Nagaoka MP-150 vs MP-200

@mr_m - unfortunately my comments are based on my experience with a single Nagoka cartridge from 25 years ago, but it left a lasting impression and I've avoided them ever since.

But given the number of positive comments about the Nagoka line-up on this forum and the fact that I had a less than stellar experience with just one Nagoka cartridge I might conclude that my experience could have been due to

• that particular cartridge had some sort of problem
• OR, it was a bad match to the arm it was mounted on
• OR, it was a bad match to the turntable
• OR it was a bad match to the tonearm wire/cable

So I was wondering, could you please post the YouTube video you mentioned in your post
- I would be interested to view it

Many Thanks - Steve
 

I run a 150 with the 200 stylus and like it a lot. I don’t have experience with many carts though so I can’t say much other than I prefer Nags over the Orto Red and Blue I had (and I liked the Blue). Since I’ll be MM/MI only for a while, I keep a list of “carts Chakster likes” and then research the hell out of those..

There is a gentleman, Chinese I think who runs a hifi shop. His YouTube name is hifivinylnews. He does a lot of cartridge comparisons and likes Nagaoka.

+1 for the MP-200. go for it, better cart. I have both. The other cart to consider is the AT VM540. tonal balance very close to the MP-200, but the 540 is a better tracker. 

Under consideration are the MP-200 stylus or upgraded NOS preamp tubes. :)

Actually preamp tubes can make a huge difference, I switched from modern JJ to some of the best military Telefunken ecc801s and then to cheaper but very nice Sylvania 12at7WA (Gold) and then to Matsushita 12at7WA (find in my system). NOS tubes are great when you know a particular model or brand @xs1137

And you must keep your stylus fresh, so it’s always important. However, some of those new Nagaoka styli cost like a whole new cartridge and if you owned a Signet you have to search audiogon for Signet TK-10ML and related top of the line Signet models, they are superior to any modern AT and so much better than any Nagaoka. You have to ask @nandric about his NOS Signet samples.