black is its newly developed “OKD” generator. This includes the world’s first Integrated Pole Piece and Rear Yoke combined with an Inverted U-shaped Front Yoke, masterfully engineered to optimize energy transfer from that diamond cantilever. The result? Crystal-clear, dynamic sound reproduction that feels incredibly alive and nuanced.

Inverted U Front Yoke: Precision Engineering Meets Acoustic Magic

The U-shaped bifurcated front yoke is no mere design flourish. It’s carefully crafted to control mechanical resonance and align the magnetic field perfectly. Plus, it provides stable, precise support for the diamond cantilever—further reducing distortion and enhancing clarity.

Rare Earth Magnet Powerhouse

Uniquely equipped with a neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnet, this cartridge leverages rare earth magnetism to boost energy conversion efficiency. That means every tiny groove on your vinyl is translated into sound with remarkable power and accuracy.

Hybrid Carbon Armature: The Perfect Blend of Strength and Sensitivity

The moving coil armature is a 2mm square hybrid carbon permalloy, made from 78% carbon-infused nickel-iron. Hand-wound with ultra-fine 30-micron, 4N purity copper wire on Excel’s proprietary machinery, this ultra-light coil produces an output of 0.3mV with a 5-ohm impedance. It’s engineering poetry that delivers an intricate, dynamic listening experience.

Exquisite Urushi Enameled Finish: Artistry Meets Technology

Visually, the Umami Black is a stunner thanks to its special Urushi lacquer, applied through a thermosetting process that bonds flawlessly to the aluminum body via vapor deposition. This is not just a cartridge; it’s a piece of art that will elevate your turntable’s aesthetic as much as its sound.

The Hana Umami Black isn’t just a cartridge; it’s a celebration of five decades of innovation and passion. Whether you’re an audiophile chasing the purest sound or a vinyl lover who appreciates the art of storytelling through music, this flagship model invites you to listen anew.

"The Umami Black is much more than just an Umami Red with a diamond cantilever." — Masao Okada-san

FAQ

• What makes the Hana Umami Black different from the Umami Red?
  The Umami Black features a diamond cantilever and a new “OKD” moving coil generator, offering enhanced signal transfer and energy efficiency beyond the Umami Red’s capabilities.
• Why is a diamond cantilever considered superior?
  Diamond’s exceptional hardness reduces energy loss and distortion, translating to clearer and more precise sound reproduction.
• How does the “OKD” generator improve sound quality?
  It integrates the pole piece and rear yoke, and uses an inverted U-shaped front yoke to optimize magnetic field alignment and energy transfer from the cantilever.
• What is the significance of the rare earth magnet in this cartridge?
  The neodymium-iron-boron magnet enhances the efficiency of energy conversion, ensuring dynamic and powerful sound output.
• Is the Urushi lacquer finish purely aesthetic?
  Beyond aesthetics, the Urushi finish protects the aluminum body through a specialized thermosetting process, ensuring durability and a luxurious look.

If you’re inspired by the blend of art and science in the Hana Umami Black, why not bring that vinyl magic into your home décor? Shop your favorite album cover poster at our store and let your love for music shine on your walls: Architeg Prints.