Nagaoka MP-110 Phono Cartridge

Elliptical diamond, aluminum-alloy cantilever, and 5 mV Moving Permalloy generator

The Nagaoka MP-110 pairs the company's Moving Permalloy generator with a 0.4 × 0.7 mil bonded elliptical diamond stylus. It is the successor to Nagaoka's long-running MP-11 and combines a replaceable stylus, standard MM-compatible output, and elliptical groove tracing in a lightweight 6.5 g cartridge.

Its 5 mV output allows the MP-110 to connect directly to a conventional MM phonostage, while the moving-permalloy generator reduces the mass carried at the rear of the cantilever compared with a conventional moving-magnet design.

Moving Permalloy Generator

In a conventional MM cartridge, a small magnet moves with the cantilever between stationary coils. Nagaoka's Moving Permalloy system instead places a much lighter piece of magnetically permeable permalloy at the rear of the cantilever, while the magnet and coils remain fixed in the cartridge body.

The reduction in moving mass allows the stylus and cantilever to respond more freely to groove modulation. At the same time, the generator retains the practical high output of an MM cartridge, allowing the MP-110 to operate from a standard 47 kΩ phono input.

0.4 × 0.7 Mil Elliptical Stylus

The MP-110 uses a bonded 0.4 × 0.7 mil elliptical diamond rather than the conical profile of the MP-100. Its narrower tracing radius allows the stylus to follow shorter-wavelength groove modulation more accurately, improving the retrieval of high-frequency information while maintaining relatively straightforward setup and alignment.

The diamond is mounted to an aluminum-alloy cantilever, providing a durable and low-mass moving system suitable for a wide range of records and tonearms.

High Output and Standard Loading

Nagaoka specifies an output of 5 mV at 5 cm/sec, making the MP-110 compatible with typical MM phonostage gain. Recommended loading is 47 kΩ with 100 pF capacitance.

The cartridge tracks between 1.5 and 2 g and weighs 6.5 g, making it straightforward to accommodate on many conventional tonearms.

Replaceable Stylus

The stylus assembly can be replaced independently of the cartridge body. The matching replacement is the Nagaoka JN-P110, which retains the aluminum-alloy cantilever and 0.4 × 0.7 mil bonded elliptical diamond.

What's Included

• MP-110 cartridge
• Stylus guard
• Mounting screws, washers, and nuts
• Non-magnetic screwdriver

Specifications

Type: Moving Permalloy stereo cartridge

Mounting: 1/2 in.

Stylus: 0.4 × 0.7 mil bonded elliptical diamond

Cantilever: Aluminum alloy

Output Voltage (At 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec): 5 mV

Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz

Channel Separation (At 1 kHz): 23 dB

Channel Balance (At 1 kHz): ≤1.5 dB

Dynamic Compliance (At 100 Hz): 6 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne

Vertical Tracking Force: 1.5–2 g

Load Resistance: 47 kΩ

Load Capacitance: 100 pF

Replacement Stylus: JN-P110

Weight: 6.5 g