NEWS ARCHIVE

"Hana cartridges have a well-deserved reputation as giant killers. But what if Hana made a cartridge that had ‘big hitter’ price and specs?"

Until recently, when this Japanese cartridge manufacturer announced the new $3,950 Umami Red, the ML was the flagship in the Hana line–and it sounded like a true flagship despite its very modest price.

The build and finish of this German-made table are superior. For sheer musical engagement and superb speed stability, it’s the one to beat in this price range.

The Hana Umami Red was named MC Cartridge Product of the Year 2020 by Hong Kong based HiFi Review.

"The Umami revealed Lead Belly, with microphones on his voice and guitar, facing the audience with a crisp, almost-really-there presence. The sound was so vivid, I imagined I saw musicologist-recordist Alan Lomax standing.."

Every product listed here has been formally reviewed in Stereophile. Everything on the list, regardless of rating, is genuinely recommendable.