Hana ML
Ortofon Cadenza Red
Ortofon Cadenza Blue
Hana Umami Blue
Befitting its name, the M Series uses a Nude Microline stylus, mimicking the cutting stylus and fitting more precisely into the vinyl groove. This enhances tracking to capture the most delicate musical details with better frequency reproduction, stereo imaging, and resolution.
The coil of the ML's new low-impedance generator—the same generator used in the Hana Umami Blue—is wound with a very high-purity copper wire. Implementing the new generator optimizes performance and provides superior matching with a broader range of phono preamps.
The M Series cartridge body is injection molded from Delrin©, a high-tech polymer with improved mechanical characteristics for better resonance damping, to reveal more low-level information and enhance dynamic range.
Cryogenic processing is Cold Annealing at near absolute zero temperature that restructures metals at the molecular level, especially important in the Alnico-based magnetic electro-motive circuit (cartridge signal generator). The M Series parts treated include the front yoke as well as the center and rear components. The result is a more precise and controlled magnetic flux field for greater linearity and musical sound quality.
The Delrin© cartridge body features a machined brass cap providing constrained mode layer damping and its heavier 9.5 gram weight provides expanded compatibility with a wider range of tonearms and turntables.
Built into the M Series Delrin© cartridge body are metal threaded fittings for headshell mounting hardware, offering easier attachment and a superior mechanical interface for better bass and dynamics.
Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
Ortofon Cadenza Black
Hana Umami Red
As with all modern Ortofon ranges, the introductory cartridge in the Cadenza Series is the Red model. The Cadenza Red is a stylish, high-quality cartridge that boasts a nude fine line stylus with a cylindrical aluminium cantilever.
The stylus tip radius is r/R 8/40µm, allowing the diamond to a read significant amount of the recorded information.
The internal coils are made from 6NX (99.9999%) pure silver wire for optimal signal generation, and the improved winding process on the armature allows a better channel balance for good stereo imaging.
The Cadenza Red delivers a sound performance that is open and dynamic, with a touch of warmth. It is more relaxed, homogeneous and moderately dynamic when compared to the Cadenza Blue. It also has a great space and dept in the stereo image. All in, it is a very capable high-end cartridge.
What we say:
A stunning introduction to one of the most accomplished cartridge ranges on the market. This versatile cartridge represents an excellent cost vs performance ratio.
The Cadenza Blue is a high-quality cartridge that boasts a Nude FG 70 stylus with a very thin ruby cantilever.
The improved winding process of the armature ensures better channel balance than any model that came before it at the price.
The styling is the same as adorned by it's kin, and the build-quality reflects Ortofon's 100% commitment to a reputable product, and happy customers.
The soundstage is wide, open and grandiose as soon as you take it out of the box.
Micro dynamics and ambience will be evident when listening to complex compositions creating a full and involving performance.
The Blue also reaches a very high degree of detail and positioning. It is a true to the music cartridge with a tremendous clarity.
What we say
Like it’s smaller brothers, the Blue has an enviable ability to take what the Red does and pushes it further.
There’s no doubt that it benefits from being partnered by an equally excellent tonearm and turntable, but this cartridge just shines, wherever it may be.
The Hana Umami Blue hand-built MC cartridge embodies ‘Umami’- that very pleasing or delicious flavour on the palette, a synergistic effect resulting in higher taste intensity.
Hana’s Master cartridge designer Maseo Okada-san applies this ‘taste intensity’ concept as he combines brilliant materials and processes with classic Japanese techniques and modern audio engineering, to create his Hana Umami Blue low output MC cartridge; with ‘trickle-down’ design features as offered in the higher specification (and outstanding) Umami Red cartridge.
The total design approach creates the classic sonic qualities and great value that Hana cartridges are now so well known for and positions the Umami Blue between the Hana ML and Umami Red cartridge price points.
The Hana Umami Blue uses the exclusive Auricle™ body shape (with tapped mounting holes) that mimics the form of the human outer ear, to rigidly support and help protect the “Open Air” Moving Coil generator.
It is machined from a hard but light Duralumin with a special multi-layer melamine (MTP) brilliant glossy blue finish. An easy to fit stylus guard protects your investment.
The slim profile of this Nude Fine Line diamond stylus will track even the highest frequency information, making it a must for discerning listeners. Additionally, its larger footprint ensures reduced distortion and record wear.
The MC Quintet Bronze adds even more details and resolution but in a very even-handed way that pays respect to all elements. Classical music will be reproduced with power and open space around every instrument.
All types of music will be expressed with the highest accuracy, precision and dynamics.
What we say:
The fine detail this cart offers is a step into the sophistication that can normally only be achieved by investing more money with other cartridges. An excellent performer.
The Cadenza Black is a flagship-status cartridge that boasts a a pristine-cut Nude Shibata stylus with a boron cantilever.
The effective mass of the stylus/cantilever system is extremely low due to the use of a very thin boron rod; this material is extremely stiff and even more lightweight than aluminium, making it a real premium component.
It has been optimized for an amazing tonal neutrality, dynamics and purity of sound. It performs better than any other cartridge at this level in detail, consistency and sound staging.
What we say:
This really is a phenomenal cartridge. It’s grip on the music and its ability to convey the emotion of a recording really is something that has to be heard to be believed…and appreciated. An incredible performer that demands your attention and one of the finest cartridges we’ve experienced.
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 flavour on the palette, a synergistic effect resulting in higher taste intensity.
The cryogenically treated MC generator features a samarium/cobalt magnet with a pure-iron square plate armature, hand-wound with high purity 30-micron copper wire for an internal impedance of 6Ω and 0.4mV output.
A Nude Microline stylus is bonded to a solid Boron cantilever for tracing the most delicate musical nuances from the LP.
The HANA-Umami Red exclusive Auricle™ body design (with tapped mounting holes) mimics the shape of the human outer ear to rigidly support the cryogenically treated “Open Air” Moving Coil generator.
It is machined from a hard Duralumin with a multi-layered Urushi lacquer finish originating from the Japanese Makie-artistic tradition and incorporates an Ebony Wood inlay resonance damper. An easy to fit stylus guard protects your investment.