Nagaoka New Flagship MP-700 Moving Permalloy Cartridge
All Image Credit: Nagaoka
Nagaoka is celebrating its 85 years of cartridge manufacturing, by releasing the flagship Nagaoka MP-700 Moving Permalloy (MP) cartridge. This design differs from conventional Moving Magnet (MM) cartridges by using a lightweight piece of permalloy attached to the cantilever, rather than a magnet, which reduces moving mass and improves performance.
The design uses a boron cantilever and micro-ridge nude diamond stylus, measuring 0.12 x 0.3 mil. that is coupled with a particularly soft damper to maximize the stylus’s responsiveness. The supporting redesigned pivot, features a newly integrated suspension wire that according to Nagaoka; improves stability and control of the cantilever, enhancing clarity, stereo separation, and the accuracy of bass and treble reproduction.
The body of the MP-700 is built from ultra-duralumin that aids in its shielding, with its triple-layer treatment of nickel plating, black tin plating, and an insulating coat all helping to minimize static interference and improve durability.
What Makes MP Cartridges Special?
- MP cartridges are a high-quality alternative to MM, often offering a more natural sound and lower stylus mass, which benefits groove tracking.
- They still retain the practical advantages of MM cartridges (high output voltage, easy stylus replacement).
- When combined with high-quality styli (e.g. boron cantilever, elliptical, Fine Line, or Shibata), they can perform at MC level without the typical downsides (e.g. fixed stylus, low output, higher cost).
Specifications:
- Type: MP (Moving Permalloy, for MM input)
- Output: 4.0mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec)
- Frequency Response: 20-27,000Hz
- Channel Separation: 30 dB at 1kHz
- Load Resistance: 47KΩ
- Load Capacity: 100pF
- Cantilever: boron
- Head shell included: 26.3g (H version)
- Cartridge weight: 8.0g
- Needle tip: Microridge Solid Diamond
- Recommended needle pressure: 1.4 g
- Package Contents: Cartridge body, needle cover, cartridge case, accessory set (shell mounting screws, washers, nuts, hex wrench, screwdriver), serial card, instruction manual
MSRP (MP-700):
- US: $1,399.00
- UK: £1,149.oo
- EU: €1,299.00
For more information visit the Japanese Nagaoka web site.
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