Description
Master cartridge designer Masao Okada-san of Excel Sound celebrates over 5 decades of innovation and excellence with his new masterpiece, featuring a diamond cantilever and new “OKD” High-Efficiency Moving Coil Generator. The Umami Black is much more than just an Umami Red with a diamond cantilever.
Diamond Cantilever
In a category first for HANA, the Umami Black incorporates a diamond cantilever, the hardest possible material, ideal for signal transfer.
High-Efficiency “OKD” Moving Coil Generator
Another category first, the Umami Black uses the newly developed “OKD” with the world’s first “Integrated Pole Piece and Rear Yoke” and Inverted U-shaped Front Yoke, optimizing energy transfer from the diamond cantilever.
Inverted U Front Yoke
The U-shaped (bifurcated) inverted front yoke is engineered for both mechanical resonance control and magnetic field alignment, while also providing precise support for the diamond cantilever.
High-Power Rare Earth Magnet
Unique to the Umami Black, the rare-earth neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnet is used in the high-efficiency generator, delivering superior energy conversion.
Hybrid Carbon Armature
A 2mm square hybrid Carbon permalloy armature, comprising 78% carbon-infused nickel-iron, is precisely hand-wound with 30-micron, 4N high-purity copper wire on Excel’s proprietary machinery. This ultra-light moving coil has an output of 0.3mV at 5 ohms.
Special Urushi Enameled Finish
The HANA-Umami Black features an exquisite Urushi lacquer finish, applied through a specialized thermosetting process that bonds to the aluminum body via vapor deposition.
High-Power Rare Earth Magnet and Hybrid Armature
Unique to the Umami Black, the rare earth neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnet is used for the high-efficiency generator, delivering superior energy conversion. A 2mm square
hybrid Carbon permalloy armature, comprising 78% carbon-infused nickel-iron, is precisely hand-wound with 30-micron, 4N high-purity copper wire on Excel’s proprietary machinery.
This ultra-light moving coil has an output of 0.3mV at 5 ohms, ideal for both modern MC phono stages (both voltage and current amplification circuits) and step-up transformers.
Auricle™ Cartridge Body
At the heart of the Umami series lies the exclusive Auricle™ body design, engineered to rigidly support the “Open Air” Moving Coil generator. Inspired by the shape of the human
outer ear, it is machined from A7075 aircraft-grade aluminum, among the strongest and lightest alloys available. The Umami Black body features a black zirconia inlay on its
facia for added damping and visual elegance. Tapped and threaded mounting holes ensure optimal tonearm integration, enhancing focus, dynamics, and low-frequency definition.
Special Urushi Enameled Finish
The HANA-Umami Black features an exquisite Urushi lacquer finish, inspired by traditional Makie Japanese artistry. Applied through a specialized thermosetting process
at 120 C, the lacquer bonds to the aluminum body via vapor deposition, creating a durable, high-gloss surface. This multi-stage treatment not only adds visual elegance—it also serves
a functional purpose: by controlling resonances, it enhances clarity, imaging precision, and bass definition, contributing to the Umami Black’s uniquely rich sonic signature.
Microline Stylus
The ‘nude’ natural diamond Microline stylus mirrors the shape of the original cutting head stylus used in mastering vinyl records. With a .22mm square profile and precisely mounted
to the diamond cantilever, it captures the subtlest musical nuances.
Cryogenic Processing
Cryogenic treatment enhances metal properties by subjecting them to extremely low temperatures, typically below -300°F (-184°C), to refine their microstructure for enhanced
conductivity, reduced distortion, and remarkable tonal purity. All magnetic and signal path components— U front yoke, integrated pole piece/rear yoke, and 24k gold-plated brass
output pins—are subjected to deep cryogenic treatment.
SPECIFICATIONS
BODY
Material: Duralumin (A7075)
Shape: Auricle open air
Finish: Urushi lacquer through thermosetting process
CANTILEVER ASSEMBLY
Cantilever: Diamond
Stylus: Microline Nude Diamond
MAGNETIC CIRCUITRY
Structure: “OKD” generator with Inverted U Front Yoke and Integrated Pole Piece and Rear Yoke Armature
Material: Permalloy, 78% carbon-infused nickel-iron Armature
Shape: 2mm Square Plate Parts
Material: Pure Iron
Magnet: Neodymium (NdFeB)
COIL
Coil Impedance: 5 Ω
Output Voltage: 0.3mV
Load Impedance: ≥ 50 Ω
TREATMENT
Cryogenic: “OKD” generator with U Front Yoke, Integrated Pole Piece and Rear Yoke, Gold-plated Output Pins
Frequency Response: 15-50,000Hz
Output Balance:0.5dB/1KHz
Channel Separation:30dB/1KHz
Tracking Force Weight:2g
Trackability:70μm/2gr.
Dynamic Compliance:10 x 10-6 cm/dyne (100Hz) Estimated at 17 x 10-6 cm/dyne at 10Hz
Cartridge Weight: 11.3g
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