Now that word is out about my Phono Stage Survey, friends and readers alike are whispering in my ear about all things analog and one cartridge that keeps coming up is the HANA ML.
The Japanese company has just announced the new HANA-Umami Blue (yum), which combines elements of the HANA-Umami Red and HANA ML.
From the press release:
The HANA-Umami Blue high-end moving coil cartridge combines the vision of Master cartridge designer Okada-san with the history of special materials, classic Japanese techniques, and modern audio engineering. The Auricle™ body design, unique and exclusive to our Umami series, is CNC machined from Duralumin. Sharing key Umami Red ingredients, including the precision-cut diamond stylus, Boron cantilever, and high-purity copper wires, then combining these with the Alnico magnet based generator found in the famous Hana ML, creates the exceptionally musical Umami Blue.
“Umami” means:
The fifth taste category after salty, sweet, sour, and bitter. Officially coined Umami in 1908 by Japanese chemist Ikeda-san, it is that very pleasing or delicious flavor on the palette, a synergistic effect resulting in higher taste intensity.
My eyes have already said “yum” and my ears are more than curious about the HANA cartridges. “ML” does have a certain familiar ring to it (wink).
The HANA-Umami Blue MC Phono Cartridge (yum) is available now for $2,500.
Company Website: HANA
US Importer: Musical Surroundings