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Anyone upgraded from Hana ML to Umami Red?

Happy Sunday! I’ve had the Hana ML (low output) for about a year on a Clearaudio Performance DC w/Tracer tonearm. Phono stage is Goldnote PS-10 / PSU-10.

I enjoy the ML very much but planning on upgrading in a few months.

I think the ML is very good for the money, and I’ve been advised that the Umami Red, while very good, at $4K doesn’t have the same price/performance ratio.

However, the US distributor offers a trade-in program so it appears I could get the Umami for around $3K. Maybe at that price the value proposition makes more sense?

I’d love to hear comments if anyone has made the same move.

Thanks

macg19
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 

@macg19 Great point about setup- reserve a little budget for a decent protractor and vtf gauge! Developing self sufficiency in setup and dialing in is a great skill to have.

I also +1 the preference for dealing with a cart manufacturer that offers full service ( retip and rebuild ) as that's a long term savings.

I am in the trade and when I picked the two cart manufacturers I chose to represent ( Aidas & Tedeska ) they had to be excellent sounding of course, but offering full service was of paramount importance in the decision making process. 

Happy hunting :)

portoalegre's avatar
portoalegre
22 posts
 

What have you decided? I have a hana Umami Red, and love it! Has anybody compared it to Etsuro Cobalt Blue?

macg19 OP
912 posts
 

@portoalegre I went with the Aidas Durawood Bee which was a huge upgrade from the Hana ML (still have it but it’s looking for a new home) as I’ve moved on to a new TT and  MSL Signature Platinum, along with microscopy analysis and full toolset from WallyTools - which as far as I’m concerned is essential if you are serious about analogue.

 

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