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View Full Version : Nagaoka MP500 - Surely some mistake......?


bob4333
28-07-2015, 08:07
Whilst pondering the MP500 I found this on the manufacturers web site.

"Stylus replacement: Nagaoka JN-P500
The stylus replacement interval varies depending on the using conditions. But for general use at home, the reference time is between 150-200 hours in which the stylus begin to wear and the tone quality deteriorates."

Can't be right can it? If so I've suddenly lost all interest.
Wakefield Turntables
28-07-2015, 08:23
Crap! It's a DIAMOND, do you really think think something this hard would wear out so quickly. The life expectancy of a stylus is measured in 1000's of hours, maybe even 10,000's of hours. It's just marketing crap to get you to buy more.
hifi_dave
28-07-2015, 08:32
Stylus life has cropped up on many occasions and not just for Nagaoka. Life expectancy depends on many factors such as the quality of the diamond and cleanliness of the records, tracking weight etc but 150 - 200 hours is ridiculously low. If that is correct, I would investigate other manufacturers, because a Nagaoka stylus ain't cheap.
struth
28-07-2015, 08:54
sounds like they missed out a 0. a lot od carts need a hundred hrs to break in
daytona600
28-07-2015, 09:07
must be a miprint & they missed a Zero
MP500 uses a SuperFine polished line contact diamond stylus tip & mine lasted for years
they last even longer if you use a Rcm
Macca
28-07-2015, 12:06
We discussed this a couple of years ago. The Nag site is translated from Japanese and there are quite a few typos on it - that is one.

I've used Nagaoka carts off and on for over 20 years and I'm using an MP50 at the moment, they don't wear out any quicker than anything else does and I would highly recommend them. I don't think there are any better MM cartridges.
bob4333
28-07-2015, 12:40
We discussed this a couple of years ago. The Nag site is translated from Japanese and there are quite a few typos on it - that is one.

I've used Nagaoka carts off and on for over 20 years and I'm using an MP50 at the moment, they don't wear out any quicker than anything else does and I would highly recommend them. I don't think there are any better MM cartridges.

Thanks Martin, that seems a bit more like it.

How detailed is your MP50's treble? My only Nag experience is an MP11 Boron (different animal, I know) and it's a bit lacking compared to some of the MC carts I now have. Bass delivery is superb though.
Macca
28-07-2015, 12:48
I have an MP11 too which is a superb budget effort but the 50/500 is in a totally different league. Not as balls-out as the MP 11 but much more refined and detailed and with virtually no inner groove distortion.

Your vinyl set up is considerably more advanced than mine so I would expect a 300 or 500 to be outstanding performers on your TT.
bob4333
28-07-2015, 18:08
........ the 50/500 is in a totally different league. Not as balls-out as the MP 11 but much more refined and detailed and with virtually no inner groove distortion.

I've had one of these on my "buyonesomeday" list for quite a while. Sometimes you have to stop reading and start buying so have just pushed the button. Expected ETA is the weekend / Monday if DHL step up to the mark.

Thanks for the useful insight.
Macca
28-07-2015, 22:36
I'll be interested in what you think if it once you've had some time with it.
bob4333
29-07-2015, 07:37
I'll be interested in what you think if it once you've had some time with it.

Will do Martin.

If anyone else is interested it's worth by-passing ebay and looking at Thakker's German site https://www.thakker.eu/en/cartridges/ £424 plus a few Euros for DHL.

Best price I could find and not having had much luck with expensive carts in the past I reckon the price point is around where I'd like to be when buying on reviews and specs only. Always a dangerous game.
Elephantears
29-07-2015, 08:09
For a good price on a Nagaoka MP500 you might try contacting mellstock on the Wam. It's a lovely cart.
bob4333
29-07-2015, 08:44
For a good price on a Nagaoka MP500 you might try contacting mellstock on the Wam. It's a lovely cart.

Even Audiokazu in Japan (who has a strong reputation) was £411 plus a few uncertainties like Import Duty, VAT, Postage etc.

I know UK dealers have to make a profit (nothing wrong with that) but £620 to £680 which is the generally quoted price seems a bit rich. :eek:

Controversial subject I guess.