Nagaoka MP-500 vs Hana SL vs Nagaoka MP-300 — Anyone heard at least two of these?

And if so, how would you characterize the differences (especially tonally)? Don’t be afraid to go into a little detail, or to list some of your associated equipment (like phonostage).

Asking for a couple of guys in another thread who are looking to cart upgrade soon. Thanks mucho.
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Thanks! Would love to hear the responses

 

I’ve heard the MP-300 and MP-500.

For me the MP-300 is absolutely magic. I prefer it to the 500. It retains the signature Nag sound with absolutely mesmerizing instrument definition.

The 500 maybe I will try again one day, but something about it seemed like the house sound that I love from Nagaoka wasn’t quite there. The whole sound is neutral but somehow a bit “jacked up” for lack of a better way of putting it. Maybe it’s just me.

I actually think the MP-200 is right up there with the MP-300. The 200 has just a touch more “air” to it but they are very, very close.

Hana I have been very reluctant about. Ian on YouTube has been spot on with all his reviews in terms of aligning to my taste. His review of the EL was concerning to me.

 

Sidenote: Economically-speaking, one does not really have to ‘choose’ between an MP-300 and MP-500, as they share the same body… a simple stylus module swap turns a 300 into a 500, and vice versa.

IOW, it’s not huge added money to ‘own both’.
Example: Here’s current CDJapan prices (about the best you’ll see admittedly, and not including shipping):

Full MP-300: $500
Full MP-500: $600
MP-300 stylus: $150
MP-500 stylus: $200

So, if you got a full MP300 cart, and then an MP500 stylus, that’s $700 (plus shipping)… aka for $100 more than a full MP500, you own both a 300 and a 500.

Just sayin’… it’s kinda cool they did it that way.
Ortofon Bronze/Black is a similar type of deal (except that Orty charges a lot for their stylus modules… ).

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Won’t a 500 stylus also fit a 200 or 150 body? Not officially supported but it does work, if I’m understanding correctly.

 

yep it fits and works pretty nice too. it retains some characteristic of the mp200 while having much better tracking ability.

 

Appreciate the information!

 

Does work from what multiple ppl have posted. Kinda doubt it sounds 100% as good as a 500 stylus on a 300/500 body (aka what Naga intended).

HOWEVER, some ppl really do like the ‘hybrid’ sound of a 500 stylus on a 150/200 body, YMMV. I haven’t heard one yet.

(Note: The cart bodies get better as you move up the line, just like the styli and other parts do. 300 and 500 use same body).
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So the difference in specifications between the 300 and the 500 are due to the stylus?

 

Mostly, IIRC. Though you do note some modest differences in things like compliance spec, which implies a different suspension too (though the stylus is attached to the cantilever which is attached to the suspension).

Maybe a more correct answer is ‘the stylus plus whatever else fits in the replacement stylus module’.
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Haven’t heard those two Nags but have yet to hear an MM cart that can compete with a decent MC cart when it comes to tracking and treble detail.

The $600 Sumiko Amethyst, for example, falls a good deal short of the Hana SL in those regards. An M97xe with Jico SAS stylus get a bit closer but still can’t track as well.

 

Have an MP200 and an MP 300. Have heard an MP500 but cannot comment as was only a brief listen and not on my gear so not really good to comment on that. The MP200 is a significant upgrade to the MP150 for not a massive extra in cost about 30% whereas the jump from MP200 to MP300 is some 50% Uk pricing.
Frankly the MP200 is near as damn it as good as an MP300, to my ears anyway. I would not mind a long listening session with an MP500 but doubt it will happen. Phono stage is either inbuilt one in my Music Fidelity MS3i or using the Rothwell Rialto MM/MC box. Jury still out as to which I prefer. I got one of my daughters to bring me an MP200
back from Japan when she was over there a while ago. Hell of a lot cheaper than buying in UK where Nagaoka prices have gone into orbit compared to a couple of years ago.

 

Interesting. Can you expand on this?

(btw, dig your Rega Planar 8)

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I believe you, but Nagas are MI.

As seem to be many of the best non-MC carts… MP-500, Goldring 2500, various Soundsmiths, various Grados.
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Hi! I’m curious about a couple things in your comment here-have you heard/compared the Hana SL to the Amethyst to come to that conclusion? Or is that based on comparing reviews? Also-have you heard any of the Nahs or Soundsmith carts that are MI (not MM)?

it seems a lot of people agree that MC carts are superior in many ways to MM…but that MI can bridge that gap.

thanks!

 

haha! Just said the same thing before reading your reply

 

Can’t speak for most of those but I do know the Hana SL is a much better cartridge than the Soundsmith Carmen.

I think the Hana is very difficult to beat below $1K, though I’m biased. In my system it tracks everything beautifully and is superbly balanced without ever sounding analytical.

 

Yes, I bought the Amethyst a couple years ago from MD through Amazon. It had some nice qualities and I thought it was a very good cart until I swapped the Hana back into the system. There is just no comparison. The Hana is better from top to bottom. Luckily I was able to return the Amethyst.

 

Will try to explain a bit more without all the wiffle waffle that seems apt in reviews of equipment. Only real difference I note between the 300 and the 200 is that the 300 has, again to my ears, a slightly wider soundstage and frankly that is
about it. Possibly the bass a bit more in ones face, but is so minimal I might be imagining it. Instruments seem to be in the exact same place on both cartridges. I should point out I always set tracking weight at the top end of the manufacturers range. Glad you like my P8 better pic attached.

 

Closer up pic.
wind waker wallpaper

 

Thanks, that is helpful. And I think you avoided the flowery prose and ‘wiffle waffle’ of many modern equipment reviews. Also no comparisons to wine, sports cars, or expensive vacation spots either… well done.

On the Planar 8 — used to dislike ‘skeletal’ TT designs, but now I think the 8 is probably the best-looking Rega in the whole lineup. Go figure.
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Looks great! Just curious…when you tried non Rega carts like the Nagaoka’s…did you use shims under the tonearm? I’d like to give it a try on my RP8, but not too thrilled about messing w/ shims…hoping to go without.

 

I have used shims as I got a set of these unused off Ebay at a great price.

The Acoustic Signature Rega Spacer Set
Expensive at list price , £115 for the large set, for what they are but have the advantage you can slip them under the arm without having to remove it.

Using the Nagaokas which are 18.5mm in height compared to the Regas 14mm I used 4mm worth of shim, in this case 2 shims 1mm and 3mm. I could have used the 0,5mm shim to be precise but did not hell Im sure 0.5mm is not going to make much discernable difference, if any.
I fitted shims straight away so have no comparison to sound without shims. I went a bit over the top with fuffing about by getting a cheap digital microscope to set the SRA after watching this guy from Ortofon



As far as I can see my SRA is near enough bang on so to my mind proves that one has to just use the correct shim size and you will be near as damn it on the mark.

 

Back on-topic-ish.

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All adds to the fun of hifi chat