Nagaoka MP-110 Compliance Question

[Perr]

Static Compliance is listed as 18cm/dyne.
Dynamic Compliance is listed as 6cm/dyne.

Which number do I use? Is this cart low, medium or high compliance?
Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Bob_in_OKC]

Dynamic is generally what is used, but the Japanese manufacturers use a different frequency. It results in a number that's about half, if you're going by the usual formulas or the calculator at Vinyl Engine. The Nagaoka is in the medium range.

 

[moinau]

You use the Dynamic compliance

A phono cartridge with the compliance in the range of 5 to 10 µm/mN is considered as a very low compliance cartridge, a cartridge with the compliance in the range of 10 to 20 µm/mN is moderate compliance cartridge and a cartridge with the compliance value above 35µm/mN is very high compliance cartridge.

http://www.ortofon.com/support/cartridgetonearm-resonance-frequency

 

[skriefal]

You need to be careful here. Some manufacturers -- especially those in Japan -- specify compliance at 100 hz instead of the more common 10 hz measurements. Audio Technica and Denon are two such manufacturers; Nagaoka is likely to be another. Unfortunately there is no perfect way to convert between the 10hz and 100hz measurements, but a quick guesstimate is that the MP110 is probably closer to 11 cm/dyne at 10hz. Still in the low-compliance range, but not very low... more "medium-to-upper low".

 

[GrampaDave]

Is there any use for static compliance? Other than, "That's the only figure they publish"?

Dave

 

[neobop]

Nagaoka lists compliance at 100Hz. Based on Audio Technica, conversions are a sliding scale with low cu converted to a little more than double 100Hz cu. As cu increases the conversion factor lessens. For example:

AT95 - 6.5 cu @ 100Hz, = 15 cu @ 10Hz.

AT440 - 10 cu @100Hz = 18 cu @ 10Hz

Assuming compliance can be universally converted like this, the Nagaoka would be around 14 cu.
neo

 

[Catcher10]

Use dynamic.....since this is a Japanese cart, I have read to use anywhere from 1.5-2.0 conversion factor since this is reported at 100Hz. For ball-parking I use 1.8.....

6 x 1.8 = 10.8

Then of course you can use this to help calculate the RF of the setup.

 

[crossram]

Nagaoka lists compliance at 100Hz. Based on Audio Technica, conversions are a sliding scale with low cu converted to a little more than double 100Hz cu. As cu increases the conversion factor lessens. For example:

AT95 - 6.5 cu @ 100Hz, = 15 cu @ 10Hz.

AT440 - 10 cu @100Hz = 18 cu @ 10Hz

Assuming compliance can be universally converted like this, the Nagaoka would be around 14 cu.
neo

14 is probably right. Another indicator is recommended tracking force, which is listed as 1.5-2.0g for the MP-110. This would be consistent with a cu of 14. If you are trying to determine compartible tonearm mass, consider that the mass of the MP-110 is 6.5g, so an arm with an effective mass between 12-21g would be a safe bet.

Keep in mind that compliance is only one parameter in determining a compatible arm/cartridge combo as damping of the arm and the cartridge suspension also play into it. This, and other factors that are not spec'd, sometimes make a given cartridge play well in an arm that compliance calculations would not indicate (and vice versa). So, the better question to ask is: "Has anyone used the MP-110 with the XXX arm and how did it sound/behave?" or "What arm works well with the MP-110?"

Dave

 

[Bob_in_OKC]

As an example, with a tonearm effective mass of 12g and a cartridge mass of 6g, the good compatibility range is from 11cu to 24cu. It's a pretty broad range. This stuff isn't required to be precise.

 

[Perr]

Thanks to all for the invaluable info.
Best regards,
Perr

 

[Rasputin]

The Thorens TP90 tonearm is ideal for the MP110, 150 and 200. Thorens rates the arm 17 grams but HIFI Choice tested it in 1992 as closer to 14grams which makes it a perfect match to the 11-15 dynamic compliance (@10hz) of the three cartridges. I have alternated these cartridges for a couple years on this arm and the results are nothing less than superb. Dynamics, resolution, pace, space and bass are all spectacular. This arm is very rigid and stable and brings out the best from these cartridges IMO. The TP90 (Thorens’ best arm) comes standard on the TD320 mk3, TD160Super mk5 and TD2001 which are some of Thorens best tables from the late 80s/early 90s. They have the great arm as well as thickwall brass bearing (Thorens’ answer to Linn’s Cirkus?). I have a Cirkused Linn and the Nagaokas sound no better on it.