Nagaoka MP-110 with light tonearm

[Princeps]

I have a Yamaha P-20 turntable with an 11g tonearm. I've been told this is too light for a Nagoaka MP110. I'm using this calculator to detirmine if it will work:

http://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge_resonance_evaluator.php?eff_mass=11&submit=Submit

Does anybody having experience with carts that are just on the border of dynamic compliance and tonearm mass? If this can't work out I am open to suggestions for another cart around $120.

http://imgur.com/gzHtf91

So if the dynamic compliance is 10-12 with a 6.5g cartridge that means it's right on the border of yellow and green.

 

[Balifly]

I have a Yamaha P-20 turntable with an 11g tonearm.

If this can't work out I am open to suggestions for another cart around $120.

Welcome to the AK turn table forum.

The Ortofon OM 10 cartridge may fit your requirement.
http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/it.A/id.274/.f

It is also available on Ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ortofon-OM1...273039?hash=item2a67a1a44f:g:RIsAAOxyNo9So49A

• Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force *) 70 µm

• Compliance, dynamic, lateral 25 µm/mN

• Stylus type Elliptical

• Stylus tip radius r/R 8/18 µm

• Equivalent stylus tip mass 0,5 mg

• Tracking force range 1,25-1,75 g (12,5-17,5 mN)

• Tracking force, recommended 1,5 g (15 mN)

 

[Princeps]

Shouldn't I get the Ortofon Red instead of that? Either way I want to see if you guys know if I could run a Nagaoka MP-110 on my 11g tonearm. Thanks for the info though.

 

[bobins08]

Shouldn't I get the Ortofon Red instead of that? Either way I want to see if you guys know if I could run a Nagaoka MP-110 on my 11g tonearm. Thanks for the info though.

The Nagaoka MP 110 will work on that arm.

Add the weight of the mounting hardware to the calculation, at least a half gram. If you can add a few grams of mass that will help too.

I used as Denon DL 110 on a Yamaha P751, similar arm, worked great. The Denon comes with a 2 gram weight plate, the P751 has adjustable VTA so adding the plate was not a problem.

I would pick the Nagaoka over the Ortofon Red. If you do not have a mass plate just measure two grams of Blue Tack and spread it evenly on top of the headshell. It adds mass and dampens vibration.

Best thing about the Nag is you can upgrade the stylus. They are totally underrated cartridges IMO.

Cheers, Bob

 

[Princeps]

Wow thanks for the advice, so I don't have weight plates. I'm also not sure if I have adjustable VTA. If it doesn't work out I guess I can just sell it used anyway.

 

[bobins08]

Wow thanks for the advice, so I don't have weight plates. I'm also not sure if I have adjustable VTA. If it doesn't work out I guess I can just sell it used anyway.

It will work out. Use heavy mounting hardware if you can and add mass to the headshell with blue tack. Add 2 grams and try it.

 

[Balifly]

Shouldn't I get the Ortofon Red instead of that? Either way I want to see if you guys know if I could run a Nagaoka MP-110 on my 11g tonearm. Thanks for the info though.

Sure get the Ortofon Red.

You can run the Nagoaka MP-110 on the 11 g tone arm.

You may or may not like the result.

You can get a different stylus for the Nagoaka MP-110 cartridge if you don't like the one you got now.

 

[Catcher10]

I have a MP-110 and ran it on a Pro-Ject 9c which is about 9.5g arm.......Sounded excellent IMO. Get the MP-200 if you can save up money, then you can swap in like a MP-300 or even MP-500 stylus in the future as upgrade. The MP-200 is much more refined sound than MP-110, either way you are getting a great cart.

Best tracking cart for the money.

 

[Princeps]

Alright I'm just worried it won't track well because of the low compliance. I've heard Nagaoka are really higher compliance than they claim. I'm going to buy it anyway because I really like the warm sound. Thanks a lot for the help.

 

[hifitommy]

i have to disagree about the compliance of the nagoaka. at 8.5x10/6 it is little more than a third to a fourth the compliance of an ADC XLM which is one that really needs a low mass arm. i would not worry putting the nagoaka in a medium to high mass arm. the yamaha arm at 11gr isn't exactly high mass. i would go for the mp200 because it is the lowest price with a boron cantilever. boron is found in the BEST cartridges so the mp200 may be the bargain to get.

 

[sreten]

Hi,

The stated compliance of the MP110 is basically utter nonsense and
it will work utterly fine in an 11g arm without any additional weight.

In fact its compliance is rather high for a budget cartridge,
and one that makes no attempt to reduce its own weight.

I've read the various tests, not the specification.

rgds, sreten.

 

[bobins08]

Based on the last two posts I would try it on the 11 gram arm without adding mass. You can always add the Blu Tack latter and remove it if it is not needed.

Agree on a MP 200 as the sweet spot with the boron cantilever. I am going to get one sometime.

I heard my friends MP 500 and it is really great.

 

[hifitommy]

i have never heard a nagoaka but IF i weren't WELL stocked with unused cartridges, i would want one post haste.

 

[Straker62]

Please be aware that the value of compliance declared for all the Nagaoka cartridges is declared at 100hz: the only value usable to calculate the arm-cartridge matching is the one at 10 hz, that usually is almost double the 100 hz one. The real compliance of Nagaoka MP-110 is about 18 cu. On the net you will find some threads that speaks about this issue.

 

[hifitommy]

that value still falls well below that of the XLM, which was something like 50, and they were really floppy but then the cantilever was VERY short.