Nagaoka MP-500

[Steve]

to me the Nagaoka is better. With regards to cantilevers the very best carts all use Boron, sapphire or even diamond. This increases compliance and the resonance caused with these cantilevers is outside the range what one can hear, hence the choice.

David,
Thanks for your insight.  The guys here at the Needle Doctor seem to think the Nagaoka sounds similar to the Audio Technica (150 MLX, I think).  I'm guessing this is highly dependent on the sum of the play back componentry.  Any thoughts on their assessment?

Cantilevers:  I've only had boron in recent history (Shelter and Zyx).  Do you think the sound is more affected by the cantilever, or is it more about the stylus shape?  Or is their synergy impossible to untangle?

My quest is to find a good match for an old Graham 2.2, which is going onto the 88 I'm working on. I want to go straight into the phono stage of my Shindo.

[krenzler]

David: How do you think the MP-500 compares to the Denon 103 family of cartridges?

I understand we're talking very different animals here (MM vs. MC - cantilever materials - stylus type) but I'm still interested in how you would differentiate them (and rank them).

I like the 103 sound (have the Uwe ebony body) and am considering either moving up the Denon ladder ("R" or "SA") or trying out a good MM like the MP-500 or maybe Garrott P77i.

Would you describe the Nagaoka as being neutral or perhaps slightly mellow/warm (compared to MC's)?

What I like about the 103 is its tone, midrange, "musicality", weight. 

[daiwok]

My personal comment is to get the upgraded cantilever and stylus for the 103, it will not affect the musicality, but you get much more refinement in the sound. The SA-1 is just a body upgrade.

The MP-500 is a superb MM cart, but the Denon with mod body and stylus + cantilever from Expert Stylus made it better than my Transfiguration Temper W which RRP's at USD 3500 or more.

What I intend to do next is put a paratrace on the MP-500 which will cost me GBP65, the cantilever is already boron, so no need for upgrade of that.

[krenzler]

How sensitive to VTA changes would you say the Paratrace tip is? I don't have the option to make minuscule changes easily (more like 2mm at a time).

The conical doesn't seem that sensitive at all. Had a go at an Ortofon Replicant 100 tip - it was tricky.

[daiwok]

How sensitive to VTA changes would you say the Paratrace tip is? I don't have the option to make minuscule changes easily (more like 2mm at a time).

The conical doesn't seem that sensitive at all. Had a go at an Ortofon Replicant 100 tip - it was tricky.

That depends on how long your arm is  in all honesty, you will hear the sweet spot with ease, unless you like to tweak it like our friend Pete 

http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=2137.0

The Paratrace is wonderful profile, up there with the very best on the market, you won't regret it. 

[krenzler]

Yaw = Offset yes?

I have a Rega RB700 tonearm so no azimuth adjustment and VTA is pretty crude with spacers.

I must admit - I can see the advantage of using the conical (far less critical of alignment and not likely to cause serious groove damage).

"I would be surprised if the stylus is not mounted completely square with the cantilever if it has come from Expert Stylus"

That would surprise me too.

Spending oodles of time making miniscule adjustments over and over is not for me (anymore). I just want to enjoy my LP's first and foremost. Obsessing kills that.

[pfowler]

Since I heard my name mentioned all the way over here in Austin, I think I will add two things...

Nothing in this world is perfect, even an Expert Stylus retip. If anyone believes otherwise I have some swamp land to sell - cheap!

Better to obsess over interconnects, equipment footers, power cords and plinth materials than cartridge alignment. At least with a proper alignment you get what you pay for...     

Pete

[jaspert]

Got my Tomhawk wand ( silver screened wire withEichmann Bullet- Thanks Vic!!) recently and just installed the Nagaoka MP-50 on it over the weekend.

Damn!!   Previously smooth and slightly laid back sounding MM  cartridge ( on my Micro Seiki MA-505 mk3 and SAEC WE407/TM arms)  has turned into a totally different beast. Dynamic, lively, direct as if a veil is lifted and significantly more open and bigger sound field too.  Fantastic!

David,
You're right after all.   I was wondering what you were smoking last year when you claimed all this pyrotechnic with the Nagaoka MP-500.  

[daiwok]

Damn ...... I have been playing with Jeremy's crown jewels so much I have shelved the Tomhawk !! ok something to do for next weekend I guess.

Yeah I was smoking something serious !!



and the cart sounds better and better !!

Yeah quiet insane when I first played the Nagoaka on a normal pivot arm, totally transformed on the short arm Terminator !  

[jaspert]

So that's the trick. Should be cheaper  than some hifi upgrade.

[tomatamot]

Yeah I was smoking something serious !!

Let me guess...............toffee-tabacco

[tomatamot]

Yesterday I`ve wired the MP-50 mono and putt on a  NMP1.0 stylus



And...... a strong Big sound & Big fun.

Now I`m curious to the cheap 5 mV output Nagaoka`s.

I`ve start listen to:



and:






Richard I`m still waiting on my ( also recently buy ) Stanton 500 carts. So thats why no response.

[daiwok]

I also find that the bigger styli give a much bigger fuller sound, tone is also very nice. Yes those high styli can give more refinement and dig out better microdynamics, but sometimes you just want tone 

[glady86]

I also find that the bigger styli give a much bigger fuller sound, tone is also very nice. Yes those high styli can give more refinement and dig out better microdynamics, but sometimes you just want tone 

 I liked my old Empire 108,it has a big conical type tip.It also had a big full sound but lack clarity and refinement of more modern type designs,but was fun to listen to.

[tomatamot]

I liked my old Empire 108,it has a big conical type tip.

It also had a big full sound but lack clarity and refinement of more modern type designs,but was fun to listen to.

Glady, is a 0.7mil radius so big?