Nagaoka MP-110

[grizzly944]

Just received last night. During installation saw that the pins off the back of the cartridge are smaller than normal. Had to deform the lead ends of my wires to fit. Also seems really hard to set up on my turntable. Anyone else ever have these issues?

 

[BamaBilly]

Not with that cart and my problem was the other was around, wires didn’t want to fit on the pins on the cart. I used a toothpick to open the ends up a little and fixed the problem.

 

[Mr Boochie]

Just received last night. During installation saw that the pins off the back of the cartridge are smaller than normal. Had to deform the lead ends of my wires to fit. Also seems really hard to set up on my turntable. Anyone else ever have these issues?

Hard to setup the alignment and tracking force? I'd imagine the MP-110 would align similar to the MP-200? I didn't have too much trouble on my Technics deck. I needed to use a heavier headshell to get the weight of the headshell and cartridge into range, so that the resonance measured around 8-10Hz.

I use a Baerward two-point measuring tool to align the cartridge on the arm.

The MP-200 is one of the better MM I've tried.

 

[knotscott]

Because my MP-150"H" came with the Nag headshell, my experience was very simple... it was pretty much plug and play. I even got lucky with the overhang, as it was precisely where I needed. I've still got some fiddling to do with VTF, VTA, and anti-skate, but the actual mount was a non-issue.

 

[grizzly944]

Wish it was that easy on my Music Hall. I would be able to swap in and out different cartridges. With my alignment disc I'm splitting the difference between outer and inner; didn't have to do it with the other cartridges. Quick play last night sounds like this is going to much better

 

[benricci]

That's odd. I've had three of them, and never an issue connecting the headshell wires or aligning it. In fact, it's a perfectly squared-off body so it's one of the easiest cartridges I've ever had to line up align properly.

 

[Taketheflame]

I don't find the MP-series difficult to install or align.

Yes, the cantilever is a bit "tucked back" compared to some other carts, but with a decent quality protractor, just make sure the stylus lands on the dots, and if the body is parallel with the grid lines, you should be good to go.

I actually find their square bodies very helpful with the alignment part tbh.

 

[Mr Boochie]

Some like the mirrored protractors. You need to get directly over the cartridge at both points, but seeing the needle contact is easier with the mirror type (in my opinion). Solid white plastic protractors are nice if you cannot get directly over the cartridge (like the table is too high, on the shelf).

Even the MoFi Geo-Disc is nice. Its single point alignment corresponds well with the two-point Baerwald alignment.

 

[bimasta]

The pins off the back of the cartridge are smaller than normal. Had to deform the lead ends of my wires to fit.

My problem was the other was around, wires didn’t want to fit on the pins on the cart. I used a toothpick to open the ends up a little and fixed the problem.

There are 2 different sized pins — 1.2mm is common, but a few are 1mm (e.g. Grace carts). It amazes and annoys me that cartridge m'frs never standardized a few things.

VDH makes cartridge clips (lugs) in both sizes. They fit perfectly, tight but easy to push on, and the quality is exceptional: the base metal is solid and doesn't bend (or break!) when pushed on with pliers, and the gold plating is thick. Not expensive.

Fitting a cartridge is such fiddly work, it's worth a few bucks to have finely made clips of machine-tool quality. One less thing to fret about. Use heat-shink tubing and a dab of epoxy after soldering, and they'll never break off... unless you try.

I use these; very strong, a buck each, but he only has 1.2mm size. Shipping free, arrives in a week.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/362775770452?hash=item54771ef554:g:hmUAAOSwqIxdml96

 

[grizzly944]

Thanks for your help gentlemen. It's mostly sorted out; a little more tweaking to do. Wish I knew about the adapters earlier but I save them for next time.