Nagaoka MP-150 vs MP-200

Previously I had a Signet TK5e for many years, which I was happy with.

@xs1137
You should ask @nandric , he’s got Signet TK-5E and better models, I’m sure you could buy NOS. Signet are better than Nagaoka in my opinion.

Signet was made by Audio-Technica, so you can look at current AT models, but ML (MicroLine) stylus is superior to E (Elliptical). 

Under consideration are the MP-200 stylus or upgraded NOS preamp tubes. :)

Actually preamp tubes can make a huge difference, I switched from modern JJ to some of the best military Telefunken ecc801s and then to cheaper but very nice Sylvania 12at7WA (Gold) and then to Matsushita 12at7WA (find in my system). NOS tubes are great when you know a particular model or brand @xs1137

And you must keep your stylus fresh, so it’s always important. However, some of those new Nagaoka styli cost like a whole new cartridge and if you owned a Signet you have to search audiogon for Signet TK-10ML and related top of the line Signet models, they are superior to any modern AT and so much better than any Nagaoka. You have to ask @nandric about his NOS Signet samples. 

There is a gentleman, Chinese I think who runs a hifi shop. His YouTube name is hifivinylnews. He does a lot of cartridge comparisons and likes Nagaoka.

You trust some Chinese communist who runs a hi-fi shop? Who cares what he likes, he’s not even an audiogon member ... @mr_m

Seriously, China is notorious for counterfeit products and grey market dealers.

@chakster

Well comrade, while we are airing our "dirty laundry" I’m at least willing to give that gentleman the benefit of the doubt. I have done my own comparisons and have found the Nagaoka’s to be of good quality if not Sota. You dismiss them as just do much junk.

This an entry level cartridge, just like any classic Shure, Ortofon, Grado at this price, nothing special. Just a basic cartridge from a very old brand you can trust @mr_m

I have used your so called recommendations such as Stanton 881S, and while they were good in their day I feel the Nagaoka’s are better and what I remember of stylus wear, the Stanton’s were certainly no better.

Did I ever mention Stanton in this topic anywhere?
I recommended to the OP to ask my buddy Nordic about SIGNET cartridges, he’s got some. And I believe we don’t need your Chinese chap approval on TV, right ?

P.S. Regarding Stanton 881s (if you’re so concerned) I always posted an article from T.A.S. magazine. According to the article It was an official monitoring cartridge on cutting lathe of Mr. Doug Sax at Sheffield Lab in the 80s. He is the guy who mastered some of the most famous albums including the 12th album of Pink Floyd. When you cut a lacquer you need a cartridge to playback it right from the cutting lathe, so there was a Stanton 881s when Mr. Doug Sax played his master cut to make sure everything is OK. I trust industry professionals.

The Chinese Communist Party is the founding and sole governing party of the People’s Republic of China.

Chinese is nationality, ask @mr_m why he has no clue who is his favorite online reviewer.

My joke doesn’t work if the reviewer is from Singapore, indeed. But it doesn’t make an entry level Nagaoka PM100,110,200 any better!

I was born in Soviet Union, but communism crashed here in 1991.

As mentioned, my longtime cart was a Signet, which I was pleased with. The Naga MP-150 is different...the top end seems somewhat rolled off compared to what I’m accustomed to, though I am hearing at least as much detail, and I enjoy everything else about it. I was hoping to get a general idea of what, if any, difference the MP-200 stylus would bring. Otherwise I suppose I just have to figure out whose house sound I prefer, Naga or AT. :)

I’m pretty sure AT’s MicroLine stylus tip (available with Signet carts too) is the best you can get over a plain Elliptical of Nagaoka MP-200 (so you will not get much improvement with stylus replacement for your Nag).

Signet (made by AT) is pretty much high-end, especially models with Beryllium cantilevers (and ML styli).

Beryllium is no longer available for ANY cartridge manufacturers today!

There was a thread on Audiogon quite a while ago in which a former engineer from Audio Technica was participating. He wrote a rather in depth post as to why Beryllium was the go to material for cantilevers and the panic that ensued at AT when the EPA came down with the order that it no longer be used due to the dangerous toxic dust released when machining the material. He stated that the engineering department underwent a lot of R&D to find a suitable replacement material and Boron was what they determined would be closest, however it was still a compromise. Apparently Beryllium allows for the largest frequency excursion without distortion and also permits better channel separation and signal to noise ratios. This is why it was so good.

MicroLine (or Micro Ridge) is truly a high-quality stylus that enables enhanced performance and high-fidelity sound reproduction. Carefully-selected, natural octahedral single crystal diamond is precisely processed after determining the exact crystal axis. The ML stylus has a micro curvature radius that picks up the smallest signals and plays them back. The belt-like (microline) contact shape has a uniform, few-micron width and suitable height. Audio-Technica invented the MicroLine stylus shape.

P.S. My personal favorite is the AT-ML180 OCC cartridge, it was top of the line MM cartridge in the 80’s and was available till the late 90’s. Top Signet models must be very close to this reference AT. However, they are way out of your budget, so this is why I recommend you to ask our member @nandric for his lower priced Signet (NOS) before it’s too late! As far as I know he's got the same  Signet TK5e you're using, but NOS.

Namiki patented it in 1983.

It was MicroRidge 

@xs1137 Nanrdic is using LOMC cartridges only, but believe me when he bought those NOS Signet they were mentioned so often in MM thread here on audiogon by so many different users, you can simply search the audiogon forum and you will find all the information. Some people will tell you that Signet top models are the best MM cartridges ever made, I never tried the best Signet, but I love the best Audio-Technica from the same era (but they are over $2k NOS). If your budget is $300 I bet you can choose one of those inexpensive models Nandric has.

You can trust all those made by AT:

-Signet
-Precept

Use any of these key words and search audiogon forum, some people are crazy about those cartridges.