TRAVELING TO JAPAN! Recommendations for shops for cartridges?

@njcardave 

Look for DS Audio optical cartridges. I have the entry level DS E1. FANTASTIC.

+1.  It's in a totally different price class than Nagaoka, and needs a proportionately top shelf system to really be heard, but I've heard the DS W3 on a great rig, and it's performance is something special.

Herman, why are you so agitated? Maybe I’m wrong. So what? The statement is totally inconsequential. No need for conniptions. It would be hard to prove or disprove because many brands outsource their cartridges. If you want so badly to be right in saying I’m wrong, I give. You’re right.

 i do have a phono stage that can handle lower compliance 

Compliance of the cartridge is related to how it interacts with your tonearm, not the phono stage. If you have a mismatch between cartridge compliance and the effective mass of the arm you can end up with a resonant frequency that is either too high or too low. This link covers it very well. 

https://www.gcaudio.com/tips-tricks/tonearm-cartridge-compatability/

From what I can find your arm has an effective mass of 10.2 grams 

Have fun in Japan. Fascinating country to visit.

I did a little internet searching on the question of where most cartridges are manufactured.  Ortofon is listed as the largest producer of cartridges, and so far as I can find out, all their cartridges are made in Denmark. I had previously assumed that at least some of their top of the line cartridges are made in Japan, based on the fact that you can buy them in Japan for bargain prices.  Since also Rega are listed as a top 3 or top 5 maker of cartridges, and since they are made in the UK, I have to say that my generalization was probably incorrect.  Suffice to say you can buy Ortofon, and even Grado cartridges, in Tokyo at good prices.  Also, all sources say that Ogura and Namiki are the nearly sole sources of styli and possibly cantilevers.  Therefore, if you look at it that way, at least parts of most cartridges come from Japan.  Then there is Hana, Koetsu, Lyra and other cartridges made for various brands by Scantech, Audio Technica, Etsuro, MSL, Nagaoka, Miyajima, and many others made in Japan. 

Hi all!

Reporting back. 

I returned from Japan with a Nagaoka Mp-500, a replacement stylus, a suitcase of records and some chef knives :) 

The cartridge and stylus ended up being $700 USD, so quite a good buy over there versus in the US.

I've been incredibly happy with it so far and would like to thank everyone for their recommendations!