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Can a Nagaoka MP500 be converted to an MP700?

I am in Tokyo and considering whether to buy a new Nagaoka MP700 cartridge.  Then it occurred to me that the stylus assembly of the MP500 is replaceable as a separate item.  So I am wondering whether my MP500 can be effectively converted into an MP700 by simply replacing the JNP500 stylus with a JNP700 stylus. I do know that lesser models of the MP series can be upgraded by that approach.  I am just wondering whether the resulting chimeric cartridge would exhibit all the virtues of an MP700.  I realize not many of us are likely to have that information. But maybe....  Thanks for any response.

lewm
lewm OP
14,669 posts
 

Suspension features should come with the stylus assembly. So with the MP700 stylus you would have the pivot system and new tension wire, I would think.  On the body material and coating, you have a point for sure.  On the generator, I don't know enough (anything) about whether that is transferred with the stylus assembly. Thanks for your input, and you make some excellent points. My thumbnail estimate is that the MP700 cartridge would cost me about $1000 here; whereas the JNP700 stylus assembly would probably be about $500, if in fact I can find one for sale here.

lewm OP
14,669 posts
 

My son, the reason we are here, asked Gemini, his favorite AI.  Gemini says the JNP700 will fit the MP500 just fine, but the generator improvements of the 700 will not come along with the JNP700 stylus.  Both bodies are similar in construction except for the anti-static business with the 700. The suspension upgrades do transfer with the stylus assembly.  In summary, the JNP700 upgrades the MP500 but not quite to the level of the MP700.

dekay's avatar
dekay
6,184 posts
 

I would purchase the "complete" 700 (for the price of the 500 in the USA - per your post) and then sort out exchanging the styli later as you already have the 500 body.

I'm frugal, but I also like backups @ a good price.

 

DeKay

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,970 posts
 

I would not buy either and use that money to buy a better overall cart. For the cost of a MP700 you can get into some nice MC carts. I have an MP500 and was never overly impressed with it, not as good as the similarly priced Hana SL or ML, Ortofon black, Sumiko songbird, AT various, etc. Granted you have an MC phono stage.

In Tokyo there are so many options that are better than the Nagaoka carts, I would recommend looking around a little more. You may find one of Audio Technica’s for a deal. Of course, this is my opinion, and others may have other suggestions.  

viridian's avatar
viridian
5,786 posts
 

Lew, congrats. Great position to be in.

IMHO, the Nagaokas are great, cost of long term ownership is low as the stylii generally cost well less than half the price of the whole cartridge. If going Nag, I would bite the bullet for a new 700.

Another point, these are quite higher compliance than most MCs so one may work with a given tonearm, and one may not.

If in Japan, the Phasemation PP-200 is a honey of a MC cartridge at a very reasonable price.

Good luck, Lew.

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