Thread: TAS: Hana Umami Red Phono Cartridge Review

Hana Umami Red Phono Cartridge - Equipment Report
- Deliciously Enjoyable

Equipment Report
by Andre Jennings

My TAS Equipment Report of the Hana Umami Red Phono Cartridge is now online here:
Hana Umami Red Phono Cartridge - The Absolute Sound

"The Umami Red has significantly better macro-dynamics, harmonic complexity, and warmth than the Hana ML, while, at the same time, keeping the higher frequencies smoother and more extended"

Hana Umami Red Phono Cartridge - The Absolute Sound

Enjoy,
Dre

Hi Mike,

Briefly:

The Umami Red, as setup and used with the equipment I have here, is more dynamic, transients are sharper, and the frequency extremes seem subjectively more extended. It is exceptionally balanced and performs like a premium cartridge, IMO.

The Windfeld Ti is more buttoned-up and poised. It is a bit more reserved with note transients or decays but it works surprisingly well with the way it portrays music.

Subjectively, my personal preference (which I generally work to leave to the side when reviewing equipment so as to give a less biased report that, IMO, benefits more readers ) leans towards the Umami Red’s top to bottom performance. Again, this is in my setup with my personal (non-reviewing) preferences for music reproduction.

Note: The above is also based on my (I'm sure there is someone that would say limited) cartridge setup skills.

If you have more specific questions, let me know.

Dre

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Dre -

Really appreciate your perspective. Great to have several excellent cartridges at a price point that won't break the bank.

It took a while to get my Ortofon W Ti to sound right in my system. And, I do align with your observations on the Ti's strengths and opportunities. I'm starting to think about my next cartridge; sounds like the Unami Red should be on my list for consideration. Priced right (don't want to go over $6K) and appears to be a great sounding piece.

Thx!

Hi Mike,

The Umami Red is definitely worth a consideration/listen.

I personally think it is best to listen to the item (anything being considered for purchase) if at all possible before purchase when the opportunity presents itself. I know that's not always possible.

Dre

Originally Posted by MDP

Great article Dre! I'm curious about how quiet cartridges track. My Cadenza Black tracks super quiet, how about the Hana?

I would be super interested in other cartridges you've heard that are super quiet!

Hi Mark,

Congratulations on your new Kharma dB9-Signature speakers.

The Hana’s are good at tracking the groove and keeping the signal to noise ratio to a minimum. Groove noise is low compared to the music’s level.

Outside of a dirty record that is a problem for any cartridge, the performance is very good.

If the LP’s have groove damage in the form of tick and pops (real damage) the cartridge will pick them up. The Ortofons do this as well. What can sometimes be an issue is how the phonostage handles the ultrasonic peaks from those sharp transients. But that’s another issue all together.

The Umami Red is good at keeping the noise down but will lock in and trace the groove when set up similar to the Cadenza Black. Both cartridges have a very good stylus. So, if the groove has real scratches, the cartridge will pick them up. However, in my experience, that click or pop seems to be on a different plane and, although there, doesn’t impede on the music to the point it is annoying -- assuming a phonostage that can handle the transient peaks without overloading or oscillating.

I’ll PM you an example of a used record that was cleaned three times (two ultrasonic and one brush-type) and if you listen through the song, you can hear the Hana Umami trace the groove damage but it is separate from the music, even on this old used LP that was cleaned of all but groove damaged clicks.

Dre