Hana Umami black?

[Corinthian]

Possibly a bit too soon as it seems this cartridge has only just been launched but has anyone heard a 'black' yet? I was looking at the hana website to try and get some information on the recommended life of their cartridges (in hours) when I saw the black...

Hana Umami MC Series Red and Blue - Hana Cartridges

The HANA-Umami Series hand-built MC cartridges embodies ‘Umami’ – officially coined by Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda-san as a very pleasing or delicious flavour on the palette, a synergistic effect resulting in higher taste intensity.

hana-cartridges.co.uk

I have owned the red for around 2 years and am really pleased with it, so if the 'signature' sound is similar then it would be a natural progression when the time comes to look for a replacement. The black is quite a lot more expensive though so expectations are high - presumably a fair chunk of that cost is in the diamond cantilever? I'm very curious to read opinions and hopefully get the chance to listen to one in time.

 

[Lynnot]

I do appriciate the introduction of a new and more expensive version rather than endless price adjustments (upwards) on the excisting range.

 

[Tangram]

I heard a Black yesterday at the Toronto Audiofest. Hearken Audio room. Reed Muse 1C table (in laminated birch - very pretty) with a Reed tonearm, the model name of which escapes me. High end electronics that I didn’t pay too much attention to, feeding Illumnia Magister speakers. With the caveat that this was a show, so non-ideal setting, Hearken’s room was a top three for me. The cartridge only had 50 hours on it but Matt Thomas (Hearken’s proprietor) said it was sounding better by the hour. The presentation was pleasing in its balance, dynamics, and tone. No cringey highs were noted. But how much of this was the cartridge is anyone’s guess since I’m not familiar with the rest of the system. But hey, at this price point it should sound pretty stellar. I am sure you could drop Matt a line or give him a call once the show wraps up. He will have had three straight days with the cartridge by then.

 

[Corinthian]

Thank you for those comments about Hearken Audio Tangram - you piqued my interest and so sent me scurrying off looking them up and I've been reading a couple of their posts re Toronto Audiofest. Interesting stuff and you seem impressed with what you heard. As you say, how much of that sound was down to the cartridge and how much the rest of the system? Totally agree with your comment that it should sound stellar at this price point - that's my view too. I'm starting to think about what will follow my umami red when its time is up, and heard a murasakino sumile last week that really impressed and this new black is at the same price point. Interestingly, I also heard a Top wing red sparrow and was underwhelmed given the hype - still very good, just not as good I was lead to believe/expecting, although I accept that loading may have not been optimal so perhaps not fair.

I may reach out to Matt for his thoughts, especially in relation to other hana umami offerings that I may be more familiar with and understand the reference point, but as I'm in the UK he's not going to be my local dealer!