Nagaoka MP-500
Best high end upgrade for serious vinyl enthusiasts seeking musical warmth.
This premounted cartridge and headshell combo simplifies the upgrade process while delivering audiophile-grade clarity. It combines a high-performance moving magnet design with a rigid, lightweight mounting system to ensure precise tracking and minimal resonance across a wide range of tonearms.
$998.44
at
LP Gear
Who it's for
- Audiophiles seeking maximum clarity and resolution from their vinyl collection
- Listeners who prefer a natural, non-clinical sound signature
- Collectors playing complex orchestral or high-dynamic range recordings
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious hobbyists looking for an entry-level upgrade
- Impatient listeners wanting peak performance immediately out of the box
- Owners of specialized ultra-low mass vintage turntables
Performance breakdown
Tracking Precision
The superfine line contact stylus navigates complex grooves with surgical accuracy.
Installation Ease
Premounted design eliminates the most tedious aspects of cartridge setup.
Resonance Control
Duralumin headshell construction effectively dampens vibration for a cleaner signal.
Detail Retrieval
Boron cantilever extracts subtle textures often missed by lesser cartridges.
Tonearm Compatibility
Versatile design pairs well with a wide range of standard tonearms.
Frequency Balance
Delivers a rich, full-bodied sound signature across the entire audible spectrum.
Key Specs
Type
Moving magnet
Cantilever
High-strength boron
Stylus type
Superfine line contact diamond
Output voltage
3 mV
Frequency response
20Hz-25kHz
Channel balance
> 1dB
Channel separation
> 27dB
Recommended loading
47k ohms
Tracking force range
1.3 - 1.8 g
Weight
16.7 g
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