Nagaoka MP-150 vs MP-200

@chakster 

Just because you were born in the former Soviet Union does not make your sweeping generalities that all Chinese nationals are communists or support the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) true.  There is a lot of dissent towards the CCP both inside and outside mainland China.  There are also a LOT of Chinese outside of China and the significant majority of them do not support the CCP. Would be wonderful if we can keep someone's nationality or politics out of our audio discussion as I just don't see why it matters.

@mr_m 

Your inability to accurately articulate someone's ethnicity or nationality is totally understandable.  Yet, I don't see it as being racist. Regardless, I don't really care what someone's ethnicity or nationality is.  I just care about their knowledge of the subject matter at hand.  No harm done by you as far as I am concerned !!!

Thanks to all that shared their experience. I realize the only sure way to evaluate is to try in my system, but since I don’t have a removable head shell, it’s kind of a PITA to set up the carts properly multiple times. 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 sure whichever you choose, you will be happy. Enjoy the journey!

Cheers,

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.

Dear chakster, This member wrote to me asking questions about
Signet carts. I own 6 of them among which also TK 5 Ea. I told
him what I know as well that my are for sell. I deed not mention
any price. But I heard never again from him. He is probably
only pretending t be interested.