Audio Technica VM540ML v. N97xe Jico SAS

opps, my bad...Still a couple hundred more than the Nag. If Garrott could have their stuff on amazon with prime shipping that would be a plus, as well.

Again, may consider it if I don't like the nag (I have a good feeling about it, though)

The Nagaoka MP-150 is incredible! I’m only a few records in but the music and emotion is back big time. It’s crazy how the music is just leaping off the vinyl. It’s punchy and dynamic and the mids are smooth and great bass as well. The detail is there but no harshness at all...this is the real deal...

Yup +1 Nag MP150.  Put mine back in yesterday and enjoying it. Compared to any other MM I have, this one is totaly satisfying top to bottom and tracks like a champ at 1.748 g.

What's crazy is that I believe the MP-150 actually has better detail than the 540ML. (Which is what I thought would be the Nag's weakness) I think the MP-150 exposes the 540 as having "fake detail" if that makes sense. Just doesn't sound believable even though it did SEEM like it had  great detail at the time. I think this proves that the cantilever and stylus shape should not be the determining factor that one cart is better than another, you just have to listen to it. I will be happy for many years to come I think. Now to focus on the preamp...

In fairness, the Nagaoka MP-500 is more of a direct competitor (than the MP-150) to the Audio-Technica VM540ML because both use line-contact type styli.