You make the best real world comparison videos! Really appreciate all your work and research. I couldn't hear a difference between the 2 so I'll stick with my MP-110. Thank you for this video and all your other vids!
they were really really close the differences were very subtle to me even using some good headphone like the sennheiser hd650, amazing performance from the MP-110, I have the MP-200 which I'm very happy with.
Thank you so much for these vids man, I'm in the process of deciding which Nagaoka cart and stylus(or mismatch of the two) I want and this is incredibly helpful, this is the final piece to the puzzle that will help me make a decision.
I have the Schiit Loki eq in my system, so I can make my Nagaoka mp-110 to sound even more clearer then the mp-150, it's amazing how a tiny adjustment on the eq can transform your sound.
I got some carts on my Rega P3 and Nagaokas are truely awesome MP110, MP150, MP500. MP110 is warmer, MP150j is more detailed but same spatiality I would say, but MP110 little more forgiving and sweet. MP500 really big step and very 3D sound worth every penny, so I even buy stylus replacment for 500 and sound is same great, still keep previous carts for spare. I think both MP110 and MP500 are super fine value.
Difference isn't really that noticeable to me, especially with the price difference. I'll save some money and stick with my 110. Thanks for the comparison.
The MP-110 is one of the true bargains out there. Coupled with say a Schiit Mani preamp and you've go the beginnings of high end sound at bargain basement prices.
I respect Nagaoka for not selling to price points. As our host said, each of us will either pay or not pay for the upgrade, but we need to buy the complete MP-150 to get the improvement.
@@1mctous The Audio Technica AT120e (I think it's called the 520e now) will get you the same performance with a nude mounted elliptical for 2/3 the price.
@@ElectoneGuy AT120E is discontinued, It's equivalent replacement is the VM530EN and it retails for $179. It's cheaper still but no way 2/3 of the price. I have the VM530EN and I'm not into bleeding ears after extended listening which is why I sock drawered it for a 2M Blue.
Again I commend you on this unique way of testing. The copyright police do not interfere. The price difference is not worth jumping to the MP150. It's very slight difference in separation. Or slightly better vocals
For those who can't hear the difference, here's where I noticed the biggest improvement. Listen to the vocals and the way they stand strong on their own with the 150.
I put the MP-200 stylus (JNP-200) on the MP-110 body and think it's a great combination. I don't have two cartridge bodies to compare but the stylus upgrade is significant with the boron cantilever on the JNP-200 stylus.
Nice video. Listening on my ipad over DT1990 headphones (which is a stretch I admit). Revealing cans normally. I barely hear a difference between any of the clips. Same with the downloads. What did you use as a da converter? Maybe I’m getting old/deaf…
I actually preferred the MP150 stylus... more refined overall. On peaks it was smoother, whereas the MP110 was bit harsher. Some might hear the 110 stylus as enhanced detail but it sounds more like mistracking to me.
Thanks for a great video! Have you found it true that you need to replace the style as often as the company recommends? It seems rather short (maybe 10 times shorter than other companies)
Phenomenal comparison! Someone else already asked this, but have you compared the 110 Stylus on the 150 Body? Does the improved Body elevate the sound of the lower-end stylus (or are they specially tuned to match Body-and-Stylus)?
The MP110 offers a bonded elliptical stylus on an aluminum cantilever, the MP150 has a nude elliptical on a tapered aluminum cantilever and better coils under the hood. Those differences are well worth the $100 premium if your system has good resolution. On a lesser system, there's no reason to spend the extra.
Unfortunately in Canada where I live these cartridges are not good value. The greedy pricks that import it jack up the prices to over twice that of the US. What costs about $225 in the US will cost about $500 in Canada. Not such a bargain any more.
Great video! I have the MP110 and wondered about upgrading just the stylus. Good to know it might not get the better results I thought it would. What are your thoughts on using the Nagaoka mono stylus on the 110 body?
Nice video!. I just have twist the stylus of my MP-110 while cleaning my Rega Planar 3. I could repair it a little, but it is no OK. What do you recommend?
The only real difference I heard was the stylus test, and the 110 sounded louder and clearer. Very little sonic difference I could hear ( with these tests)
Great video. One thing struck me, though. You said you had to lower the volume when listening to the 150 in order to compare to the 110. But isn't the 150's output lower than 110's? 4,5v vs 5v (respectively)
Good test, solid conclusions. In my setting ( Ipad 4, JBL EB 50 T headphone) no difference I would pay for. By the way: how do you set up your cartridges?
I guess the MP-150 combines the best of both worlds, in a way. It sounds similar to the MP-110 because it has a similar warm character, but it's also clearer and sharper on the treble, much like the Ortofon. Basically, both the MP110 and the Ortofon have more in common with the MP150 than they do directly with each other.
Hi great video, what would you recommend for a Rega P3? I have the elys but find that it's very CD like.. I play alot of vocal midrange music. Nagoaka 110, 150 Exact Or Denon dl 110. Thanks
Will both of these cartridges work with the original pioneer head shell for the pl518/pl540? I have a 518 and the headshell has a lip at the end. It appears you may be using the pioneer headshell with the mp110, but I wanted to confirm
hi, I write from Italy, great channel! Just a question, in your great experience with Nagaoka, could I put mp-20 stylus within mp30 cartridge? there are some p to use mp-30 instead of mp-20?
Hello all, anyway to ask a question if anyone knows? I have SL D2 turntable with an old Pickering DLE cartridge on it. Seems to sound ok still. Paperwork shows It's size Elliptical .0004 - .0007 tracking 3/4 - 1 1/2, Freq 10-20K Chan separation 28db, output vol 4.4. How would this compare to these new cartridges 110 or 150? I don't really hear the differences on these comparisons with headphone or thru the lap top itself. Just wondering?
I would rather be the difference between MP-300 and MP-150 :) I suppose the difference between MP-300 and MP-500 will be significant because the MP-500 has more advanced stylus (microline)
I couldn't hear any difference, from looking at the comments it looks like I'm not alone.. Based on your other tests, the Ortofon 2M blue might be my next try.
Not worth the price difference. The 150 was very slightly more high-end frequencies than the 110. The 150 vocals was so very slightly improved over the 110. I'm lovin' my 110 and the Schitt Mani Pre
Interesting! I notice a much more profound mid-range in the 150. A little more analytic, clear, and "present." But not enough of a difference to warrant that price jump ;)
Exactly as I expected and know from other comparisons. The 150 is more clear and present in general. Switching only styli does not yield successful results as the carts are tuned very specifically and the bodies do make a difference. As usual the drum hits on the last track really showed the difference in detail of the reverb. Just to be clear though, as I understand it this is how the bodies are paired with the styli. 100 - 110 Share bodies 150 - 200 Share bodies 300 - 500 Share bodies So switching styli between these 3 pairs of bodies should make an intended difference. Although I could be wrong.
@@Audiorpheus_Vinyl It shouldnt make too much of a difference relatively speaking, since I think just the cantilever is different, boron instead of aluminium. The only difference I remember from a comparison was a little bit clearer imaging on mostly Jazz. Some say its got slightly deeper bass and more detail but I couldnt really tell. But its what I use anyway so Im happy ;^) What does a 200 retail for in the US by the way?
I know this has nothing to do with the way these sound, but they look, with their stuck-on laminate logos and clunky plastic bodies, like something on a JC Penney house-brand turntable in 1970.
Haha, I actually like the look a lot. The creamy colors seem more appealing to me than the neon-esque ones I see on other brands. You are right though; that yellow is nearly identical to the stock AT cart on the Technics-made MCS-6602 sold as the JC Penny's house brand turntable.
Ha! I was shooting from the hip, but I see this series literally resembles bargain-basement AT cartridges like the AT91 that were common on house-brand turntables in the 70s. There's a kind of weird "if it looks like 70s Sears cut-rate, and smells over-priced, it has to be good!" quality to these, I admit. Tempts a guy to put on a plaid jacket, Converse all-stars, and big shades . . .
I agree but actually love the look. Reminds me of the audio technica at91. Also looks identical to the cart on my old JVC turntable from a rack system circa 1986. It was also audio technica. The Sumiko Pearl is also very similar.
@@johanncat-s007 The at91 actually can sound amazing on a decent table. I have many other more expensive carts but have mad respect for AT91 and ATVM95C.
Tell her the nude stylus makes the experience significantly more immersive (which it does) and that the MP-150 is getting serious while the MP-110 is just entry level. Also, and this is no bullshit, the difference is minimal after RUclips compression. In real life there is a much bigger difference and so the money is worth it.
yeah, Im glad i went with 110 and saved money... i listened to them all a bunch of times and heard no difference... maybe there would be in real life without digitizing and compressing... but the 2M Blue vs the 110 was night and day differences in sound... these i couldnt hear anything
You guys down bellow it seems to me that you do not know what to look for in difference... Or have shitty ears. Sorry. There is a clear difference even on youtube.
That MP-110 is one heck of an awesome cartridge
I love mine.
Well done my friend✌😄👍👍👍👍👍
Keep on spinning and thank you for your efforts!!!
Warmest Regards and have a great week ahead Buddy💪🤗🎶🎵🎶🎶
You make the best real world comparison videos! Really appreciate all your work and research. I couldn't hear a difference between the 2 so I'll stick with my MP-110. Thank you for this video and all your other vids!
I can hear the difference but with my set-up the 110 might sound best. The 150 is priced at over $400 in the USA now from Lp Gear.
they were really really close the differences were very subtle to me even using some good headphone like the sennheiser hd650, amazing performance from the MP-110, I have the MP-200 which I'm very happy with.
Thank you for a no nonsense comparison!
Thank you so much for these vids man, I'm in the process of deciding which Nagaoka cart and stylus(or mismatch of the two) I want and this is incredibly helpful, this is the final piece to the puzzle that will help me make a decision.
I agree wirh your assesments. Your recordings back them up to my ears. Thank you.
I have the 110 and even though it's on a Rega RB300 (no VTA adjustments) it sound really good. Got it at Yodobashii Camera in Yokohama.
Thank you! You just saved me $150
For me too,
I have the Schiit Loki eq in my system, so I can make my Nagaoka mp-110 to sound even more clearer then the mp-150, it's amazing how a tiny adjustment on the eq can transform your sound.
I want to add that.
I got some carts on my Rega P3 and Nagaokas are truely awesome MP110, MP150, MP500. MP110 is warmer, MP150j is more detailed but same spatiality I would say, but MP110 little more forgiving and sweet. MP500 really big step and very 3D sound worth every penny, so I even buy stylus replacment for 500 and sound is same great, still keep previous carts for spare. I think both MP110 and MP500 are super fine value.
Difference isn't really that noticeable to me, especially with the price difference. I'll save some money and stick with my 110. Thanks for the comparison.
The MP-110 is one of the true bargains out there. Coupled with say a Schiit Mani preamp and you've go the beginnings of high end sound at bargain basement prices.
I run mine with a Darlington Labs MM 6 B
Why not try the 110 stylus on the 150 body?
The 150 is better, but I could live with the 110 for the price.
The 150 sounds very nice
There is such a great price gap between the 110 to the 150. Almost seems like there should be something in-between.
I respect Nagaoka for not selling to price points. As our host said, each of us will either pay or not pay for the upgrade, but we need to buy the complete MP-150 to get the improvement.
@@1mctous The Audio Technica AT120e (I think it's called the 520e now) will get you the same performance with a nude mounted elliptical for 2/3 the price.
@@ElectoneGuy AT120E is discontinued, It's equivalent replacement is the VM530EN and it retails for $179. It's cheaper still but no way 2/3 of the price. I have the VM530EN and I'm not into bleeding ears after extended listening which is why I sock drawered it for a 2M Blue.
??? A/T ????@@ElectoneGuy
2:20 "ALLL-MOND GOBBLE, SWEAT-STAINED...STAIRS!!!"
VERY WELL DONE!!!!!
Again I commend you on this unique way of testing. The copyright police do not interfere. The price difference is not worth jumping to the MP150. It's very slight difference in separation. Or slightly better vocals
Nice test. The difference bettween bodies reminds me the difference between Ortofon OM and SuperOM bodies.
For those who can't hear the difference, here's where I noticed the biggest improvement. Listen to the vocals and the way they stand strong on their own with the 150.
Thanks. I prefer the MP110.
I really love mine.
Meanwhile the MP-110 costs around 160€ and the MP-150 ~ 350€. Thats a huge pricestep for
a rather gradual qualitystepup.
I put the MP-200 stylus (JNP-200) on the MP-110 body and think it's a great combination. I don't have two cartridge bodies to compare but the stylus upgrade is significant with the boron cantilever on the JNP-200 stylus.
really? good to know!!
Nice video.
Listening on my ipad over DT1990 headphones (which is a stretch I admit). Revealing cans normally. I barely hear a difference between any of the clips. Same with the downloads. What did you use as a da converter?
Maybe I’m getting old/deaf…
It is said 100/110 share the same body, and 150/200, then 300/500
Nice comparison.
What if you tried the 110 stylus on the improved 150 body?
Does that also improve the audio playback quality?
I’m curious about this too!
You need to listen on a stereo to really appreciate the differences.. I own an MP200 and an MP150. The 200 is a nice step up.
I actually preferred the MP150 stylus... more refined overall. On peaks it was smoother, whereas the MP110 was bit harsher. Some might hear the 110 stylus as enhanced detail but it sounds more like mistracking to me.
Thanks for a great video! Have you found it true that you need to replace the style as often as the company recommends? It seems rather short (maybe 10 times shorter than other companies)
Phenomenal comparison! Someone else already asked this, but have you compared the 110 Stylus on the 150 Body? Does the improved Body elevate the sound of the lower-end stylus (or are they specially tuned to match Body-and-Stylus)?
The MP110 offers a bonded elliptical stylus on an aluminum cantilever, the MP150 has a nude elliptical on a tapered aluminum cantilever and better coils under the hood. Those differences are well worth the $100 premium if your system has good resolution. On a lesser system, there's no reason to spend the extra.
Unfortunately in Canada where I live these cartridges are not good value. The greedy pricks that import it jack up the prices to over twice that of the US. What costs about $225 in the US will cost about $500 in Canada. Not such a bargain any more.
Getting pricy in the USA too.
Helo Mr Audiorpheus! (sorry, what's your name sir?) I love your videos! keep it up the good/hard work!
it s all in the body.. Thank you @audiorpheus
Great video! I have the MP110 and wondered about upgrading just the stylus. Good to know it might not get the better results I thought it would. What are your thoughts on using the Nagaoka mono stylus on the 110 body?
Nice video!. I just have twist the stylus of my MP-110 while cleaning my Rega Planar 3. I could repair it a little, but it is no OK. What do you recommend?
Nagaoka Stylus of 110
I couldn't hear a tonal difference at the resolution I was listening at.
Check out the link in my description and see if you notice a difference there
Good points!
Joey cape ...perfect choice.
The only real difference I heard was the stylus test, and the 110 sounded louder and clearer. Very little sonic difference I could hear ( with these tests)
joey cape...great choice
Great video. One thing struck me, though. You said you had to lower the volume when listening to the 150 in order to compare to the 110. But isn't the 150's output lower than 110's? 4,5v vs 5v (respectively)
Should have put the 110 stylus on the 150 body and compared that. Could make for less expensive replacements
Shouldn’t you compare Nagaoka 150 with Ortofon Bronze as they both have almost the same price range?
Good test, solid conclusions. In my setting ( Ipad 4, JBL EB 50 T headphone) no difference I would pay for. By the way: how do you set up your cartridges?
ortofon blue sounds similar to mp150; mp110 sounds similar to mp150..but why mp110 is so different from ortofon blue?
I guess the MP-150 combines the best of both worlds, in a way. It sounds similar to the MP-110 because it has a similar warm character, but it's also clearer and sharper on the treble, much like the Ortofon. Basically, both the MP110 and the Ortofon have more in common with the MP150 than they do directly with each other.
Hi great video, what would you recommend for a Rega P3?
I have the elys but find that it's very CD like.. I play alot of vocal midrange music.
Nagoaka 110, 150
Exact
Or Denon dl 110.
Thanks
Shahed Ahmed did u find out ?
Nagaoka MP 110 rules for me in My Rega p3
agree small difference
Will both of these cartridges work with the original pioneer head shell for the pl518/pl540? I have a 518 and the headshell has a lip at the end. It appears you may be using the pioneer headshell with the mp110, but I wanted to confirm
hi, I write from Italy, great channel!
Just a question, in your great experience with Nagaoka, could I put mp-20 stylus within mp30 cartridge? there are some p to use mp-30 instead of mp-20?
The musical choices make the comparisons moot.
I feel the body contributed more to the improvement.
Why do these Nagoaka's all look like bloody lego bricks? bloody ugly things that sound incredible
Hello all, anyway to ask a question if anyone knows? I have SL D2 turntable with an old Pickering DLE cartridge on it. Seems to sound ok still. Paperwork shows It's size Elliptical .0004 - .0007 tracking 3/4 - 1 1/2, Freq 10-20K Chan separation 28db, output vol 4.4. How would this compare to these new cartridges 110 or 150? I don't really hear the differences on these comparisons with headphone or thru the lap top itself. Just wondering?
@Armmaggeddon thank you for replying. No doesnt seem so. But i did find others elsewhere that helped and i got something. Very happy with what i got
Jeremy dutcher: essuwonike
Muse: Big Freeze
Clearly the MP-150 is better, but better does not always mean more musically involving.
I'd like to see the difference between the MP-500 and the MP-300.
I would rather be the difference between MP-300 and MP-150 :) I suppose the difference between MP-300 and MP-500 will be significant because the MP-500 has more advanced stylus (microline)
falto la comparacion de las dos agujas en el cuerpo del mp 200.
Put silver wires on the 110 and it will sharpen up!
I don't know the difference Are you really switching?
Would have liked to heard the 110 stylus on the 150 body.
I couldn't hear any difference, from looking at the comments it looks like I'm not alone.. Based on your other tests, the Ortofon 2M blue might be my next try.
Not worth the price difference. The 150 was very slightly more high-end frequencies than the 110. The 150 vocals was so very slightly improved over the 110. I'm lovin' my 110 and the Schitt Mani Pre
Nope, can’t hear any difference, I usually can. Splitting hairs I’m afraid
Interesting! I notice a much more profound mid-range in the 150. A little more analytic, clear, and "present." But not enough of a difference to warrant that price jump ;)
MP- 150 !!!
how do they track in comparison?
The 150 is better, I notice it on the innermost groove of very demanding vocal pieces, but the 110 was really good to start with.
Mp200 next?
Minor difference. Not worth the upgrade. Saving more money to go two steps higher.
Just a small difference get the mp110
they must have same headshell and wiring when comparing! and they don't!
Exactly as I expected and know from other comparisons. The 150 is more clear and present in general. Switching only styli does not yield successful results as the carts are tuned very specifically and the bodies do make a difference. As usual the drum hits on the last track really showed the difference in detail of the reverb.
Just to be clear though, as I understand it this is how the bodies are paired with the styli.
100 - 110 Share bodies
150 - 200 Share bodies
300 - 500 Share bodies
So switching styli between these 3 pairs of bodies should make an intended difference. Although I could be wrong.
Yes. You are correct. I can put a 200 stylus on my 150 body.
@@Audiorpheus_Vinyl It shouldnt make too much of a difference relatively speaking, since I think just the cantilever is different, boron instead of aluminium. The only difference I remember from a comparison was a little bit clearer imaging on mostly Jazz. Some say its got slightly deeper bass and more detail but I couldnt really tell.
But its what I use anyway so Im happy ;^)
What does a 200 retail for in the US by the way?
@@leon9021 actually he said the 150 is a "nude" tipped stylus while the 110 is bonded! That also makes a difference!
@@vinylcity1599 I meant the 200.
Very similar
I know this has nothing to do with the way these sound, but they look, with their stuck-on laminate logos and clunky plastic bodies, like something on a JC Penney house-brand turntable in 1970.
Haha, I actually like the look a lot. The creamy colors seem more appealing to me than the neon-esque ones I see on other brands. You are right though; that yellow is nearly identical to the stock AT cart on the Technics-made MCS-6602 sold as the JC Penny's house brand turntable.
Ha! I was shooting from the hip, but I see this series literally resembles bargain-basement AT cartridges like the AT91 that were common on house-brand turntables in the 70s. There's a kind of weird "if it looks like 70s Sears cut-rate, and smells over-priced, it has to be good!" quality to these, I admit. Tempts a guy to put on a plaid jacket, Converse all-stars, and big shades . . .
I agree but actually love the look. Reminds me of the audio technica at91. Also looks identical to the cart on my old JVC turntable from a rack system circa 1986. It was also audio technica. The Sumiko Pearl is also very similar.
@@johanncat-s007 The at91 actually can sound amazing on a decent table. I have many other more expensive carts but have mad respect for AT91 and ATVM95C.
I like the look … kind of small industrial… home spun … hand made .. hifi exotica kind of look ..
If anyone can convince my wife the price differnce is worth it I'll buy you a bottle of something nice!
Tell her the nude stylus makes the experience significantly more immersive (which it does) and that the MP-150 is getting serious while the MP-110 is just entry level. Also, and this is no bullshit, the difference is minimal after RUclips compression. In real life there is a much bigger difference and so the money is worth it.
Не слышу разницы между тушками.
В том и дело, насколько я понял если ставить иглу от 150-ой в разные тушки звук практически идентичен, а вот в своей тушке 150-я играет лучше.
Can't tell any difference 'tween any of the tests !!!
yeah, Im glad i went with 110 and saved money... i listened to them all a bunch of times and heard no difference... maybe there would be in real life without digitizing and compressing... but the 2M Blue vs the 110 was night and day differences in sound... these i couldnt hear anything
No reason to pay more
I can't hear any difference at all, my ears must be broken, going to Florida to buy some land now. bye
You guys down bellow it seems to me that you do not know what to look for in difference... Or have shitty ears. Sorry. There is a clear difference even on youtube.
80% difference will be your speakers.
O M G!