Replacing the stylus on a Nagaoka MP-200

[Waxy]

Hello, been pondering stocking up on a replacement stylus for my Nag, so when the time comes I don't have to wait for it to arrive via snail mail. That got me thinking, how do you replace it? Is the stylus-part simply pulled apart from the cartridge? Does the cartridge need to be removed beforehand? I hope not.

If anyone can shed any light on this, I would be grateful. *biggrin*

 

[stevebrock]

No

You will see 2 indentations on each side of the stlylus body - it just pulls off

 

[Waxy]

Thanks Steve. I guessed that was the case, but didn't want to go blundering in all ham-fisted!

 

[JohnNB]

Hi,

On a slightly different point. I'm about to get a MP200. I'm advised it would be brighter sounding than the Golding 2100 I currently use. I'm also attracted by the interchangeability between Nagaoka cartridges and stylus and thought about getting a MP110 stylus with the MP200 as a spare/back-up. Have you tried a different stylus with your cartridge?

 

[Waxy]

Afraid not - only used the stock stylus with the MP-200 so far.

 

[chebby]

Hi,

On a slightly different point. I'm about to get a MP200. I'm advised it would be brighter sounding than the Golding 2100 I currently use.

Interesting given that the Goldring 2000 series is made for Goldring by Nagaoka.

Obviously I am not saying they should sound alike because of this. Goldring design and specify their own product whoever makes it for them.

Maybe someone who has owned both might comment.

 

[stevebrock]

I ran an MP110 & MP200 on my RP6

Both brilliant cartridges - the MP200 had a Boron Cantilever and different diamond profile.

The MP200 is a super cartridge - its my spare!

 

[thescarletpronster]

I'm also attracted by the interchangeability between Nagaoka cartridges and stylus and thought about getting a MP110 stylus with the MP200 as a spare/back-up.

If getting one cartridge and two styli, I'd suggest making sure the cartridge is from the better of the two styli, i.e. installing a MP-200 cartridge and then putting a MP-110 stylus on to that cartridge if you want it. The reason being is that there might be improvements in the cartridge part in the MP-200, which means that if you had an MP-110 cartdridge and put an MP-200 stylus onto it, you might not get such good results as with the MP-200 cartridge.

Please note that this is just my assumption - I've not yet used Nagaoka cartridges and have no expert knowledge about this whatever.

 

[daytona600]

MP300 Body also takes the MP500 Stylus

 

[JohnNB]

I heard about Goldring & Nagaoka coming from the same stable, but have decided to upgrade to the MP200 regardless after lots of recommendations (a lot on this site). I got the Golding to upgrade an old Ortofon based on the What Hi Fi review, but was really disappointed. It lacked sparkle compared to the much cheaper Ortofon. It's been mentioned in this forum before about the difficulty in auditioning cartridges, so I've gone ahead and ordered the MP200 as an act of faith (in the Hi Fi Forum!)

 

[JohnNB]

Exactly my thinking scarletpronster. I'll get a MP110 spare stylus with the MP200 cartridge. I will then be able to protect the more expensive MP200 stylus from my most damaged vinyl and use the more expensive stylus for the few mint condition records I have. It will also be interesting to compare the sound. The dealer put me off this plan by the way - but they would wouldn't they!!

 

[CJSF]

Exactly my thinking scarletpronster. I'll get a MP110 spare stylus with the MP200 cartridge. I will then be able to protect the more expensive MP200 stylus from my most damaged vinyl and use the more expensive stylus for the few mint condition records I have. It will also be interesting to compare the sound. The dealer put me off this plan by the way - but they would wouldn't they!!

I would tend to go along with the dealer on this one, seems a bit pointless, is your vinyl that bad, (or is it the curent worn stylus/cartridge that is causing the problem). How many discs, worth getting them cleaned with the extra money . . . ? or be selective on what you play and put the extra money to the next catridge up, better sound over all??? The sound improvement might encourage a cleaning program?

 

[stevebrock]

yep invest in Knosti Anti- Stat cleaner and invest time cleaning those records.

the MP200 is a lovely cartridge

 

[JohnNB]

I take your point about cleaning vinyl, but some of my old stuff is clean, but pretty scratcy after years of abuse and I haven't been able to find replacements - Burnt Weeny Sandwich, Frank Zappa, 1970 for instance, played almost to death on some heavy tracking turntables. The stylus for the MP110 is only around 50 quid, so could use it in the MP200 for the recommended 30 hours burning in if for nothing else.