Hana Umami Red Moving Coil Cartridge Reviews

4.9 Rating 31 Reviews

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William Koski

Verified Reviewer

“While I only have about 10-15 hours on it, the cartridge sounds great! (Summer vacation and activities have limited my listening time some.) It replaces a Hi-Out Sumiko Blackbird. I was always pleased with the Blackbird with the exception of wanting a bit more heft in the bottom end but it was getting old (about 13 years). It was still performing well but I thought it was getting time for an upgrade. I heard the Umami a couple years ago at Axpona in a room where the cabling cost more than my first house. I fell in love with it. I was worried that maybe I was going overboard buying a cartridge that was worth about 2x my turntable (MMF9.1). On the first needle drop my concerns melted away! First the additional grunt in the bottom end was there now. Soundstage got bigger, like you've moved a couple rows closer to the stage. And instrument placement is even more focused. Surface noise seems to be almost non existant on the best pressings and much lower on less than perfect vinyl. Even albums that were recorded in overly dampened studios seem to have a bit more life and air to them. It can't fix a bad recording but it can make one easier to listen to and it can make a good recording really pop! Very detailed but not bright by any means. I would classify it very close to neutral to maybe just slightly on the warm side. I spent a couple years trying to talk myself into spending that much on a cartridge. After talking to the guys at at Axpona this year I finally pulled the trigger! I sure whish I had spent about 103 weeks less on making that decision! Thank you to the folks at Upscale for your advice, knowledge and taking care of my order.”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 month ago

Andrew Berry

Verified Reviewer

Author didn't leave any comments.

Helpful Report

Posted 1 month ago

Philip Nichols

Verified Reviewer

“Pretty straight forward to mount, no issues. It needs to run awhile before it shows its full potential, at first it wasn't that much an improvement over my previous cartridge, but once it opened up, it sounds beautiful and revealing (20-40 hours to break in). Highs sound more musical, bass is full and managed well. Another one of these upgrades where you will hear sounds you haven't experienced before coming off vinyl.”

3 Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Cody Grayland

Verified Reviewer

“All the fantastic things said about the Red are true. A detailed and musical cartridge. Highly recommended.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Jason Kirschberg

Verified Reviewer

Author didn't leave any comments.

1 Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Amado Jimenez

Verified Reviewer

“Astonishing equipment, awesome, silent, dynamics and air; I have been dreaming about this, and i feel thankful for the treatment, service and support from the Analog team (Chris and Sean); I will be spending more at the home studio enjoying my Vynils ..In a nutshell, upscale audio means 100% Satisfaction.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Steven Hebert

Verified Reviewer

Author didn't leave any comments.

Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Curtis Freilich

Verified Reviewer

“I've had several very good moving coil cartridges; EMT TSD15, Kiseki Purple Heart and now the new Umami Red. It is probably the best of them. Last night I was listening to Ricky Lee Jones "Walk Away Renee" from the album "Girl At Her Volcano" and there were moments when I thought that this is the best I've ever heard my system sound. I wasn't aware of a system as much as an event happening. Very addictive stuff!”

4 Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago