Nagaoka MP-150 Phono Cartridge

Elliptical diamond and hardened tapered aluminum-alloy cantilever

The Nagaoka MP-150 develops the company's Moving Permalloy platform with a hardened, tapered aluminum-alloy cantilever and a 0.4 × 0.7 mil elliptical diamond. Compared with the simpler aluminum cantilever used by the MP-110, the tapered and hardened structure is designed to improve rigidity while keeping moving mass under control.

Output remains a robust 4.5 mV, allowing the MP-150 to work directly into a conventional MM phonostage. Nagaoka specifies 24 dB of channel separation at 1 kHz and a tracking-force range of 1.5–2 g.

Moving Permalloy Generator

Nagaoka's MP system replaces the moving magnet of a conventional MM cartridge with a small, lightweight permalloy element attached to the rear of the cantilever. The magnetic system and coils remain stationary in the cartridge body.

Reducing moving mass allows the stylus to respond more freely to groove modulation while maintaining the high electrical output associated with an MM-compatible cartridge.

Hardened Tapered Aluminum-Alloy Cantilever

The MP-150 uses a hardened tapered aluminum-alloy cantilever rather than a simple straight aluminum tube. Tapering removes material where it is less structurally necessary, while the hardened structure improves rigidity.

Elliptical Diamond

The 0.4 × 0.7 mil elliptical diamond has a narrower tracing radius than the conical stylus fitted to the MP-100, allowing it to follow shorter-wavelength groove modulation more accurately.

4.5 mV Output

With 4.5 mV of output, the MP-150 is designed around standard MM gain and a 47 kΩ load. Nagaoka specifies 100 pF load capacitance.

Replaceable Stylus

The matching replacement stylus is the Nagaoka JN-P150.

What's Included

• MP-150 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 nude elliptical diamond

Cantilever: Hardened tapered aluminum alloy

Output Voltage (At 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec): 4.5 mV

Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz

Channel Separation (At 1 kHz): 24 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-P150

Weight: 6.5 g