MM Cartridge for music on the heavier side

Great advise Chakster. Thank you.

Thanks Uberwaltz. Never heard of Nagaoka.  Will o some research  on it. 

Never heard of Nagaoka.

It is a lowish compliance cartridge with bonded elliptical tip, nothing special, you can look at the specs (the compliance is so low ). You will never get a proper frequency response and a nice low and high extensions with such stylus and cartridge. This is an entry level modern MM and the price is very high for such mediocre modern cartridge as Nagaoka MP-150 (i paid $60 for it and this is what it worth in my opinion).
Also the life span of the elliptical tip is much shorter compared to the most advanced profiles like Stanton/Pickering’s Stereohedron or Shibata, LineContact etc. In my opinion paying up to $400 for this Nagaoka is a nonsense when Stanton and Pickering available online even for lower price (normally $350) ! Just make sure the stylus is genuine, this is Pickering D3000 for XSV3000.

Here is more about Stereohedron stylus from the manual for my Stanton.

Simply search online for users feedbacks about Stanton and Pickering models, people who really understand what is a good cartridge sounds like are fans of Stanton/Pickering.

I am pretty much adore them, the only difference is that i prefer higher models like signature Stanton SC-100 WOS (specs here), Pickering XSV4500 and 7500. Those cartridges are truly amazing.

Also if you will loot at the Audio-Technica AT-ML150 OCC you will find not only superior cantilever (Gold-Plated Beryllium), but also absolutely amazing MicroLine stylus tip (it can be used for 1200 hrs ! ) and PC OCC coil wiring and connection pins.

In this situation, taking in count the prices, i think the Nagaoka MP-150 is definitely an outsider.

This is the reason why professionals prefer Stanton, Audio-Technica, Technics in this artricle. They are definitely have an ear to handle disc mastering process. 

Chakster
Your opinions only remember!
Many very satisfied users of Nagaoka carts in these forums.
Being a modern cart means stylus are readily available to purchase unlike a lot of the exotic vintage mm you talk about.
Fine if you get a near nos example but not so great when you need to replace the stylus.
We both know this.
Not saying for one minute not great carts though.
You need move out of the vintage era sometimes and see what else there is out here.

And if you GENUINELY paid $60 for it then it was already worn out!
Cheers!

While I share Chaks love of vintage mm I know not everyone wants to take the chance on a 40 year old cart.
Even if nos it has still aged.
40 year old suspension.
40 year old wiring.
40 year old Bonding.
These are physical facts.
Maybe some like myself have already been bitten by vintage mm where the suspension collapsed after a few plays.
This can happen.

Of course there are many modern alternative to my suggestion of Nagaoka but to just disgsrd most modern mm as a whole is missing a very valid concern for many buyers.