NagaokaMP500 Moving Magnet Turntable Cartridge

Quick to arrive (delivered within 3 days), and well packaged considering how fragile phono carts are.The cartridge has an incredibly thin cantilever compared to my old TT, and I was terrified of accidentally knocking and bending it, but fortunately I was ok; the cover that comes with the cart was definitely helpful here.Sound quality-wise it's absolutely fantastic. On a Rega RP6 it is a definite step up from my old Bias 2 cart, granted that it was definitely the bottleneck in my setup. The inner groove distortion that plagued my old cart has immediately disappeared, the soundstage is wider, and the sound is fuller than ever before. The "wall of sound" feeling that comes with worse carts has also gone, leading to a far more natural sound. Records in vg+ condition sound infinitely better than before thanks to the narrower stylus tip, and surface noise is now nonexistent bar the small amount of hum from my headphone amp.If you have the money this is an astonishing and gorgeous little cart that will sing on a good table.

The Nagaoka MP500 is simply astonishing. the line contact diamond and boron cantilever aligned with the superb design of the cartridge body produces an immensely detailed enjoyable vinyl sonic experience. Like all high quality cartridges its unforgiving of average recordings but it tracks like a dream and in my opinion sounds better than MC carts considerably more expensive. I am an MM fellow and this tops my list so far, including 2M Black Ortofon, Clearaudio Virtuoso (also incredible) Dynavector 10x5 (MC but high output) and Shure. Nagaoka know cartridges, been in the game a long time and produce for other companies. MTFBWYA

Fantastic cartridge. Use it on my Rega. Bought from another supplier who was much cheaper (direct from Japan).