Nagaoka MP-150 vs MP-200

+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. 

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.

You trust some Chinese communist who runs a hi-fi shop? Who cares what he likes, he’s not even an audiogon member ... @mr_m

Seriously, China is notorious for counterfeit products and grey market dealers.

@mr_m - thanks for the info on that gentleman

He does a lot of cartridge comparisons and likes Nagaoka.

He certainly does - he prefers them over all the other cartridges he reviewed in the three videos I watched.

There was a whiff of "promotional bias" :-)

I’m not sure I would trust his evaluations alone,

• so I went looking for other comparisons and found a couple that contradicted his findings,
• but they were very close
• however, definitely not quite as "Night and Day" as his videos appear to suggest.

Cartridges are tough to assess, because you have to buy one to try it and their performance is very dependent on the system components, cables, the turntable and especially cartridge setup and alignment, which with the more modern stylus profiles is extremely important.

So I would still revert back to my own "Nagoka experience" and favour AT and Signet carts.

Regards - Steve

@williewonka 

Steve, duly noted, your money, your ears, your choice. I have no problem with that.

@chakster 

Well comrade, while we are airing our "dirty laundry" I'm at least willing to give that gentleman the benefit of the doubt. I have done my own comparisons and have found the Nagaoka's to be of good quality if not Sota. You dismiss them as just do much junk.

I have used your so called recommendations such as Stanton 881S, and while they were good in their day I feel the Nagaoka's are better and what I remember of stylus wear, the Stanton's were certainly no better.

While you're at it Chakster, being a j__k isn't a good look for you. You are better than that. IMO.