Classic Japanese design school blending traditional and leading edge and materials and techniques, including ebony, CNC machined, aerospace grade (7000-series) Duralumin, Urushi lacquering, rare-earth magnets, precision-cut diamond, and high-purity copper wires.

The ingredients are 1st rate, and the skill and craftsmanship blends these into something special.

Applying lessons learned in the development of the "Red", the Umami Blue is more than its little brother.

A few key differentiators between it and the "Red" include:

• Alnico magnets vs. the "Red's" samarium cobalt magnets
• A coil impedance of 8 ohms vs. 6 ohms for the "Red"
• The "Red's" body is a composite of Duraluminum and Ebony, whereas the Blue has no ebony.

Both cartridges sport a microline stylus mounted to a boron cantilever.

This microridge stylus cartridge comes in two versions:  low (ML) and high (MH) output, with the latter being compatible with your moving magnet phono stage.

The "M" series takes the "S" series cartridge just a bit further, with it's threaded, brass section, for tighter mechanical coupling with your tonearm's headshell, cryogenic treatment, high purity copper, and a nude microline stylus (which more closely matches the cutter head).

Three versions:  low (SL) and high (SH) output and low output mono (SL Mono).

Of course, the high output version, is compatible with your moving magnet phono stage.

A "Golden Ear" award cartridge from TAS, and for good reason.  You could stop here, and forever be happy.

Low and high output stereo versions.  As with all high output versions, the EH is compatible with MM phono stages.

There are some very nice touches in this cartridge, including Alnico magnets and a sophisticated cross coil magnetic circuitry.

If you love the tactile, balanced presentation of the Denon DL 103 and 103R, this cartridge was designed for you.  But then again, balance is characteristic of the entire Hana lineup.