NEWS ARCHIVE

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.

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 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.

With a diamond cantilever, an astonishing 70mV output voltage and a beryllium construction with 50% reduced weight, the completely analog system is the future flagship of the manufacturer.