Nagaoka MP 110 Hi-Fi turntable cartridge systems

Product Information

But your brain keeps playing tricks on you, and what made you happy on Monday may sound "boomy" on Tuesday, and nice again on Wednesday. If I was forced to use a conical or elliptical (particular crappy bonded ones) for all of my records, I would have chucked my turntable out the window 6 months after trying to get back into vinyl 7-8 years ago and gone back to CD + digital only. It's important to note that the electrical values of the current MP110 models may be different than the old MP11 (no idea if they are or not). I did exchange the ML because I thought I was at about 500hrs with the ML and I wanted something to compare. A cheap record cleaner (Studebaker in my case) is one of the best investments I've made to raise my vinyl enjoyment.

Just noticed----that HiFi World review used the older (tan) MP-11, rather than the newer MP-110 (yellow). That Hi-Fi World article definitely was interesting, especially the way it put the 2 brands on completely opposite ends of the spectrum.The AT VM-95E is also fine, but can't track the innere grooves as good as the ML and furthermore the ML sounds more detailed. So, if advanced stylus would pick up more flaws I'd never try that Goldring with a better stylus (1012-1042) but to throw it out the window.

I remember your post of OM10 as well, which is essentially the reason why I was able to widdle down my options. One aspect of the MP-110 excels, however, regardless of the form of the AT: reduction in surface noise. Conicals and cheap ellipticals are fine for old jazz records, tamely cut music from the 50s and 60s, even audiophile reissues of such. Bar none, Grado does have my loyalty for sure, in fact they started me on my quest for quality sound. And the notion that this can't be true as a result of the AT having a microline stylus is fundamental misunderstanding of the complexities involved in sonic reproduction from groove walls.

I have both, and agree the 95ML is better, however, I also have the MP200 and in that case I prefer the 200s sound signature, but since it still uses a poor stylus I still rock the 95ML at the very least until I can retip a Micro stylus onto my MP200. By the way, this would be going on a Harman Kardon T-45 C turntable, if that makes any difference as far as compliance/compatibility. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. And if you really want a Nagaoka, I'd suggest to consider the Nagaoka/Tonar (JT-)555, which LPGear and Turntableneedles still offer for ca. I tried a Goldring 1006 (Rega Baerwald alignment) in my Rega instead of Exact a while ago just to see/hear the difference between different stylus profiles.

In the end I got rid of the 1042, mainly because the 95ML was more neutral, tracked better, and traced tough inner grooves better. Vinyl Rega Planar 2, Incognito rewire, Deepgroove subplatter, ceramic bearing, Michell Technoweight, Rega 24V motor, TTPSU, FunkFirm Achroplat platter, Michael Lim top and bottom braces, 2 Rega feet and one RDC cones. I read an article on how to translate the Nagoaka compliancy specs, but I'll have to dig up that article. TT is a Denon DP23-F that I got a few months ago "almost new" for €40 in replacement of my AT-LP5 that I never really liked. For AT, well, I like the VM95SH just a bit more than the ML, but neither are a pimple on a Nag to my ears.I've had varied results with the MP-110 in different turntable/pre-amp combinations, ranging from bright and breezy to thick and heavy. If it were my system I would use my CBS STR100 to take sweep measurements at the phono preamp output, and graph the different loading options.