Hana Umami Red vs Transrotor Figaro: My Personal Listening Comparison

Today, I want to share my thoughts on two high-end MC cartridges that I had the pleasure of testing extensively: the Hana Umami Red (around €3,700) and the Transrotor Figaro, which comes in at a more affordable €2,790.
Both are well-regarded in the audiophile world, but once mounted and playing, they offer very different listening experiences...

Sound Quality & Musicality

Hana Umami Red
Right from the first spins, the Umami Red impresses with its precision and detail. On an album like Kind of Blue by Miles Davis, every instrument is perfectly placed and subtle nuances are beautifully rendered. Technically, it’s very impressive—but to my ears, it can come across as a bit too analytical at times. Especially in the low end, I felt it lacked a bit of warmth and body.

Important note: The Hana I tested was nearly new, with only about 3 to 4 hours of play time. So it’s entirely possible it hadn’t fully opened up yet.

Transrotor Figaro
The Figaro offers a completely different experience—immediately engaging and musical. The sound is full, natural, and rich. On Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, the soundstage was stunning—I honestly felt like the room expanded. And on Abbey Road by The Beatles, the bass on Come Together was tight, deep, and extremely satisfying.

Also worth noting: The Figaro I used had already been broken in for about 30 hours, which is significant. The difference in maturity compared to the almost-new Hana was clearly audible.

Edge: Figaro – Wider soundstage, more organic and emotionally engaging presentation.

Dynamics & Impact

Hana Umami Red
It truly shines in subtle, intricate passages—but when it comes to more dynamic music, it can feel a little restrained. On A Love Supreme by John Coltrane, the saxophone is beautifully rendered, but the percussion lacked some punch and body. Again, this might be partially due to the minimal break-in time.

Transrotor Figaro
In contrast, the Figaro delivers with energy and immediacy. On Back in Black by AC/DC, guitars hit hard and drums have a physical presence—you’re right there in the mix. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen really showcases its dynamic range, handling transitions and complex layering effortlessly.

Edge: Figaro – More impactful and expressive with energetic tracks.

Versatility & Compatibility

I also had the opportunity to test the Transrotor Figaro on a Transrotor ZET 1 fitted with a Rega RB880 tonearm—a fairly classic setup considering the cartridge’s origin. And once again, the same strengths came through: superb balance, excellent dynamics, and a wide, open soundstage.

Beyond that, I tried it on turntables from Rega, Clearaudio, Technics SL-1200G, and VPI. The Figaro handled each pairing with ease, never sounding out of place or finicky about tonearm or phono stage.
The Hana Umami Red, on the other hand, seems more sensitive to matching—it requires a bit more care to really shine.

Edge: Figaro – Broad compatibility and consistently strong performance across setups.

My Personal Verdict

I had high expectations for the Hana Umami Red, especially considering its reputation and price. And yes, it’s a top-tier cartridge.
But the one that truly made me want to stay in my chair and just keep spinning records for hours was without a doubt the Transrotor Figaro.

It’s significantly less expensive (€2,790 vs €3,700), easier to integrate into a variety of systems, and—most importantly—it puts the music front and center. It doesn’t just analyze recordings; it brings them to life.

If you’re looking for a cartridge that can elevate any genre—from classical to jazz to rock—and works well across a range of turntables, the Transrotor Figaro is, in my opinion, an excellent choice.

Have questions about matching it with your system? Or maybe your own impressions to share? I’d love to hear from you!