Under going chemo at the moment and so binge watched your vids. Reminds me of my uni and first work days for some reason with a touch of the Mel Smith and Griffs! Engerised me to get a proper turntable to follow on my post student days when I had a Heybrook TT as a Rega competitor. Was going to get a Rega as your vid recommended but got seduced by an amazing half price deal on a Project X1. Now will think on this cartridge as my next possible upgrade. Thanks for both the technical and riff entertainment.
Thanks Bob, and good luck with everything. Binge-watching us probably isn't good for your mental health, and/or may induce strange behaviour, with uncontrolled bouts of eBaying. As they used to say on Hill Street Blues, "let's be careful out there!"
Upon hearing that he was stage 4, my buddy maxed out his credit card and never made a single payment. Then he left me his sweet, sweet setup after he passed. Its bittersweet to listen to music on his old equipment, but the sound is so sublime and I cant help but smile at his final heist.
I'm going to buy this cartridge, found it on Amazon for £132.99. Reason I'm buying it is that it is a moving iron. I was thinking about a 'Soundsmith' cartridge, also moving iron but a lot more expensive. I've been using a MC Ortofon Quintet Blue but I've broken the cantilever, was debating a change from MC, mainly due to suffering from high-end tinnitus ( that's the trouble with getting old) that gets worse when I play music with an energetic treble. This sounds ideal to me, especially as David says it is (ever so) less extended in the higher frequencies. So, it's ordered. Hope it goes well with my OL Silver Mark IV arm ( bought after David's review!) Also thanks guys, for one of the most unique UA-cam channels, specifically for audiophiles, that I am enjoying so much, this one was a classic and very funny, I must say,
My first cartridge upgrade in 1980 was an MP11, terrific upgrade from what came with the JVC deck I had at the time. I can’t remember how much it cost, but it was under £30.
Thanks guys, always fun! I recently bought and used an MP-110 on a Sony HX500 turntable to digitise some particularly hard to get vynal LP's. The resultant DSD files showed significantly more fidelity and musicality than I expected for this level of equipment spend. Having just given away 1200 LPs from 20 to 30 years ago, I'm not in need of it anymore, but theres no question the MP-110 is an absolute gem at the price point!
This is EXACTLY the table I was getting mine for, good to know that your results were great with the DSD! The changes to the ADC were the thing I was the most worried about. Thank you.
The MP 200 is the sweet spot in the range ; just a fantastic sounding cartridge! If you can’t afford the amazing MP 500 ; this will be a very satisfying choice! The MP 500 on my well Tempered Turntable is sublime ; outperforms many MC ‘s I’ve tried.
MP110 is a fantastic cartridge, though like all audio kit it comes to what you match it with, sounds better with my system than cartridges 2 to 3 times the price of it that I've tried, currently using an AT440LMb, but will be getting another MP110 .
I purchased the MP-200 about a year ago & am super happy with it! I just discovered your channel this morning with your review of the Quad ESL 63s. I am considering a pair at a good price. I am now one of your U.S. viewers now & I enjoy the interaction you both have together!
I've heard Nagaoka cartridges over the years and always liked them. I'm 63 now and currently use a Dynavector xx2. So have kind of missed the opportunity to own a MP series cartridge. Which I sometimes regret.
I had, and loved an MP11 Boron in a Rega 3 years ago. Currently running a Denon DL110 in an Akito (I've added some lead tape to the arm). Sounding great tho.
Love the channel guys ,as a fellow analogue nut running a vintage Axis/DL160 setup would love to see a Riff on some budget to mid priced phono stages.Keep up the great work!
I use a Riff2 valve phono stage with a blue point no.2. A knockout mid priced combo & absolutely killer when bolted onto LP12/ Keel/ Cirkus/ Tranquility/Ekos2/ Skale/ Lingo3!
Would love to hear a riff on his products (has a couple phono stages), or an interview with Nick Gorgham from Longdog Audio. ;) thanks for your work @hi-firiff
Another great Riff... I'm so pleased to hear someone knowledgeable, explain the differences between pickup cartridge types, I just hope at some point, you may want to explain how someone would know to look, or could find out, if there own or a purchased Tonearm was a Low-Mass, Medium-Mass etc tonearm.
My missus met Antonio when he was filming a tv series in Liverpool. Was chatting to him for ages, said he was lovely, and got a squeeze off him. So I got her a tee shirt that said ‘I’ve Hugged Huggy Bear.”
Great riff chaps, pure nostalgia for me. MP10, MP11 boron and the Stilton bodied version all owned back in the day. Went very well in my Pink Triangle, and Roxanne Arm. Another good’en was the Goldring 1040 and 1042 Moving magnets. They all had sensible pricing too. Cheers chaps.
Enjoyed, over the last 20 years or so i've dabbled with MM cartidges Ortofon 520, the concord ortofon range Dj ones , & Goldring 1024 which severed me for years on a old Teak deck and transfered it to a Linn Deck, my current setup is a Roksen radius 5.1 with a Ortofon MM Black whch is amazing , but still have my Linn in storage , so maybe that cartridge would be ideal investment if I re-use my Linn. Its so tempting when you see a 2nd hand moderate price turntable to upgrade it to a better sound. ( show people not into vinyl how it can sound )
Very interesting Riff! I wasn't aware of the "MP" meaning, that is moving permalloy. I came close to try one so many times. There is nothing like a good cartridge swapping to calm the occasional upgrade neurotic disorder... Cheers guys!
I remember years ago having a Len Gregory, who has also passed away, cartridge (re worked Grado) which cost then a whopping £1200. On just about everything it out classed many MC's at 2-3 times the price!!! Thanks guys
And its far longer life. And its lower wear to the records. And its lower groove noise. And its lower distortion esp. on inner grooves. And its better sound (cleaner, clearer, more expansive, less sibilant etc). NO BRAINER SIR!
Another great HiFi Riff gents. It would be interesting to have a Riff on the Rega cartridges - the MM and MC varieties. I’ve been quite impressed with the Ania and would love to hear your options on their Rega brand cartridges and phono preamps.
Congrats on the new couch!! These riffs just keep getting better. So funny. I wish I were British so I could understand more of the references. We should all be so lucky to have the kind of friend you have in each other. I would be interested to hear from you guys or the Riff Raff your thoughts on the Denon DL 103 and whether or not it would be a significant improvement over the 110 and or how close it gets to the MP500 or Ortofon Black LVM. I’m itching to try MC but don’t want to break the bank. Currently have a Clearaudio Virtuoso.
Hi Dan - personally I'd go for the MP-500 if you like a sweeter more romantic sound, or the 250LVB if you like a more detailed, technical sound. I honestly don't think the Denons can quite match either, good as they are. The MP-500 and 250LVB really are state-of-the-art high output cartridges.
Another very funny Riff, thank you. On the strength of these I have bought some old Hi-fi World magazines from eBay to read more of David's wise words. Twenty kilogrammes of them.
Hifi World was one of my favourites when I started out. What hifi was a nice introduction, for me,but World was more interesting with its added DIY element and more technical insights.
I love my Nag MP-110, although as some other commenters have noted it’s elliptical profile means it isn’t happy with some pressings. It doesn’t agree with the latest pressing of PJ Harvey Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea which causes distortion, whereas my other cartridge with a Shibata profile stylus plays it perfectly. Saying that, on a decent pressing the Nag is really very good for the money.
I think you need to remember that it's the second from bottom of the range. It's not claiming to be a super-tracker. But I still think it tracks better than most MM cartridges with a similar stylus profile. Also, try the MP-500 and you'll really hear what a serious stylus profile can do, given the chance - and its life is made even easier by the lighter, stiffer Boron cantilever.
Only just went back in time and bought a Rega planer 6 and Ania MC - running a cheap ifi phono! Maybe a couple of phono preamp reviews - upgrade material to get the best from my deck! You boys remind me of a couple of schoolboys you need to present in your school uniforms ! ( your enthusiasm, nerdiness piss taking - Jez Top trumps, TR7s - takes me back ) love it and never lose it!
I’m confused why Fluance released the RT-85N (w/Nagaoka MP110) at the same exact price as the RT-85 (w/Ortofon 2m Blue) when the Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge is over a hundred dollars cheaper than the Ortofon 2m Blue. The RT-85N should be at least a hundred dollars cheaper
I like the term Fixed Coil cartridge coined by Peter Lederman from SoundSmith. He makes excellent cartridges of this type, as does Grado. In addition to the 10X5 MKII, Dynavector also makes the step up 20X2-H high output MC. I also like some of the better Audio Technica models like the VM760SLC
A very entertaining episode again, thanks! You didn't really explain what the moving iron does, how it works. If I am not mistaken the iron moves within the magnetic field and thus modulates it. The magnet can be much larger and produce a more powerful field as it does not have to move. Soundsmith make some frighteningly expensive MI cartridges, I wonder how they compare to similarly priced MC's, especially as they should in theory be less costly to make.
If thats a 2M red then i share your pain.... literally buy anything else lol. The 2M red is a music ruiner of the highest order. For about the same money an AT95EN is the best alternative imho. If you strech to about £150 the AT95ML has no equal and is world class in many respects.
Save your pennies and go to a moving coil. The Datum S is a great arm and will thrive with a moving coil. You may find it's a sideways upgrade otherwise. Better in the short term to upgrade your stylus to the 2M blue.
It were one of my favorite carts. I am rather advanced technical vinyl user. So I can set each and every angle and settings in at least two different ways and know their strength and weakness in their different methods. 😅 But when I heard and identified that I had high frequency distortion I got very enjoyed. That is a tell that the stylus were not following the Grove! The preconditions that I "suddenly" could hear it were that I had adjusted the DSP little bit brighter and I found a well made record so I could reproduce it on. 😅 I exenged to the MP-200 the one with boron canteliver. That were just broken in. And got the same distortion! Yes, maybe I could try to adjust and get to some point there I could not detect the distortion. But is the cartridge having tracking probkems in its ideal setting then I feel that going to the max recommended VTF from the median setting. Is not benificial for the stylus or the Grove and at best it is just masking the issue of a bad tracker.. All that said I left those elliptical stylus cartridges. And went to more advanced stylus chapes like micro line from AT. Now I got a reviling system and the record. To reproduce the issue. And the issue were not there as with the TWO elliptical styluses! So I will never ever go back to I my point of view inadequate elliptical styluses again. When more advanced shapes is doing the job more correctly. Remember that I used and loved the nagoaka for years and never had an issue (I thought..) but with the right preconditions like learned what to listening after (when identified it is not going to be unheard..). And system little bit brighter so you could hear it plus a record that is "demanding". So it is easy to see why I did not catch it earlier. But in short advanced styluses for the win!😂
I just keep going back the my Stanton 681 ...yes it's a moving iron cartridge. Except it's named L747S a TP4 p-mount version in my Technics SL-7 linear tracking close"n"play. Anyway moving iron rules the lower end. I've had Acutex LM 315 STR , Empire 600t and a Grado prestige . That Acutex was nice. Still went back to the 681. The Shure. Ortofon and Audio Teknica moving magnet cartridges just couldn't produce that moving iron sound stage . This Nagaoka MP-110 is on my wish list. My Stanton stylus always lasted over 600 hours. We will see soon enough if my Lp tunes bonded hypereliptical can match that. I'm about 200 hours in and its sounding very nice now. It did seem to have a long break in .
Great review. Always a pleasure listening to you guys. David I just bought the same cartridge. Thinking of putting it on my Alphason HR100 MCS on a Linn lp 12 cirkus. Do you think this is a good combo or am I being cheap? Hey maybe a Riff on thr Alphason would be in order! Love your channel guys.
Should be a sweet sounding combo. To be honest, the MP-110 will be the weakest link on this deck, but still lots of fun on a budget. You could always upgrade to the better JN-P300 stylus later, or spoil yourself with a new MP-500 if you're feeling flush.
I use an MP150 on my VPI Prime and i habe to say that I'm quite impressed with the sound. It's a little bright for my tastes but in alot of other respects it's very refined and a bit of a bargain.
bought one after seeing considerable positive news on YT,, I found it too warm and wanting for top detail, then agaiin I was half cut when I installed it initially 😹
I prefer the Nagaoka MP100 stevenson aligned... the 110 is less punchy but better if you have a dull sounding system. The MP11 does not sound like the 110 at all :)
Diverge-arama .... Cartridges ..... Dave sitting on the left , Mike sitting on the right - it doesn't get better than this. I'd like to hear one of these Nagaoka's on my LP12 / Aro / Geddon / Superline. I'm slumming it with an Arkiv.
I'd go for the full fat MP-500 with a system like that! And the Arkiv is not a bad cartridge at all - I don't think the MP-110 can quite compete, unless your Linn cartridge is worn out.
Where did you get that lovely Rush light behind you please sirs. I need one. Im.also considering buying the nagaoka 110 I have the atm95e audio technica but I think the 110 is better from.the reviews
i have a RT82 and the OM-10. been asking around and the OM blue came up and MP-110, keep on seeing great reviews on it, some people say they are getting noise from it, but i doubt that is a mainstream issue. and $139 US is in my budget for an upgrade. so i think the Nagaoka maybe the one. was thinking about the Sumiko Pearl, one reason because i like the cartridge body, but then wait, sound is better than looks.
Hi geezers! Would this be a good next choice for someone with a Goldring E-3 or best tp go to a 500? (Thorens 150 with original arm). Thanks guys. Still waiting for an acoustic guitar riff!!!
The MP-500 is overkill with your TD150's stock arm. I'd be looking at the MP-200 at most, or the MP-110 if money is tight. Whichever you choose, it will sound nice.
Thanks again Mr. Price. Mums cleaner broke the cantilever so Ill send her a 200 b4 its replaced. By the way She setup the new Rega amp you suggested over the w/end and thinks its cracking @@MrVinylista 🌞
Always avoid using PVC protector sleeves as they can cause vinyl "misting" as the PVC gas molecules permeate through the cardboard sleeve to the vinyl. Try using Polythene outer-sleeve protectors instead.
Do you guys know anything about Lentek SP 4 speakers. I bought 2 pair at a flea market for 50 dollars. They are quite beautiful and sound amazing. I'd love to know more about them.
I've been considering Nagaoka for years and this really sold me. Question though; isn't permaloy just a type of magnet? In the end, isn't this just a moving magnet? I understand calling it a moving permaloy to distinguish it from heavier magnet types, but it is indeed just a subset of mm, isn't it? This is in contrast to Grado which is truly not a moving magnet but a moving piece of non-magnetized iron. That's truly not a moving magnet, or at least that's how I understood it. What about the step up versions of Nagaoka's MP series. Do you have an opinion on them?
Yes, I would say. The Goldring has a better stylus so high frequencies are slightly more sophisticated, but it sounds sat-upon and slow compared to the MP-110, which is more animated and vibrant. Both have a fairly similar warmish tonal balance, though.
No, i would suggest not. The g1042 has a far superior stylus and a much healthier output, but it all depends on your tonearm, phonostage and taste in music. Great results can be had if attention is paid to a good phono preamp with plenty of gain and adjustable loading.
@@analoglooney The Goldring 1042 is a slow and bland performer, compared to the MP-110, despite being over twice the price. More hi-fi sounding, less musical. Output is only 1.5mV higher, which is not a big deal to a modern phono preamp. As a former 1042 owner, there's still plenty to recommend it, not least its superb stylus, but it's not as much fun.
@@MrVinylista Well 1.5mv is around 20% higher so it is a big deal if your phono stage has an average gain of around 35db. A 40db phono stage would suit it better. Don't get me wrong, I love the mp110, regardless of it's 10 minute stylus life, but it ain't a 1042. I've never heard a 1042 sound bland but there you go, we all hear differently. A 'modern' phono stage makes no difference, it's the gain of the phono stage not when it was made. Quad were making phono stages on the 44 preamp with switchable gain in the 70's and damned good ones too.
@@mikeyevs same here though as more and more people wrote them off and the insurers had difficulty getting them repaired the premiums rocketed. I think it was group 18/19 back in the day. I can also contest at three years old when I sold it it was rust free!
@@MrVinylista I did say almost. But you are both a good watch, and Rush are one of my favourite bands. It's good you mix humour and music reviews in these riffs. That David soul album brings back very fond memories.
I have the 150 on a technics 1200gr mx vynl and sugden a21 with some klipsch heresy 3s can’t fault it to be honest. The klipsch do high light any noise on the records
As far as I know, nagaoka MP-110 is a forward cartridge, I mean it sound forward, just like Heresy 3s. I assume MP-200 would also sound in the face. So ain’t a good pairing with the heresy’s. With klipsch, you require a laid back cartridge because former is forward sounding.
@@faludabutt8253 Some Class A amps, especially Sugdens, can actually sound a little on the tonally thin side. They're certainly not warm and fat like the original Musical Fidelity A1. So it's all down to system synergy. I personally think the Nagaokas are a touch on the tonally warm side, certainly the earlier MP series.
In the interest of balance the 110 does have major caveats.... IGD and very poor lifespan. The AT95ML is the same money and is beyond reproach in these two areas with zero IGD of its own making and a consistency of sound lifespan of 4x the 110!!! Its also an AT cart which heads abit toward the Nag sound as some AT were a tad too bright and surgical. Not the 95 series!
Classic it may be but with an estimated stylus life of only 150-200 hours ( manufacturers spec) they're having a laugh. What are they using for diamonds? The more expensive ones are no better. Put me off buying another one forever. 500hrs should be a minimum at those tracking pressures. We done better than that in the 60's. Shame as it is a nice sounding cartridge.
@@numptification Well that's good to know. The best tool to buy is a usb microscope. Cheap as chips. That way you can at least check for yourself. I bought a brand new Denon DL110 and checked it first under the scope. The diamond was fitted skew to the cantilever and would have dug into the side wall of the LP. They replaced it without drama but it does show how useful a tool it is. It was about £25 and gives up to 1000x mag. Cheaper than a new stylus that you may not need.
@@adotopp1865 A pc should be fine with a usb port. Windows 7 or above. As for smartphone it should be ok if your phone has OTG function (On The Go) but I can't be certain.The one I bought is made by Cainda. Amazon have it. It takes some practice to get it positioned and focused and requires some patience, but when you get used to it, it's a godsend. You can also capture the image so you can compare every six months for wear. If you need ant advice, please ask.
It's not so common that I get so riled up by the hosts, that I feel inclined to attack them with their own "cantilever"! Also, usually it would be some vapid Gen Z Tiks, rather than blokes my own age, whose banter makes any handbook of dad jokes seem like Robin Williams turned up ro 11! Slag me off as much as you want, I will absolutely not be back 🤢
I am happily using an MP-110 on a vintage very heavy Japanese DD turntable. Love your channel.
Under going chemo at the moment and so binge watched your vids. Reminds me of my uni and first work days for some reason with a touch of the Mel Smith and Griffs! Engerised me to get a proper turntable to follow on my post student days when I had a Heybrook TT as a Rega competitor. Was going to get a Rega as your vid recommended but got seduced by an amazing half price deal on a Project X1. Now will think on this cartridge as my next possible upgrade. Thanks for both the technical and riff entertainment.
Thanks Bob, and good luck with everything.
Binge-watching us probably isn't good for your mental health, and/or may induce strange behaviour, with uncontrolled bouts of eBaying.
As they used to say on Hill Street Blues, "let's be careful out there!"
hope things are working out for you and your binge watching can turn in to some binge buying
Yes. This is a great channel for those recuperating. Best of luck.
Upon hearing that he was stage 4, my buddy maxed out his credit card and never made a single payment.
Then he left me his sweet, sweet setup after he passed.
Its bittersweet to listen to music on his old equipment, but the sound is so sublime and I cant help but smile at his final heist.
I'm going to buy this cartridge, found it on Amazon for £132.99. Reason I'm buying it is that it is a moving iron. I was thinking about a 'Soundsmith' cartridge, also moving iron but a lot more expensive. I've been using a MC Ortofon Quintet Blue but I've broken the cantilever, was debating a change from MC, mainly due to suffering from high-end tinnitus ( that's the trouble with getting old) that gets worse when I play music with an energetic treble. This sounds ideal to me, especially as David says it is (ever so) less extended in the higher frequencies. So, it's ordered. Hope it goes well with my OL Silver Mark IV arm ( bought after David's review!)
Also thanks guys, for one of the most unique UA-cam channels, specifically for audiophiles, that I am enjoying so much, this one was a classic and very funny, I must say,
Don't bye from Amazon I have ny
My first cartridge upgrade in 1980 was an MP11, terrific upgrade from what came with the JVC deck I had at the time. I can’t remember how much it cost, but it was under £30.
Thanks guys, always fun!
I recently bought and used an MP-110 on a Sony HX500 turntable to digitise some particularly hard to get vynal LP's.
The resultant DSD files showed significantly more fidelity and musicality than I expected for this level of equipment spend.
Having just given away 1200 LPs from 20 to 30 years ago, I'm not in need of it anymore, but theres no question the MP-110 is an absolute gem at the price point!
This is EXACTLY the table I was getting mine for, good to know that your results were great with the DSD! The changes to the ADC were the thing I was the most worried about. Thank you.
10:13 One of the most surprising things I've heard on UA-cam.
The MP 200 is the sweet spot in the range ; just a fantastic sounding cartridge! If you can’t afford the amazing MP 500 ; this will be a very satisfying choice! The MP 500 on my well Tempered Turntable is sublime ; outperforms many MC ‘s I’ve tried.
I saw the dude reviewing the 110 150 and 200 and the 200 does sound amazing
MP110 is a fantastic cartridge, though like all audio kit it comes to what you match it with, sounds better with my system than cartridges 2 to 3 times the price of it that I've tried, currently using an AT440LMb, but will be getting another MP110 .
Please do a Mc cartridge review, I have a LP12 and want to get a MC cartridge for it
I purchased the MP-200 about a year ago & am super happy with it! I just discovered your channel this morning with your review of the Quad ESL 63s. I am considering a pair at a good price. I am now one of your U.S. viewers now & I enjoy the interaction you both have together!
Thank you and welcome!
I've heard Nagaoka cartridges over the years and always liked them. I'm 63 now and currently use a Dynavector xx2. So have kind of missed the opportunity to own a MP series cartridge. Which I sometimes regret.
I had, and loved an MP11 Boron in a Rega 3 years ago.
Currently running a Denon DL110 in an Akito (I've added some lead tape to the arm). Sounding great tho.
I never knew how these cartridge worked in a different way, thanks very much!
Love the channel guys ,as a fellow analogue nut running a vintage Axis/DL160 setup would love to see a Riff on some budget to mid priced phono stages.Keep up the great work!
I use a Riff2 valve phono stage with a blue point no.2. A knockout mid priced combo & absolutely killer when bolted onto LP12/ Keel/ Cirkus/ Tranquility/Ekos2/ Skale/ Lingo3!
I have an Arcam R phono which we'll do a riff on 👍
Would love to hear a riff on his products (has a couple phono stages), or an interview with Nick Gorgham from Longdog Audio. ;) thanks for your work @hi-firiff
Another great Riff... I'm so pleased to hear someone knowledgeable, explain the differences between pickup cartridge types, I just hope at some point, you may want to explain how someone would know to look, or could find out, if there own or a purchased Tonearm was a Low-Mass, Medium-Mass etc tonearm.
My missus met Antonio when he was filming a tv series in Liverpool. Was chatting to him for ages, said he was lovely, and got a squeeze off him. So I got her a tee shirt that said ‘I’ve Hugged Huggy Bear.”
I have an assortment of cartridges, including a Nagaoka MP-200. The 200 has fantastic crosstalk w/o an azimuth correction, 29db L-R and R-L.
Great riff chaps, pure nostalgia for me. MP10, MP11 boron and the Stilton bodied version all owned back in the day. Went very well in my Pink Triangle, and Roxanne Arm. Another good’en was the Goldring 1040 and 1042 Moving magnets. They all had sensible pricing too. Cheers chaps.
Enjoyed, over the last 20 years or so i've dabbled with MM cartidges Ortofon 520, the concord ortofon range Dj ones , & Goldring 1024 which severed me for years on a old Teak deck and transfered it to a Linn Deck, my current setup is a Roksen radius 5.1 with a Ortofon MM Black whch is amazing , but still have my Linn in storage , so maybe that cartridge would be ideal investment if I re-use my Linn. Its so tempting when you see a 2nd hand moderate price turntable to upgrade it to a better sound. ( show people not into vinyl how it can sound )
Love the Riffs - please keep them coming 👍
Very interesting Riff! I wasn't aware of the "MP" meaning, that is moving permalloy. I came close to try one so many times. There is nothing like a good cartridge swapping to calm the occasional upgrade neurotic disorder... Cheers guys!
I remember years ago having a Len Gregory, who has also passed away, cartridge (re worked Grado) which cost then a whopping £1200. On just about everything it out classed many MC's at 2-3 times the price!!! Thanks guys
think I'd prefer the VM95ML given it's greater detail and clarity for around the same cost.
And its far longer life.
And its lower wear to the records.
And its lower groove noise.
And its lower distortion esp. on inner grooves.
And its better sound (cleaner, clearer, more expansive, less sibilant etc).
NO BRAINER SIR!
Another great HiFi Riff gents. It would be interesting to have a Riff on the Rega cartridges - the MM and MC varieties. I’ve been quite impressed with the Ania and would love to hear your options on their Rega brand cartridges and phono preamps.
Keep 'waffleing" it is a big part of of why I find your channel interesting!
Congrats on the new couch!! These riffs just keep getting better. So funny. I wish I were British so I could understand more of the references. We should all be so lucky to have the kind of friend you have in each other.
I would be interested to hear from you guys or the Riff Raff your thoughts on the Denon DL 103 and whether or not it would be a significant improvement over the 110 and or how close it gets to the MP500 or Ortofon Black LVM. I’m itching to try MC but don’t want to break the bank. Currently have a Clearaudio Virtuoso.
Hi Dan - personally I'd go for the MP-500 if you like a sweeter more romantic sound, or the 250LVB if you like a more detailed, technical sound. I honestly don't think the Denons can quite match either, good as they are. The MP-500 and 250LVB really are state-of-the-art high output cartridges.
I look forward to seeing these riffs brilliant, like your new sofa
Great episode gents, very much enjoyed it.
Oh, and I had the MP11 boron in an RB250 equipped Rega 2 back when I was prepared to faff about with vinyl. It was a great cart then, too.
The MP 11 Boron was my go to back in the 80’s and 90’s
Another very funny Riff, thank you. On the strength of these I have bought some old Hi-fi World magazines from eBay to read more of David's wise words. Twenty kilogrammes of them.
Hifi World was one of my favourites when I started out. What hifi was a nice introduction, for me,but World was more interesting with its added DIY element and more technical insights.
Masochist!
I bought a mp 110 on this review and it sounds great especially for 70S rock music
Still loving mine 👍
Mike
just ordered one with headshell for my sl1200 mk5 im using a grado green now
Let us know how you get on.
Are you sure you don't mean Bungle the Bear David? 😂
Great stuff as always.
Thanks Guys! Yep have one of these, just ordered new stylus as to get better is a big jump in price! Using on OL modified RB250 and Technics SL1200.
I have this cart on a Frankenstein Rega Planar 3 (All ungraded.), though I have been thinking about swapping it out for a Ortofon 2M Red.
I love my Nag MP-110, although as some other commenters have noted it’s elliptical profile means it isn’t happy with some pressings. It doesn’t agree with the latest pressing of PJ Harvey Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea which causes distortion, whereas my other cartridge with a Shibata profile stylus plays it perfectly. Saying that, on a decent pressing the Nag is really very good for the money.
Very interesting comment!
Mike
@@Hi-FiRiff maybe I need to upgrade to the MP-500
I think you need to remember that it's the second from bottom of the range. It's not claiming to be a super-tracker. But I still think it tracks better than most MM cartridges with a similar stylus profile. Also, try the MP-500 and you'll really hear what a serious stylus profile can do, given the chance - and its life is made even easier by the lighter, stiffer Boron cantilever.
@@MrVinylista I agree, and I think it comes more down to pressing than the cartridge in this instance. BTW, you may have cost me a lot more money!
@@attrktmarketing4582 Haha. By the way, when replacing the MP-110 stylus, you can go all the way up to the JN-P300 stylus from higher in the range.
Another enjoyable Rift. As an aside, I can't look at a picture of that Ortofon LVB250 without thinking 'Rod Stewart'...
Only just went back in time and bought a Rega planer 6 and Ania MC - running a cheap ifi phono! Maybe a couple of phono preamp reviews - upgrade material to get the best from my deck! You boys remind me of a couple of schoolboys you need to present in your school uniforms ! ( your enthusiasm, nerdiness piss taking - Jez Top trumps, TR7s - takes me back ) love it and never lose it!
It's exactly what we are!
Graham Slee!!!
I’m confused why Fluance released the RT-85N (w/Nagaoka MP110) at the same exact price as the RT-85 (w/Ortofon 2m Blue) when the Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge is over a hundred dollars cheaper than the Ortofon 2m Blue. The RT-85N should be at least a hundred dollars cheaper
Great riff deserves more subscribers
I like the term Fixed Coil cartridge coined by Peter Lederman from SoundSmith. He makes excellent cartridges of this type, as does Grado. In addition to the 10X5 MKII, Dynavector also makes the step up 20X2-H high output MC. I also like some of the better Audio Technica models like the VM760SLC
A very entertaining episode again, thanks! You didn't really explain what the moving iron does, how it works. If I am not mistaken the iron moves within the magnetic field and thus modulates it. The magnet can be much larger and produce a more powerful field as it does not have to move. Soundsmith make some frighteningly expensive MI cartridges, I wonder how they compare to similarly priced MC's, especially as they should in theory be less costly to make.
Cheers fellas. I’m on the lookout for an alternative to my Ortofon Red cartilage for my Linn LP12/Logic Datum S tonearm
If thats a 2M red then i share your pain.... literally buy anything else lol. The 2M red is a music ruiner of the highest order. For about the same money an AT95EN is the best alternative imho. If you strech to about £150 the AT95ML has no equal and is world class in many respects.
Save your pennies and go to a moving coil. The Datum S is a great arm and will thrive with a moving coil. You may find it's a sideways upgrade otherwise. Better in the short term to upgrade your stylus to the 2M blue.
It were one of my favorite carts.
I am rather advanced technical vinyl user. So I can set each and every angle and settings in at least two different ways and know their strength and weakness in their different methods. 😅
But when I heard and identified that I had high frequency distortion I got very enjoyed.
That is a tell that the stylus were not following the Grove!
The preconditions that I "suddenly" could hear it were that I had adjusted the DSP little bit brighter and I found a well made record so I could reproduce it on. 😅
I exenged to the MP-200 the one with boron canteliver. That were just broken in.
And got the same distortion!
Yes, maybe I could try to adjust and get to some point there I could not detect the distortion. But is the cartridge having tracking probkems in its ideal setting then I feel that going to the max recommended VTF from the median setting.
Is not benificial for the stylus or the Grove and at best it is just masking the issue of a bad tracker..
All that said I left those elliptical stylus cartridges.
And went to more advanced stylus chapes like micro line from AT.
Now I got a reviling system and the record. To reproduce the issue. And the issue were not there as with the TWO elliptical styluses!
So I will never ever go back to I my point of view inadequate elliptical styluses again.
When more advanced shapes is doing the job more correctly.
Remember that I used and loved the nagoaka for years and never had an issue (I thought..) but with the right preconditions like learned what to listening after (when identified it is not going to be unheard..). And system little bit brighter so you could hear it plus a record that is "demanding".
So it is easy to see why I did not catch it earlier.
But in short advanced styluses for the win!😂
Very enjoyable this one, well done gents. Out of curiosity what phono stage did you use? Thanks
I just keep going back the my Stanton 681 ...yes it's a moving iron cartridge. Except it's named L747S a TP4 p-mount version in my Technics SL-7 linear tracking close"n"play. Anyway moving iron rules the lower end. I've had Acutex LM 315 STR , Empire 600t and a Grado prestige . That Acutex was nice. Still went back to the 681. The Shure. Ortofon and Audio Teknica moving magnet cartridges just couldn't produce that moving iron sound stage . This Nagaoka MP-110 is on my wish list. My Stanton stylus always lasted over 600 hours. We will see soon enough if my Lp tunes bonded hypereliptical can match that. I'm about 200 hours in and its sounding very nice now. It did seem to have a long break in .
Great review. Always a pleasure listening to you guys.
David I just bought the same cartridge. Thinking of putting it on my Alphason HR100 MCS on a Linn lp 12 cirkus. Do you think this is a good combo or am I being cheap?
Hey maybe a Riff on thr Alphason would be in order!
Love your channel guys.
Should be a sweet sounding combo. To be honest, the MP-110 will be the weakest link on this deck, but still lots of fun on a budget. You could always upgrade to the better JN-P300 stylus later, or spoil yourself with a new MP-500 if you're feeling flush.
You mentioned the band 'Talk Talk'. I saw them play here in Southern California and they were great.
Bill & Ted’s musical journey 👍🎶🎶
I think their air guitar is the middle one on the wall.😊
I use an MP150 on my VPI Prime and i habe to say that I'm quite impressed with the sound. It's a little bright for my tastes but in alot of other respects it's very refined and a bit of a bargain.
It's funny, if I had one criticism of the 110, it would be that it is slightly dull.
Perhaps they should make a 130 :-)
Mike
i feel nagaoka are under rated as a cartridge they sound so natural and great value for money
Totally agree.
Mike
bought one after seeing considerable positive news on YT,, I found it too warm and wanting for top detail, then agaiin I was half cut when I installed it initially 😹
I prefer the Nagaoka MP100 stevenson aligned... the 110 is less punchy but better if you have a dull sounding system. The MP11 does not sound like the 110 at all :)
Diverge-arama .... Cartridges ..... Dave sitting on the left , Mike sitting on the right - it doesn't get better than this. I'd like to hear one of these Nagaoka's on my LP12 / Aro / Geddon / Superline. I'm slumming it with an Arkiv.
I'd go for the full fat MP-500 with a system like that! And the Arkiv is not a bad cartridge at all - I don't think the MP-110 can quite compete, unless your Linn cartridge is worn out.
Please forgive me for slightly taking the mickey but my mathematics works out 9+9 =18 overall score not 9? 😅
Where did you get that lovely Rush light behind you please sirs. I need one. Im.also considering buying the nagaoka 110 I have the atm95e audio technica but I think the 110 is better from.the reviews
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284213741806?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=0ExRcIslR6O&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=NaORyjKLTFq&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=EMAIL
i have a RT82 and the OM-10. been asking around and the OM blue came up and MP-110, keep on seeing great reviews on it, some people say they are getting noise from it, but i doubt that is a mainstream issue. and $139 US is in my budget for an upgrade. so i think the Nagaoka maybe the one. was thinking about the Sumiko Pearl, one reason because i like the cartridge body, but then wait, sound is better than looks.
Hi geezers! Would this be a good next choice for someone with a Goldring E-3 or best tp go to a 500? (Thorens 150 with original arm). Thanks guys. Still waiting for an acoustic guitar riff!!!
The MP-500 is overkill with your TD150's stock arm. I'd be looking at the MP-200 at most, or the MP-110 if money is tight. Whichever you choose, it will sound nice.
Thanks again Mr. Price. Mums cleaner broke the cantilever so Ill send her a 200 b4 its replaced. By the way She setup the new Rega amp you suggested over the w/end and thinks its cracking @@MrVinylista 🌞
Always avoid using PVC protector sleeves as they can cause vinyl "misting" as the PVC gas molecules permeate through the cardboard sleeve to the vinyl. Try using Polythene outer-sleeve protectors instead.
After using this and the 2m blue. I prefer the blue. ImO
Hi Mike David soul RIP starred in Steven Kings Salem's Lot a story about vampires not witches 😅
Do you guys know anything about Lentek SP 4 speakers. I bought 2 pair at a flea market for 50 dollars. They are quite beautiful and sound amazing. I'd love to know more about them.
Rush again lads - you're driving me away ;-)
Nooo! 😁
So Mike's new sofa, straight out of the wrapping I guess . Is it leaching toxic fumes ? That would explain the first half today's video
How do you explain all the other Riff's?
With great difficulty and no small amount of affection @@Hi-FiRiff
Was the Nagaoka MP-110 the cartridge that came on the Linn Basik + (Plus) tonearm? Was the stylus replaceable?
I've been considering Nagaoka for years and this really sold me.
Question though; isn't permaloy just a type of magnet? In the end, isn't this just a moving magnet? I understand calling it a moving permaloy to distinguish it from heavier magnet types, but it is indeed just a subset of mm, isn't it? This is in contrast to Grado which is truly not a moving magnet but a moving piece of non-magnetized iron. That's truly not a moving magnet, or at least that's how I understood it.
What about the step up versions of Nagaoka's MP series. Do you have an opinion on them?
definitely one for @MrVinylista :-)
Hands off my chop stick 😂😂😂
Would this be suitable with an Axis & Basik LV X ?
Yes, perfect for it.
David Soul was super vampire 😊
Better than the goldring g1042 ?
Yes, I would say. The Goldring has a better stylus so high frequencies are slightly more sophisticated, but it sounds sat-upon and slow compared to the MP-110, which is more animated and vibrant. Both have a fairly similar warmish tonal balance, though.
No, i would suggest not. The g1042 has a far superior stylus and a much healthier output, but it all depends on your tonearm, phonostage and taste in music. Great results can be had if attention is paid to a good phono preamp with plenty of gain and adjustable loading.
@@analoglooney The Goldring 1042 is a slow and bland performer, compared to the MP-110, despite being over twice the price. More hi-fi sounding, less musical. Output is only 1.5mV higher, which is not a big deal to a modern phono preamp. As a former 1042 owner, there's still plenty to recommend it, not least its superb stylus, but it's not as much fun.
@@MrVinylista Well 1.5mv is around 20% higher so it is a big deal if your phono stage has an average gain of around 35db. A 40db phono stage would suit it better. Don't get me wrong, I love the mp110, regardless of it's 10 minute stylus life, but it ain't a 1042. I've never heard a 1042 sound bland but there you go, we all hear differently. A 'modern' phono stage makes no difference, it's the gain of the phono stage not when it was made. Quad were making phono stages on the 44 preamp with switchable gain in the 70's and damned good ones too.
Don't they make goldring?
That is actually really sad. I didn't know that David Soul had died until now. Too upset to watch the rest of the video. 😢
So sorry to be the bearers of such awful news.
Wearing oven glove cuz playing with chopstick 😂
Seriously well explained 😂😂
Thank you. As you can see, I come from a family of scientists. 😎
What was the Gabriel car? I thought it was a Granada or a Jenson back in the day!
It was a Lancia 2000 which belonged to Storm Thorgerson, who took the photo.
Mike
@@mikeyevs I had an HPE around then, I was in good company🤣
@@kjbunnyboiler I absolutely loved the HPE!
@@mikeyevs same here though as more and more people wrote them off and the insurers had difficulty getting them repaired the premiums rocketed. I think it was group 18/19 back in the day. I can also contest at three years old when I sold it it was rust free!
The HPE was a fantastic looking car and superb to drive, when it was working of course or hadnt fallen apart from rust. Halcyon days.
I think that Aro in the pic (21.33) may have an issue🤣🤣
It's the anti-matter version of Mike's ARO, in a world where water flows uphill and magnetic north is south.
Is it true that the needles wear out quickly with Nagaoka?
Apparently so, but mine is still going strong 👍
Mike
Wow! Imagine meeting Huggy!!
Only David would remember his real name!
Mike
I love this channel, im almost starting to believe what you both say. Not really !
I say, steady on!
@@MrVinylista I did say almost. But you are both a good watch, and Rush are one of my favourite bands. It's good you mix humour and music reviews in these riffs. That David soul album brings back very fond memories.
For a moment I thought this was a catridge..
Think the cat was assisting with the wiring of the cart
@@jdekong3945 That four legged furry hooligan nearly broke the Nagaoka's cantilever!
I have the 150 on a technics 1200gr mx vynl and sugden a21 with some klipsch heresy 3s can’t fault it to be honest. The klipsch do high light any noise on the records
As far as I know, nagaoka MP-110 is a forward cartridge, I mean it sound forward, just like Heresy 3s. I assume MP-200 would also sound in the face. So ain’t a good pairing with the heresy’s. With klipsch, you require a laid back cartridge because former is forward sounding.
@@faludabutt8253 Respectfully you're assumptions are wrong and quite far off mark.
@@gaza4543 I had the herseys with class A amp with nagaoka. So it’s not an assumption.
@@faludabutt8253 Some Class A amps, especially Sugdens, can actually sound a little on the tonally thin side. They're certainly not warm and fat like the original Musical Fidelity A1. So it's all down to system synergy. I personally think the Nagaokas are a touch on the tonally warm side, certainly the earlier MP series.
If you put the magnet in water it doesn't work apparently....who knew?
I almost never play records underwater. Now I'm glad I don't.
Shame. Playing LP's underwater gives them a more liquid sound. LOL.
In the interest of balance the 110 does have major caveats.... IGD and very poor lifespan. The AT95ML is the same money and is beyond reproach in these two areas with zero IGD of its own making and a consistency of sound lifespan of 4x the 110!!!
Its also an AT cart which heads abit toward the Nag sound as some AT were a tad too bright and surgical. Not the 95 series!
I agree. The VM95ml is a better cart for the money. The stylus on the 110 is made from blu-tak. 150 hrs? Pants.
@@analoglooney And thats not taking into account what its doing to your records grooves either!
Classic it may be but with an estimated stylus life of only 150-200 hours ( manufacturers spec) they're having a laugh. What are they using for diamonds? The more expensive ones are no better. Put me off buying another one forever. 500hrs should be a minimum at those tracking pressures. We done better than that in the 60's. Shame as it is a nice sounding cartridge.
I've used an MP 110 for about five years. I think I get about 500 hours from a stylus before I notice excessive surface noise.
@@numptification Well that's good to know. The best tool to buy is a usb microscope. Cheap as chips. That way you can at least check for yourself. I bought a brand new Denon DL110 and checked it first under the scope. The diamond was fitted skew to the cantilever and would have dug into the side wall of the LP. They replaced it without drama but it does show how useful a tool it is. It was about £25 and gives up to 1000x mag. Cheaper than a new stylus that you may not need.
@@analoglooneythanks for this. I don't have a laptop, I have a smartphone and a PC. Can I use a usb microscope?
@@adotopp1865 A pc should be fine with a usb port. Windows 7 or above. As for smartphone it should be ok if your phone has OTG function (On The Go) but I can't be certain.The one I bought is made by Cainda. Amazon have it. It takes some practice to get it positioned and focused and requires some patience, but when you get used to it, it's a godsend. You can also capture the image so you can compare every six months for wear. If you need ant advice, please ask.
The Audio Technica at-vm95sh costs the same and it's a far better cartridge.
I have both.
It's like going back in time... AT95 vs MP11.
Glorious.
Glad you like the AT, we are both fans too
Mike
23 minutes of 2 old women mindless babbling, with 30 seconds of actual audio information.
Your not find a better formula anyway else on UA-cam
I know! Great aren’t they? 😸
Less of the "old" please.
I think '30 seconds of actual audio information' is optimistic, but thank you anyway.
@@MrVinylista way more than normal!
It's not so common that I get so riled up by the hosts, that I feel inclined to attack them with their own "cantilever"! Also, usually it would be some vapid Gen Z Tiks, rather than blokes my own age, whose banter makes any handbook of dad jokes seem like Robin Williams turned up ro 11!
Slag me off as much as you want, I will absolutely not be back 🤢
Ah well, never mind. Probably best not to join us for a beer in the Hi-Fi pub, as we are just as puerile in the flesh I'm afraid. Mike