Nagaoka MP-500 Phono Cartridge

Line-contact diamond, boron cantilever, and machined aluminum frame

The Nagaoka MP-500 combines the company's Moving Permalloy generator with a boron cantilever and line-contact diamond stylus. A machined aluminum frame gives the generator and suspension a rigid mechanical foundation, while the replaceable stylus and 3 mV output retain the practical advantages associated with the MP series.

The line-contact stylus is the MP-500's defining difference from the MP-300 below it, providing a longer groove contact and fine tracing profile for retrieving high-frequency information with low distortion.

Moving Permalloy Generator

MP stands for Moving Permalloy. Instead of attaching a comparatively heavy magnet to the rear of the cantilever, Nagaoka uses a lightweight piece of magnetically permeable permalloy while the magnet and coils remain stationary in the cartridge body.

The reduced moving mass allows the cantilever to respond freely to small groove modulations while producing enough output for a conventional MM phonostage.

Line-Contact Diamond

The MP-500 uses a line-contact diamond rather than the elliptical profiles fitted to the MP-300 and lower models. Its narrow tracing surface follows short-wavelength groove modulation accurately, while its elongated contact with the groove wall distributes tracking force over a larger area.

Boron Cantilever

Boron combines very high stiffness with low mass, allowing the cantilever to transmit stylus movement to the generator with minimal flexure. This is particularly useful for preserving small, rapid groove movements traced by the line-contact diamond.

Machined Aluminum Frame

The MP-500 uses a machined aluminum frame rather than relying solely on a molded cartridge structure. The rigid metal assembly provides a stable mechanical reference for the generator and suspension.

Replaceable Stylus

The matching replacement stylus is the Nagaoka JN-P500, retaining the line-contact diamond and boron cantilever.

What's Included

• MP-500 cartridge
• Stylus guard
• Mounting screws, washers, and nuts
• Non-magnetic screwdriver

Specifications

Type: Moving Permalloy stereo cartridge

Mounting: 1/2 in.

Stylus: Line-contact diamond

Cantilever: Boron

Output Voltage (At 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec): 3 mV

Frequency Response: 20 Hz–25 kHz

Channel Separation (At 1 kHz): 27 dB

Channel Balance (At 1 kHz): ≤1 dB

Dynamic Compliance (At 100 Hz): 8.5 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne

Vertical Tracking Force: 1.3–1.8 g

Load Resistance: 47 kΩ

Load Capacitance: 100 pF

Frame: Machined aluminum

Replacement Stylus: JN-P500

Weight: 7.8 g