Umami Sound Means Wonderful Taste in Music
Editor’s Note: We are excited to publish this press release by Ken Bowers of Musical Surroundings. We’re even more excited to be able to tell you that we will be publishing a full review of this cartridge when it’s released next month!
(Oakland, CA – August 3, 2020) The HANA-Umami Red hand-built MC cartridge embodies Umami, officially coined in 1908 by Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda-san as a very pleasing or delicious flavor on the palette, a synergistic effect resulting in higher taste intensity. Hana’s Master cartridge designer Masao Okada-san applies this concept as he combines brilliant materials and classic Japanese techniques with modern audio engineering in creating his HANA-Umami Red MC cartridge.
The HANA-Umami Red exclusive Auricle™ body design mimics the shape of the human outer ear to rigidly support the “Open Air” MC generator. It is machined from A7075 Duralumin with a multi-layered Urushi lacquer finish originating from the Japanese Makie-artistic tradition, and incorporates an Ebony Wood inlay, tapped mounting holes, and stylus guard. The cryogenically treated MC generator features a samarium/cobalt magnet with a Permalloy square plate armature, hand-wound with high purity 30-micron copper wire for an internal impedance of 6Ω and .4mV output. A Nude Microline stylus is bonded to a solid Boron cantilever for tracing the most delicate musical nuances from the LP.
All the major parts of the HANA-Umami Red are manufactured in house by Excel Sound with its highly trained craftsmen skillfully hand assembling each cartridge. Master designer Okada-san brings over 50 years of experience to this design, applying the Umami concept of synergy with the HANA-UmamiRed. Access complete product specifications here.
The HANA-Umami Red retails for $3,950 and sales officially begin on September 22, 2020, Autumnal Equinox Day (秋分の日or Shūbun no Hi in Japan).
For additional information Contact:
Garth Leerer – President
email: garth@musicalsurroundings.com
510-547-5006 Ext. 104 | cell 510-719-2601
Ken Bowers – North American Sales & Support
email: ken@musicalsurroundings.com
510-547-5006- Ext. 112 | cell 612-382-0603
