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NAGAOKA MP-200

maxhifi

maxhifi

Addicted Member
Just got one of these, and have to say it is a major upgrade from my Ortofon 2M Blue, and previous Clearaudio Aurum Classics.

I hear a lot about the MP-110 and the MP-500, but less about the 200. I picked it on account of it being the entry level model with the boron cantilever.

I am using it with a Thorens TD124, and SME 3012S2. Tracking is set to 1.75g, and I aligned it using the Dennesen protractor. Anti-skate set to 1.5g because it is adjustable in 0.5g increments.

The tracking and the amount of detail I'm getting are totally superior to anything else I've had at home. High frequencies are crisp and clean in a way which only expensive cartridges can present them. I think anyone looking for a cartridge in this price range would be foolish to not consider the MP-200.

The only thing so far I could present as a down side, is I am scared to death of damaging the extremely fine and delicate looking cantilever!
 
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I recently got an MP-500 and so far am enjoying it. When it was all said and done, it cost me a couple of bills less than the absolute turd of a 2M Black that was the worst cartridge I ever owned, and dumped a few months after getting it. (Replaced it with a beautiful Dynavector DV17D3.)

I wanted to try a high-output cart since I was previously using an Audio Technica ART7 (that is a very low output MC) and having issues with it and the SUT, and the MP-500 was about the only thing I liked out there in a high output besides the better Audio Technica carts (like the VM760SLC and a couple of older models). Heard a couple of Clearaudio MMs that did not impress--too bright.

The Nagaoka seems just right with the tonal balance. Really nice! I think you'll enjoy it!

A buddy bought an MP-110 as a sit-in for when he had his Soundsmith retipped, and really enjoyed it for the money. It's a shame they don't have more popularity, and that more dealers don't carry them. Kind of a sleeper brand.
 
i am relatively new to vinyl in general and in my time i have had experience with a bunch of audio-technica MM and denon MC but MP110 blew my mind. that bass! im a strictly nagaoka user now and 200 will be my next stop
 
maxhifi said:
Just got one of these, and have to say it is a major upgrade from my Ortofon 2M Blue, and previous Clearaudio Aurum Classics.

I hear a lot about the MP-110 and the MP-500, but less about the 200. I picked it on account of it being the entry level model with the boron cantilever.

I am using it with a Thorens TD124, and SME 3012S2. Tracking is set to 1.75g, and I aligned it using the Dennesen protractor. Anti-skate set to 1.5g because it is adjustable in 0.5g increments.

The tracking and the amount of detail I'm getting are totally superior to anything else I've had at home. High frequencies are crisp and clean in a way which only expensive cartridges can present them. I think anyone looking for a cartridge in this price range would be foolish to not consider the MP-200.

The only thing so far I could present as a down side, is I am scared to death of damaging the extremely fine and delicate looking cantilever!
Click to expand...

Of the Nagaoka cartridges I've tried or listened to, on other systems, I like the MP-200 the best. Long happy listening! :)

Nagaoka cart on AT headshell (2) smallest.jpg
 
Mr Boochie said:
Of the Nagaoka cartridges I've tried or listened to, on other systems, I like the MP-200 the best. Long happy listening! :)
Click to expand...

How many grams are you tracking yours at? I decided to back down slightly from the usual 2g I usually set everything to, to 1.75g because it is within the spec and logic says will prolong stylus life. So far it works so well I'm not motivated to tweak things.

I was really impressed with the MP-110 as well, for a budget-friendly cartridge, but the 200 is really a whole different level. What turntable is that?
 
maxhifi said:
How many grams are you tracking yours at? I decided to back down slightly from the usual 2g I usually set everything to, to 1.75g because it is within the spec and logic says will prolong stylus life. So far it works so well I'm not motivated to tweak things.

I was really impressed with the MP-110 as well, for a budget-friendly cartridge, but the 200 is really a whole different level. Is that an SP-10? Nice setup!
Click to expand...

2 grams.
 
I gave my brother-in-law a Nagaoka MP 110 a few years ago and that was an amazing cart for the money. Every once and awhile I see a good price on the MP-200 or MP-300 I might jump on one of those, especially for digitizing my collection.
 
I used to have the 2M red on Rega P3 and replaced it with Nagaoka MP-150 - what a difference!
Now when I compare it with a "cold" Ortofon cart I would never go back. I like 150's warmth, it gives a listener a clear separation of instruments and voices. I have some worn records and 150 does great with them! When I think about my next upgrade I want to go for 500, even though I still haven't excluded 200.
 
Moe Meow said:
I used to have the 2M red on Rega P3 and replaced it with Nagaoka MP-150 - what a difference!
Now when I compare it with a "cold" Ortofon cart I would never go back. I like 150's warmth, it gives a listener a clear separation of instruments and voices. I have some worn records and 150 does great with them! When I think about my next upgrade I want to go for 500, even though I still haven't excluded 200.
Click to expand...

May want to try plugging an MP-200 stylus into that 150 cartridge? The boron cantilever does make a difference. :)
 
...and right after I have complained about the colour of the MP200 I have to admit that I am expecting shipment of a veerryy green stylus that looks even worse. So I guess I have to get used to a more colourful Lenco soon :D
...and agree on those high Nag prices here in the old world. Not fun.
 
I have the MP-200 and love it. I'm not sure why I bought it. I had an MP-110 a few years ago and hated it. My Hana EH wasn't working real well with the phono stages of either of my integrated amps so I took a chance on the Nagaoka and am glad that I did.
 
T68 said:
...and right after I have complained about the colour of the MP200 I have to admit that I am expecting shipment of a veerryy green stylus that looks even worse. So I guess I have to get used to a more colourful Lenco soon :D
...and agree on those high Nag prices here in the old world. Not fun.
Click to expand...

Seems that the world-wide cost of Boron has gone up a lot. Over the last few years. Prolly, contributes to $$$ increase in all boron cantilever cartridges.

Should have invested in it, 20 years ago. :)
 
Well, there are at least half a dozen high quality MC cartridges with boron cantilevers and line contact styli that are less expensive than Nagaoka MP-300, and when it comes to MP-500, I can add just 1 euro to its list price and get a ZYX Bloom 3 which doesn’t have a boron cantilever but is an excellent cartridge in its own right. With all respect to Nagaoka, this is kinda ridiculous.
 
stratokaster said:
Great colour. I love it.

What stops me is the European prices for Nagaoka cartridges, they are truly ridiculous.
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That's true! I have a couple of websites (most of them German ones) where I usually buy and sometimes I am able to find good deals.
Like 200 or 500, I found it the cheapest here: https://www.dacapoaudio.com/nagaoka-turntable-cartridges/4425-nagaoka-mp-200.html and I am surprised that it is cheaper than on Amazon: https://www.amazon.de/Nagaoka-MP-200-Tonabnehmer/dp/B0062YX3D4 . Thakker.eu has a similar price as dacapoaudio.com.
 
stratokaster said:
Well, there are at least half a dozen high quality MC cartridges with boron cantilevers and line contact styli that are less expensive than Nagaoka MP-300, and when it comes to MP-500, I can add just 1 euro to its list price and get a ZYX Bloom 3 which doesn’t have a boron cantilever but is an excellent cartridge in its own right. With all respect to Nagaoka, this is kinda ridiculous.
Click to expand...

I think the idea is to get as close as possible to MC sound quality without the need for an MC preamp, head amp, etc. And then still have a user replaceable stylus so you don't need to align it again. No question it is darn expensive for a moving magnet. Price is why I picked the 200 over the 300 or 500.

But I can also say that if it did not sound good, I'd feel cheated, and IMO it does hold up that end of the deal. And I have experience hearing some pretty nice MC cartridges. My biggest dilemma now is how to play less than perfect records. I think the MP-200 is kind of too expensive to let less than perfect vinyl pass, so I need to have a second setup.
 
would agree with wildcat, the 200 and 500 are both really nice musical carts. the other one thats in that similar sonic field is the AT VM540. Over the last 3 years have burned through a lot of cash trying out MM and LOMC phono carts and phono stages. there is a lot in the high end that is vastly over rated.

maxhifi you did not mention your phono stage, but that may be your next area to upgrade.

best
 
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