Nagaoka - MP-150H MP Series Phono Cartridge with Headshell

The MP-150 — nude elliptical diamond, hardened tapered aluminium cantilever — supplied factory-mounted and aligned on a Nagaoka headshell.

The cartridge is the standalone MP-150 unchanged. Two things separate it from the models below: the diamond is mounted nude rather than bonded to a metal shank, cutting mass at the very tip, and the cantilever is a hardened, tapered aluminium alloy that stiffens at the root while staying light at the end that has to move. Nagaoka describes the result as a tight, bouncing sound with wide-band power.

The H version adds the mounting work. Cartridge alignment in the shell — overhang, zenith, azimuth, two small screws at an awkward angle — is done at the factory. On a turntable with a removable SME-style headshell you fit the shell, set tracking force, and play.

Tracking force, anti-skate and any arm-specific overhang setting still want checking during setup. Total weight with the headshell is 16.5 g.

Features

• MP-150 cartridge factory-mounted on a genuine Nagaoka headshell
• Fits any tonearm with a standard removable SME-style headshell connector
• 0.4 × 0.7 mil nude elliptical diamond on a hardened tapered aluminium-alloy cantilever
• 4.5 mV output into a standard 47 kΩ moving magnet input
• 24 dB channel separation; 1.5 dB channel balance
• User-replaceable stylus assembly — genuine Nagaoka JN-P150
• Repeated winner of the Japanese VGP award in the Pure Audio category

Specifications

• Type: MP (Moving Permalloy) stereo cartridge, pre-mounted on a headshell
• Output Voltage: 4.5 mV at 5 cm/sec
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
• Channel Separation: 24 dB at 1 kHz
• Channel Balance: 1.5 dB or less
• Stylus: 0.4 × 0.7 mil nude elliptical diamond
• Cantilever: Hardened tapered aluminium alloy
• Tracking Force: 1.5 – 2.0 g
• Load Resistance: 47 kΩ
• Load Capacitance: 100 pF
• Total Weight with Headshell: 16.5 g (Nagaoka; the US dealer price list rounds this to 16 g)
• Cartridge Weight Alone: 6.5 g
• Replacement Stylus: Nagaoka JN-P150
• Fitting: Standard removable SME-style headshell connector
• Origin: Made in Japan
• Note: Tracking force, overhang and other tonearm-specific settings should still be checked during setup