Nagaoka Thoughts?

[Roivas]

I've heard a lot of good things about the Nagaoka MP-110 cart. When I went to look for it, I see that the company makes some higher end cartridges. I was wondering if the Nagaoka MP-150 or the Nagaoka MP-200 are worth the increased price. The 150 is almost twice as much as the 110, and the 200 is half as much again as that. If there's only a minimal improvement, it doesn't seem worth it, especially if the 110 is as good as folks seem to think it is. However, maybe it's a case of being totally worth it.

 

[Art K.]

I have the MP-110 and think it leaves a lot to be desired. It has a nice warm balance but is muddy and lacks detail. In speaking with some Nagaoka experts week before last I understand that the higher models maintain the warm character along with great tonal richness and much more resolution. It would have to because the MP-110 is about as vague as I've heard. I can hear the promise of the Nagaoka name in the MP-110 but am a good distance from experiencing it.

 

[Hail Vinyl!]

Well, I don't have enough comparison points, but I'm very happy with my MP-110. You can see/hear it in action in my YouTube channel (link in my signature).

 

[charles 1973]

As with all stereo systems, How well each component interacts with each other and the room play a critical role. This is why IMO 2 people can listen to the same Cartridge, or any other component and have totally opposite opions.

I read a review on your Audioengine P4 speakers that said "Treble sounds are absolutely as bright and shiny as is acceptable, so some care should be taken to ensure partnering electronics don't share that trait". If that is the case a Nagoaka Cartridge might be a very good match with those speakers, since it's not as Bright as many cartridges.

I have the Nagoake MP11 Cartridge (Replaced by the MP110) and don't find any Muddiness or lack of detal once it got fully broken it (aprox 30 hrs). I can understand where some might get that impression though. My MP11 has a Neutral or slightly Dark Sound to it, which can be interpited as a lack of detail. Carefull listening through a Transparent Amp and Speakers however makes instruments sound way more real than a $100 cartridge has any right to. Best of all is is does this with my used, worn $3.00 LP's where most other cartridges reveal more noise. When played through my HT system, which has more Bass than it should, the Full, Clean Bass I get through my main stereo now becomes somewhat muddy or blotted.

If you have to ask youself if the better SQ of the MP150 or MP200 is worth the Price it may not be. Thats a personal choice, there's no wrong or right of it (unless your better half finds out about IT...we won't tell!). If you've been bleesed with the funds to spend it on one of these better cartridges, I think it's as good a place as any to spend it. However, I think you would be pleased with the MP110 too.

 

[Psimonics]

I loved the sound of my Nagaoka MP-110 when I first listened with it and it seems to have got even better. There's certainly no muddiness with my system. Before the MP-110 I had an Ortofon OM5E which gave me very harsh tinny trebles and the Nag as given me a more balanced sound with more bass and smoother middle.

I'm also interested to hear if anyone else has more opinions on the more expensive Nagaokas.

 

[GPJeff]

I bought the MP-150 and used it on my sl-1200mk2 with the tonearm dampener. The vocal imaging is awesome, like the vocalist is in the room with you. I didn't get too much in the low end or high end (8khz+).

 

[Art K.]

Everything is relative, muddiness included. I've listened to and owned a wide variety of cartridges from Clearaudio to Ortofon and a bunch of others in between. The MP-110 is certainly one of the lowest resolution of any I've owned that had any kind of reputation beyond pure entry level. Yes it's a lot better than the Ortofon OM5e but that's a pretty dreadful cartridge. Again, I like the tonality of the Nag and believe that at that next level you may get something special. At $100 the MP-110 is worth the money but it ain't no giant killer. It's the Nagaoka flavor of $100 cartridge. To answer the OP's question, again, call Pat (not Patrick, though he may know his **** as well) at Needle Doctor. He knows his analog goods and really has a feel for these cartridges. Tell him what you are looking for from a cartridge and see what he has to say. BTW, I still have my Nag MP-110.

 

[Art K.]

One thing to add. I'm definitely not saying that owning a few cartridges (none of them hi end, so to speak) qualifies me as an expert...not in the least. Just saying that I do have a decent frame of reference...nothing more. I'm sure others who feel differently do as well.

 

[Stanton681EEES]

My friend who's opinion i trust just recently bought a Nagaoka MP200 he has owned a lot of cartridges, just to name a few
Ortofon 2 M Black Ortofon Vivo Blue, AT OC0MKII Goldring 1042 anyway that's just a few and he really loves it says so far and this is about 3 months of ownership that it's a keeper says it does just about everything rite plenty of detail, bass, nice mids, etc..................

 

[allsmith]

I just got a mp-110 and love it! Only can really compare it to a worn out stylus on a stanton 681eee,and im by far not an experienced turntable guy, but im VERY happy with it for the money. And its a good match for my heavier tonearm.But i have always belived in " You get what you pay for" !!!!! Go for the top units if you got pristine vinyl.Go for the 110 if your viny collection is so so.

 

[markusp]

Just going through the chore of breaking in a new Nagaoka MP-30 (same as the MP-300) and there is zero muddiness and the highs and details are crystal clear. The nature of the sound has changed quite a bit over the first 15 hours as it was originally lush, then detailed, and now it is a bit thin sounding but I am sure that will change again with more break-in. Even at this stage I prefer this cartridge to the Goldring GL 2400 that I also own and is a $600 MM. Table is a Well Tempered Simplex which is a little on the lean side to begin with to my ears.

 

[rewfew]

Using a MP 200 for several months now. I bought it used on ebay and would buy it new for retail based on my listening impressions. From bottom to top a very fine cartridge. No jive.

 

[Roivas]

So, I pulled the trigger on the MP-110 and it sounds great. Really happy with the cart after only about 10 or so hours. Considering most audio-equipment needs to time to settle in, I am mildly optimistic that it'll sound even better after another 20-30 hours of wonder music (my speakers, for example, needed about 40-50 hours of burn-in before they settled into the place they are now).

Thanks to everyone who added their two cents! And to those considering this cart, it's a keeper so far.

 

[BrocLuno]

I have a 195e that I like quite a bit. I also have a Tonar t2000 which is an unkown Nagaoka marketed though a Dutch company in Europe. It's my favorite all around daily driver - period.

And I still have 20 cartridges to choose from including some heavy hitters. The highest-end Nagaoka I own is the JT-555 with a carbon fiber cantilever. It's a little too revealing for many records :scratch2:

My point is that I don't see any reason to doubt that moving up the food chain in this line would not be worthwhile

EDIT: This was when running everything through the completely rebuilt phono section in the Pioneer SA-8800 (the rebuild was done by Fred Longworth with premium resistors, etc - to Pioneer specs). That phono section and Nagaoka's got along great - real synergy

But, in order to test a home remodel layout, I lashed up an ART Phono Plus to a remote TT location to drive the line level signal. Ooopps, the ART does not like Nagaoka's at all. Not one of them. It loves AT's and is fine with Shure's, etc. But no dice on Nag's

Bottom line - it'll be phono section dependent :scratch2:

 

[Catcher10]

Congrats on the MP-110 and welcome to the Nagaoka world! I never owned a Nag cart before a yr ago when I bought the MP-110.....All based on what I read. I had ZERO muddiness, yes it gives you a lot of low end but its all well represented, its not sloppy or loose bass. Mids and highs are just that...good mids and highs. I tried a Ortofon 2M Red and really did not like it. That cart was lifeless and bright...So since both are $100 carts...hands down the MP-110 is head and shoulders above the 2MR.

I just received a MP-200......You do get a more refined sound, very detailed, crisp and clean sound. The ST is much wider than the MP110, and get this...is quieter than the MP110...yes it is!
So if you want a more refined sound the one thing that seems to guarantee with Nagaoka is the higher you go the sound does get "better".....Now all I read on the MP300 and MP500 is praise.....boy do I want one of those.

I now wonder if I will ever go back to AT carts.....

 

[Wirehead]

Catcher10 - it would be nice if you could post a needle drop of the Nagaoka MP-200 on youtube or such. Not much to find about that one I'm interested in how it sounds on challenging records (e.g. with sibilant vocals,.. ). The MP-110 is already pretty good taming that, wondering how the 200 handles that.

 

[Catcher10]

Catcher10 - it would be nice if you could post a needle drop of the Nagaoka MP-200 on youtube or such. Not much to find about that one I'm interested in how it sounds on challenging records (e.g. with sibilant vocals,.. ). The MP-110 is already pretty good taming that, wondering how the 200 handles that.

I've never done anything on YT.....and listening thru computer speakers does no justice to the actual sound. Although I totally understand your feelings....I am close to 30hrs breakin so I need a few more.

I have challenging recordings, like Yes CTTE, the last few minutes of Side 1. The MP200 does bring it back down, the hot organ/keys and Howe's hot guitar sound much better...Actually better than my CD copy. So IGD is non-existant, my MP110 was giving me some but that is when I realized it was time for a new cart or needle....Much much better now.

The boron cantilever is turning out to be a very good match for my arm, as the whole package is turning out to be.
$600 is a lot of money to me for a cart, but that MP500 is calling me...Maybe next year, I have read though on VE of folks buying the MP500 needle and using it on their MP200 and MP300....I may try that first.

 

[sebrof]

$600 is a lot of money to me for a cart, but that MP500 is calling me...Maybe next year, I have read though on VE of folks buying the MP500 needle and using it on their MP200 and MP300....I may try that first.

Well, I had a MP200 and wanted to upgrade. That MP500 sure did look nice, but alas became unavailable for some reason when I was ready to buy.

What did I do? I bought the MP500 stylus @ $280, that's what I did. As far as I can tell from reading other opinions, the MP200 body + MP500 stylus is about 80 - 90% of an MP500. I like it better than my MP200 for sure. And when I get a beat up record, I slide the 500 off and slide the 200 on (takes less time than to load a record) and viola, no worries.

 

[Mr. Lin]

One thing to add. I'm definitely not saying that owning a few cartridges (none of them hi end, so to speak) qualifies me as an expert...not in the least. Just saying that I do have a decent frame of reference...nothing more. I'm sure others who feel differently do as well.

But you have had some decent MC cartridges, haven't you Art? Perhaps that's where your perception of a cartridge like the MP-110 being muddy comes from. I'm sure it's a nice cartridge, but if you're used to higher resolution I guess it could be disappointing. I considered getting a 110 last year as a workhorse cartridge and now I'm glad I didn't.

Chad (poppachubby) loves his MP-200, and that is a cartridge I haven't ruled out getting in the future, though I still have doubts about whether my MC-loving brain would care for it in the end. I've always been impressed that the 200 has a boron cantilever at that price point.

Congrats to the OP, have fun!

 

[juno]

Well, I had a MP200 and wanted to upgrade. That MP500 sure did look nice, but alas became unavailable for some reason when I was ready to buy.

What did I do? I bought the MP500 stylus @ $280, that's what I did. As far as I can tell from reading other opinions, the MP200 body + MP500 stylus is about 80 - 90% of an MP500. I like it better than my MP200 for sure. And when I get a beat up record, I slide the 500 off and slide the 200 on (takes less time than to load a record) and viola, no worries.

Is the screw mounting on the 300 and 500 not required when fitting to a 200 body? or is it held in place by friction maybe?