Gerald Jakob- san at High Fidelity Studio / HANA German distributor has forwarded us this excellent review article by Eric van Spelde -san in “Image-hifi” issue( No5 / 2024) edition, in Germany, for your further ongoing powerful reference.

Following is its conclusive English description, translated by them.

Title is : It´s the mixture that does it

Umami Blue is the mixture of ML and Umami Red, which are real highlights in their price class, but much more.
The generator is from the Ml but even the pins are cryo.
The cantilever is more like in the Umami Red.

output is 0,5 mV which is high enough to drive every MC phonostage

it´s very good that it comes with different screws for every headshell

needle cover is excellent

On this little details you see that the manufacturer is very experienced and has great manufacturing abilities. You also see this when you look at the very fair price.

The compliance of 10 is matching with most tonearms in the market.

I use a ML in my daily business as a reference. Compared to it the Umami blue seems to add less own sound, it sounds more real. The mids are more precise and finer.
The whole frequency range is very coherent but even more sporty, more free and finer than the ML. The highs are totally free of sharpness and the S tones are excellent.

there is more micro dynamics, more immediacy and physicality which I like very much.

it shows very good the difference between the 2 different turntables he uses

which both it shows a better bass .
dynamic gradations and contours are very natural

the fact that with every Hana cartridge going up the line you really get more sound shows that the manufacturer has a mature development process without any coincidence

conclution:

The Umami Blue seems like the combination of a ML and a Umami Red, but it is much more ! It´s qualities and it´s price performance ratio is as outstanding as with all the other Hanas. I other words: For 2500.- is this cartridge that could be used with every MC phonostage absolutely outstanding !