{"product_id":"nagaoka-mp-500-mp-series-phono-cartridge","title":"Nagaoka - MP-500 MP Series Phono Cartridge","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA line-contact diamond on boron in a machined aluminium frame — for years the top of the MP series, and still the model Nagaoka calls its representative cartridge.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe MP-500 is the first cartridge in the range to leave elliptical profiles behind. A line-contact diamond presents a long, narrow contact flank to the groove wall rather than a rounded one, sitting deeper and following high-frequency modulation that an elliptical tip physically rides over. It also spreads the tracking load across more of the wall, which is easier on the record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNagaoka's own description is about clarity rather than warmth: it calls the sound-making clear, says there is almost no sense of distortion, and reaches for the image of standing on the conductor's podium. The company adds a caveat worth repeating — the MP-500 shows what it can do in combination with a good amplifier and speakers. This is a cartridge that reveals the system around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe generator sits in a machined aluminium frame with the same boron cantilever as the models below. Channel separation is the highest Nagaoka publishes for the series at 27 dB, channel balance is inside 1.0 dB, and response reaches 25 kHz. Output is 3 mV into 47 kΩ with 100 pF, tracking at a light 1.3 to 1.8 g. The stylus assembly is user-replaceable with the genuine JN-P500. The MP-500 has been a repeat winner of the Japanese VGP award in the Pure Audio category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLine-contact diamond — deeper groove contact and lower record wear than an elliptical profile\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoron cantilever in a machined aluminium frame\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e27 dB channel separation — the highest Nagaoka publishes for the MP series\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChannel balance inside 1.0 dB; response to 25 kHz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3 mV output into a standard 47 kΩ moving magnet input\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLight 1.3 – 1.8 g tracking force\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUser-replaceable stylus assembly — genuine Nagaoka JN-P500\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlso available pre-mounted on a Nagaoka headshell as the MP-500H\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e MP (Moving Permalloy) stereo cartridge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutput Voltage:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 mV at 5 cm\/sec\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency Response:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 Hz – 25,000 Hz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChannel Separation:\u003c\/strong\u003e 27 dB at 1 kHz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChannel Balance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.0 dB or less\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Line-contact diamond\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCantilever:\u003c\/strong\u003e Boron\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody:\u003c\/strong\u003e Machined aluminium frame\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTracking Force:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.3 – 1.8 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLoad Resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 47 kΩ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLoad Capacitance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100 pF\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCartridge Weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.8 g. Some retailer listings quote 8.0 g; 7.8 g is the figure on Nagaoka's own product page\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReplacement Stylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nagaoka JN-P500\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Half inch (1\/2\") standard mount\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn the Box:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cartridge body, stylus cover, cartridge case, accessory set (headshell mounting screws, washers, nuts, screwdriver), instruction manual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Made in Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot Published:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nagaoka does not publish a compliance figure, tracking ability, or a recommended tonearm effective mass for the MP series\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Nagaoka","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48321375174862,"sku":"4967736076425","price":949.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0558\/5027\/0926\/files\/MP-500.jpg?v=1788380129","url":"https:\/\/www.theingroove.com\/products\/nagaoka-mp-500-mp-series-phono-cartridge","provider":"The 'In' Groove","version":"1.0","type":"link"}