I use a vintage Pioneer PL-707 turntable with a Darlinton Labs MP-7 phono amp on my main rig. I listen to mostly jazz and some rock and pop. Started collecting vinyl in the 60's.
I bought the Audio Technica VM 540 after reading all the positive reviews. It is very detailed in the mids but tends to be a little too sterile for my set-up. Never tried a Nagaoka.
I like vintage cartridges and my favorite is the Stanton 681EEE using a new Vivid Line Stylus. It is money. Very smooth and detailed with better separation and more bass slam than the the VM 540. I also own and like the Shure V-15 Type III with a Jico SAS stylus but the Stanton sounds better in my system.
I bought my Stanton 681 for $85 bucks off fleabay and the new Vivid Line stylus from LP Tunes. Best cart I've heard on my mid-fi setup. Great combo on the cheap.