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Nagaoka M-110 static discharge issue?

I have read that the Nagaoka MP-110 in certain environments tends to exhibit static discharge while playing an LP. Living in the northeast where relative humidity can dip to high 30s even with in-house humidification causes some concern regarding this behavior.

Practically speaking it seems like the perfect match for my system and preferences. I prefer musicality and warmth over pure accuracy. My process for preparing LPs for playing include a one-time wash utilizing a Humminguru EZ, and pre-play cleaning with an Audioquest Gold brush.

If there truly is an issue with static discharge my alternative is the Ortofon 2M Blue. To provide some context the turn table is a Kenwood KD-2055, amp is a Advance Paris X-i75 bi-amped into a Velodyne VA-1250x 80 Hz high pass filter, then biwired to Paradigm Studio 20 v2. The music tends to be mostly 60s, 70s and early 80s folk rock, soft rock and some rock and classical.

I would appreciate your thoughts on whether there is real risk of popping and such, which clearly will interfere with the listening experience. In addition, in your opinion is the Ortofon 2M Blue a good match for my music tastes and system. Thank you.

hifi-105
hifi-105 OP
17 posts
 

Thanks for the reply; that is reassuring.

I am intrigued with your comment regarding perhaps aiming higher - what would you suggest keeping in mind I am mostly interested musicality warmth warmth. I am less interested in pure accuracy if that makes sense.

Thank you  : )

lewm
14,650 posts
 

I think the very idea is preposterous. For there to be a static discharge, there would have to be a build up of charge in the cartridge, presumably during play. Why would the MP110, in particular among all Nagaoka MP cartridges, be subject to such a phenomenon?  

lewm
14,650 posts
 

MP200, 300, or 500 would be aiming higher. From what I can tell each step up in specs and cost does get you incrementally better performance.

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