Nagaoka MP series phono cartridges, styli & accessories
All about the wonderful little Nagaoka moving magnet phono cartridges. We still love records and anything that helps them sound better has got to be a good thing. There are very few cartridges that we haven’t listened to or set up, yet the Nagaoka models stand out as not just great value, but something special that offers a real generosity of sound and performance in all the aspects we see as being intrinsically analogue. Read all about the wonderful little Nagaoka moving magnet phono cartridges.
Nagaoka have wonderful tagline – ‘the authentic vinyl sound’ which immediately tells you where they are coming from – All Nagaoka MP (Moving Permalloy) cartridges have a characteristic rich and full sound with great bass and dynamics. They present a tangible soundstage and are quite remarkable in their ability to suppress surface noise. The healthy output is combined with a high degree of compatibility when it comes to matching with a broad range of turntables, amps and phono stages. Like most MM cartridges, (and unlike Moving Coils) Nagaoka feature under replaceable styli but a key point Nagaoka’s favour is the comparatively low cost of the replacements – they are typically about half the price of the complete new cartridge. Almost all other brands are around 70-80% for replacements. Another neat feature is that the styli are interchangeable between the models – while there are internal differences between the bodies, this does mean you can improve the performance of any existing Nagaoka simply by going up a step or two at stylus replacement time. And if you’re within range and can bring your turntable to us we’re more than happy to do an expert fit and set up with any new Nagaoka purchased from us. We find the Nagaoka’s very easy to install – the strong, squared off body makes for accurate alignment. They come with two sets of mounting screws to cater for different head shell thicknesses. Nagaoka cartridges are very tolerant of different tonearms and run over a good range of tracking weights allowing you to optimise both sound quality and tracking. The easily fitted stylus guard is perfect for protecting your stylus from inquisitive little fingers and playful paws.
Nakaoka MP110 $350 - stylus $140
The MP-110 (picture above), is easily our most popular cartridge. It’s based on the legendary MP-11 which I fitted to countless turntables. Wonderfully gusty and dynamic, it makes LPs come alive in a way that no other cartridge at this level can do – it’s much more solid than the ubiquitous Ortofon 2MRed or OM10 and far richer and better with lower surface noise than the more costly 2MBlue.
The MP-110 is also capable of real subtlety and will respond well to careful setup – because it is physically strong and has a rectangular body shape it is very easy to align and tighten. The cantilever is quite robust so you can safely and easily experiment with tracking weight settings to find the sound that best suits you. I tend to run them at between 1.8 and 2.0 grams which gives really good tracking and adds a nice bit of solidity to the sound. This is a brilliant all round cartridge – it has great punch and healthy output for rock. Yet the low surface noise and rich tone make female vocals and classical LPs far better than the alternatives. The MP110 is the cartridge to upgrade any of the Project turntables, and is also perfect for older Regas, Thorens and the like. Likewise with the better Technics models. The complete MP110 costs less than many stylus replacements, yet is a far better option.
‘The sound everybody loves… The average enthusiasts of the analog turntable put the warmth of the sound like an attribute in the first place as a reason they like to play music from the records. The sound of MP-110 is on that track. This cartridge seems to have been designed to appeal to passionate vinyl lovers. The sound is round, warm and gentle, and it can be listened to for hours without fatigue.’ ‘I am floored with the sound of the Nagaoka MP110 (and this if before break in). The tightness of the bass with punch but not fuzzy or bloated, the ability to make out the complete drum kit, and the separation of the instruments and the stunning vocal presentation is far better than anything else that I have. I can not recommend this product highly enough. What an outstanding value.’
Nakaoka MP100 $300 - stylus replacement $110
The MP100 is a cheap and cheerful version of the ‘110 that is designed with older and more basic turntables in mind – perfect for when you just can’t get a replacement stylus as is the case more often than not – it will track with any tonearm and the stylus profile is very forgiving, tending to smooth out any nasties. Bass is little less than the MP-110 but this is helpful in avoiding feedback which is often a problem in more lightly constructed turntable. Being forgiving in nature also means you can easily set it up yourself and know that even if not technically perfect, the end result you’ll hear won’t be too far from what I might be able to achieve.
‘Unbelievable quality for the money with this cartridge. I am absolutely thrilled with the way it has livened up my old vintage system. The bass is tight, the highs are undistorted. I love it. It’s like hearing my library all over again for the first time.’
Nakaoka MP150 $800 - stylus replacement $350
Once you get over the kermit green of the MP-150 you’ll discover what Nagaoka is really about. This a seriously good cartridge by any standards. You get a lot of sophistication over the MP110 – more detail yet a far smoother delivery, sweetness and a richer more balanced bass that has better definition and extension. The surface noise dissolves into the background leaving nuance that simply will not have been apparent before. Everything is in its place and the overall presentation is more relaxed. This is a cartridge you can listen to for side after side and never get fatigued. The MP-150 is a significant upgrade for almost any turntable. Good setup is essential in this case to get the most out of it and we’d strongly suggest rechecking this – especially tracking weight after the initial 100 hours run in time as the MP150 does get much better over this period.
Although an MM (or MP for moving Permalloy to be completely correct), the ‘150 is a direct competitor to any entry level MC and a perfect replacement for a great many older ones – you’ll gain much better output, less background noise and superior tracking. We’ve seen some pretty stiff price increases on many MC replacements and the MP150 is great way to solve sticker shock while often coming out ahead – let’s face it – persisting with a worn out MC is just damaging your records and making analogue boring. You can do so much better.
‘I lived with the Nagaoka MP-110 for about 9 months, enough playing time for the stylus to wear out. I chose to upgrade to the MP-150 because I really like their “house sound” but wanted better bass and stereo separation. Not only did it deliver these in spades, it also delivered much sharper transients and Leica-like focus, all without harshness or sibilance. It also delivered better image focus, making the surrounding acoustics come to light and flanging effects really stand out. As it breaks in it becomes ever more dynamic and articulate. It presents even worn or poorly mastered records in their best light, but well-made and preserved records sound like master tapes.’
If this is piquing your interest and you would like to investigate further up the range pop over to our new site Nagoaka page to find out about the MP250, 300 and 500. See you there.
Well Tempered Labs TLC $810 – stylus replacement $480. Why is this cartridge included with Nagaoka? It’s actually derived from the MP-150 and has been designed with input from Nagaoka, Well Tempered and Dynavector. While sharing many of the classic Nagaoka attributes it has it’s own distinct character – a little more articulate and pacy and you could easily assume that it’s the ideal choice for the Well Tempered turntables – I like it a lot and have written volumes about it here.
Or you can go even further and explore the world of moving coils with the Dynavector range for the ultimate in analogue performance.
Our Phono stage options.
If you upgrading your turntable with any of these cartridge, why not also consider a new phono stage at the same time?
The Value of a Phono Stage
The importance and performance gains to be had by selecting a better phono stage or amplifier are easy to underestimate. Until you hear them. Having the personal experience of stepping through a broad range of both cartridges and phono stages it has become obvious that the effect of the latter is at least as much as that of a cartridge. And that the benefit of improving both is cumulative– i.e. you’ll get better value and sound from your turntable system by considering both. See the a range of your best options here.
Nagaoka Antistatic record sleeves
NZ$ 75 for a pack of 50
These are a simple way of caring for your beloved vinyl. You’ve made an investment in your record collection which can with a bit of care last forever. Paper sleeves shed dust and poly ethylene sleeves stick to the record so as you pull it out dust may scratch the vinyl. Nagaoka antistatic sleeves solve these issues and are slippery enough to allow you to remove your record with total safety. As soon as you try these you’ll notice the difference in ease of use and in the cleanliness of your vinyl.
Totally Wired are analogue specialists. Email us for advice on getting the best sound from your turntable system.
Cables
Improving your cables is also worthwhile. The output from phono cartridges (especially MC) is much lower than other audio components so it's critical that any cable used is both of high quality so you avoid loss. But even more important is that it is well shielded to eliminate hum and noise. The new cables and plugs from Keith Louis Eichmann Innovations are by far the best we’ve heard in our many years of turntable listening.
For those with attached cables fitting the KLEI Harmony Bullet plugs will give a vast improvement. We also recommend the ultra quiet Mogami Negelx cables which can be made to any length by order. These are a little less in cost than the KLEIs at a ballpark of around $200 a set.
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