Another Mystery Cartridge

[GerardG]

Well, it's a mystery to me at least. This came on the original headshell for a Sears Canada LXI turntable my father found at a flea market but lacked a stylus. He did put a generic Shure N91 stylus on it. It fit but was unimpressive sounding.

The cartridge dosen't seem to be anything terribly exciting but I am wondering.

Any ideas?

Gerard

 

[GerardG]

Well, it's a mystery to me at least. This came on the original headshell for a Sears Canada LXI turntable my father found at a flea market but lacked a stylus. He did put a generic Shure N91 stylus on it. It fit but was unimpressive sounding.

The cartridge dosen't seem to be anything terribly exciting but I am wondering.

Any ideas?

Gerard

Gerard

After more Google search it seems this might be a Nagoka 321B cartridge. Any other thoughts as to what it might be?

Gerard

 

[wualta]

I think you've got it exactly right.

 

[lini]

Yup, Gerard, that's an MM-321, that has lost its label. So: Bingo!


Walt: Not really. Those MM-321 Nagaokas just sometimes use their labels. And maybe the DJ-03s also do - but I haven't yet seen one of these with missing label.


Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[GerardG]

I think you've got it exactly right. It appears that there were [at least] two styles of mounting cap: the "crenellated" style of yours, and one with plain flat planes.
View attachment 2854227 View attachment 2854234 View attachment 2854239

Thank you for the confirmation, wualta.

I've looked on line and generic stili are available. Any thought on what might be a good choice? And, is it worth spending the money on as I know nothing about Nagoka and what seems to be a lower level cartridge (?).

Gerard

 

[GerardG]

Yup, Gerard, that's an MM-321, that has lost its label. So: Bingo!


Walt: Not really. Those MM-321 Nagaokas just sometimes use their labels. And maybe the DJ-03s also do - but I haven't yet seen one of these with missing label.


Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

Thank you for the reply.

I saw DJ 03s and wondered if it could be one, Manfred. Any thoughts on stili for it or Nagoka in general?

Gerard

 

[lini]

Gerard: Oh, well, commenting on Nagaoka cartridges in general would appear difficult to me, as they offered and still offer quite a few different models from decent entry-level up to very good ones.

And regarding the MM-321, personally I wouldn't really bother with that, 'cause even with an original B (a bonded conical) or BE (a bonded ellitpical) needle, it's just a decent entry-level model - not bad, but nothing to write home about, either.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[GerardG]

Gerard: Oh, well, commenting on Nagaoka cartridges in general would appear difficult to me, as they offered and still offer quite a few different models from decent entry-level up to very good ones.

And regarding the MM-321, personally I wouldn't really bother with that, 'cause even with an original B (a bonded conical) or BE (a bonded ellitpical) needle, it's just a decent entry-level model - not bad, but nothing to write home about, either.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

What you wrote is exactly what I'm thinking and wrote in my op. It is an entry level cart. It's decent but nothing outstanding either.

Thank you, again for your considered response.

Gerard