Hi, this is amazing, the MP300 y is a great cart but you have a very nice sutup there too, enjoy and please keep uploading videos like this. Cheers!! PD: I have de Nagaoka MP300 with an MP500 stylus 100% compatible. The 500 fine line stylus makes a great difference, no IGD at all.
Oh hi, Paul! Long time no see, as it were - hope you're doing ok! This album is great and the Nag sure performs well with it! We must catch up via email . . .
Actually it's a 12 inch record ;o) but yes, great music. I don't know if you've seen the Swedish/Danish TV series The Bridge (Bron/Broen) - well "Almost" has a similar vibe for me as the theme tune ("Hollow Talk" by Choir Of Young Believers). Scandi-Noir music! Lol!
Awesome music Bob, love it! And the sound is so good, too! The Nagaoka sounds warm but agile at the same time. May i ask you what kind of mat are you using on your Kenwood?
Hi Rui - I love all of Beady Belle's albums, but only have this one on vinyl unfortunately, and yes, the Naga was a good buy - the lower mass of MI over MM has many benefits. As for the mat, well, I put a suede leather mat on top of the stock Kenwood rubber mat as quick means of tweaking the VTA on the MP-300 (TBH I can't really hear a difference!), but from time to time I swap mats around for a change. Currently on the Kenwood is the red leather mat on top of a Sound Dead Steel Isoplatmat; I'll probably do my next video with this. The Kenwood mat has relocated to my PTP deck for the moment, though I'm thinking about a glass platter for that.
Rui, ahora que mencionas el asunto de las alfombrillas, realmente crees que esto inside en algo?Yo he probado todo tipo de materiales,desde naturales hasta sintéticos. Incluso una vez experimenté con un disco de metal para ver que tanto influía en el sonido.Pues no he notado nada perceptible....
Bob Wood I read something about the Sound Dead Steel Isoplatmat. From what i understood, it works in a similar way as the Achromat mat - converting mechanical energy into heat. You mean a glass platter for the PTP turntable? i wouldn't imagine that it would be possible to put a glass platter on a idler drive TT. Do you expect a significant improvement with a glass platter? Hello Roberto Yes, from my experience different mats produce difference sound results. Most of the times, the differences are subtle but significant, (no, it's not placebo, eh eh) although not always for the better. I also tried different materials, most of them humble and homemade, like cork. Almost two years ago i tried the Achromat mat with 5 mm thickness on my direct-drive turntable, and i was impressed with the results. Metallic platters are prone to resonances, and the highs were harsh and agressive. The Achromat tamed those excesses. Currently, i also use a 3 mm version of the Achromat on my Rega TT, which has a glass platter. However, there is one or another record on my collection that i prefer to hear with a simple and humble felt mat.
La pruebas que he mencionado no las hice con mi anterior tornamesa, la AT 120 LP Modificado que siempre has visto en mis videos, su plato es totalmente metálico y la única amortiguación que existe está en las patas del chasis. Ahora cuento con un technics 1200 , aunque de apariencia similar a su clon, el plato es significativamente diferente del lado posterior y es bastante mas pesado.Tiene una goma muy gruesa en toda la superficie de unos 5mm y sobre todo el perímetro un recubrimiento del mismo material pero de 1 cm de espesor aproximadamente . Es probable que este material, tipo caucho absorba todas esas resonancias que no escucho con una simple alfombrilla.Las resonancias también pueden transmitirse mejor o peor ,dependiendo del metal en cuestión. Además hay que tener en cuenta la calidad de los cartuchos. A veces uno se queja de los precios y sólo nos detenemos en la aguja dejando de lado que la robustéz de todo el conjunto tiene esa función.Es probable que mis ortofon's resulten lo que valen. Sería interesante que pudiéras grabar una pista con distintas alfombrillas y oír que tan diferente es el sonido y pubicarlo. Hay otro factor importantísimo y es la percepción. No escuchamos igual todos los días ni siqueira en todas las horas. Lo que en un momento puede sonar fatigoso puede sonar adecuado cuando estamos receptivos. Las condiciones ambientales, como la humedad y la presión del aire hacen que el sonido llegue a nuestros oídos de forma diferente. A veces enciendo mi equipo y me digo........ que le pasa a este cacharro que se escucha como la mierda!...y resulta que al siguiente día me suena glorioso, especialmente en la zona de altas frecuencias. Saludos!
Part of the attraction of this as a hobby is trying out new "tweaks" in the quest for that elusive sound quality, I think, and mats are a relatively inexpensive item to experiment with! I mentioned a glass mat for my PTP not a glass platter. It may be possible to machine a glass platter for a Lenco drive but I don't know if the demand for that would be big. Would there be a significant improvement with a glass mat? Who knows? But it would be fun finding out!
Yes, it's a good sound! TBH this cart is as expensive as some MCs so it should sound ok ;o) I think the moving iron construction helps as there's less mass hanging off the cantilever than with a MM. Unless you're into exotica a good MM/MI can easily hold its own in SQ stakes given a good phono amp IMO.
1200G doesn’t give such “familiar” and alive sound. This keeps Kenwood price high. I think Technics tonearm is just to have something, and 1200G price went to a turntable itself. I could be wrong
Great sound! I use the Novation Audiohub 2X4 USB audio interface for recording to my computer. I found using a USB interface is the only way to go. You're the only other person I've seen list one in their setup.
Lets put it the simple way .... Some cheaper cartridges have great balance but extract less information .... Expensive cartridges often have great information retrieval but lack balance .. This one has both ..... In past decades i often experienced when upgrading ....to often you gain performance and you lose something essential to the balance of music ......Nagaoka and some others got it wright ....
Me gusta el sonido y la música...no sé que tipo de aguja lleva este cartucho, en cualquier caso estoy seguro de que el prensado es bueno también. SALUDOS!
Thanks for your comment. I've never heard an MP-200 but I would imagine it shares the same characteristics as the 300. But I've no idea quite how close they are. My feeling is that a 200 would be a bit of a sideways step (in absolute terms) from the Grado, but you may prefer the sound of the Nagaoka. I don't suppose this really helps, does it!? ;o)
I appreciate the really good sound but I thinks we shouldn't forget that our primary goal is to listen to the MUSIC! On a good equipment, of course. Or am I wrong?
Having used both, would you say you have a preference? I’m looking to upgrade and these two are the ones I’m looking at. If I got the EL i’d also need to pickup an SUT, so I’m leaning towards the Nagaoka. Would love to hear your opinion.
Well. I'd probably just come down in favour of the EL, but it would be a close run thing. The EL would edge it on detail, but maybe lose out on (for want of a better word) "warmth". Not that the EL is lean sounding at all. These are things you'd probably not worry about unless you heard them back to back. As far as an SUT goes, I don't use one! The Graham Slee Elevator EXP solid state step up ticks all the boxes for me. Not being an SUT it doesn't need to take power from the minute signal coming off the record. But if you go with the Nag that wouldn't be an issue of course. And you can replace the stylus on the Nag. In the end personal preferences come into it, and either cartridge is a good buy!
I think I’ll go with the Nagaoka this time. Warm easy listening is what I’m after over all out detail. And it’s one of the reasons I was drawn to the Nag. I like that I can add the 500 stylus too for more detail.
Hi, this is amazing, the MP300 y is a great cart but you have a very nice sutup there too, enjoy and please keep uploading videos like this. Cheers!! PD: I have de Nagaoka MP300 with an MP500 stylus 100% compatible. The 500 fine line stylus makes a great difference, no IGD at all.
beautiful sound!!! interesting music!!!
Hey Bob! Love this sound. Midrange vocals just amazing. Thanks for the listen :-)
Oh hi, Paul! Long time no see, as it were - hope you're doing ok! This album is great and the Nag sure performs well with it! We must catch up via email . . .
For sure Bob!
Be in touch
Have a great weekend 😊
10 inch 45 RPM records are cool! Good music. "Almost" is such a nice relaxing track.
Actually it's a 12 inch record ;o) but yes, great music. I don't know if you've seen the Swedish/Danish TV series The Bridge (Bron/Broen) - well "Almost" has a similar vibe for me as the theme tune ("Hollow Talk" by Choir Of Young Believers). Scandi-Noir music! Lol!
Bob Wood Thank you. It kinda looked like a 10 inch record. But I haven't seen the series :--/
Marvelous!
Mir gefällt diese bezaubernde Stimme.
Awesome music Bob, love it!
And the sound is so good, too! The Nagaoka sounds warm but agile at the same time.
May i ask you what kind of mat are you using on your Kenwood?
Hi Rui - I love all of Beady Belle's albums, but only have this one on vinyl unfortunately, and yes, the Naga was a good buy - the lower mass of MI over MM has many benefits. As for the mat, well, I put a suede leather mat on top of the stock Kenwood rubber mat as quick means of tweaking the VTA on the MP-300 (TBH I can't really hear a difference!), but from time to time I swap mats around for a change. Currently on the Kenwood is the red leather mat on top of a Sound Dead Steel Isoplatmat; I'll probably do my next video with this. The Kenwood mat has relocated to my PTP deck for the moment, though I'm thinking about a glass platter for that.
Rui, ahora que mencionas el asunto de las alfombrillas, realmente crees que esto inside en algo?Yo he probado todo tipo de materiales,desde naturales hasta sintéticos. Incluso una vez experimenté con un disco de metal para ver que tanto influía en el sonido.Pues no he notado nada perceptible....
Bob Wood
I read something about the Sound Dead Steel Isoplatmat. From what i understood, it works in a similar way as the Achromat mat - converting mechanical energy into heat.
You mean a glass platter for the PTP turntable? i wouldn't imagine that it would be possible to put a glass platter on a idler drive TT.
Do you expect a significant improvement with a glass platter?
Hello Roberto
Yes, from my experience different mats produce difference sound results. Most of the times, the differences are subtle but significant, (no, it's not placebo, eh eh) although not always for the better.
I also tried different materials, most of them humble and homemade, like cork.
Almost two years ago i tried the Achromat mat with 5 mm thickness on my direct-drive turntable, and i was impressed with the results. Metallic platters are prone to resonances, and the highs were harsh and agressive. The Achromat tamed those excesses. Currently, i also use a 3 mm version of the Achromat on my Rega TT, which has a glass platter.
However, there is one or another record on my collection that i prefer to hear with a simple and humble felt mat.
La pruebas que he mencionado no las hice con mi anterior tornamesa, la AT 120 LP Modificado que siempre has visto en mis videos, su plato es totalmente metálico y la única amortiguación que existe está en las patas del chasis. Ahora cuento con un technics 1200 , aunque de apariencia similar a su clon, el plato es significativamente diferente del lado posterior y es bastante mas pesado.Tiene una goma muy gruesa en toda la superficie de unos 5mm y sobre todo el perímetro un recubrimiento del mismo material pero de 1 cm de espesor aproximadamente . Es probable que este material, tipo caucho absorba todas esas resonancias que no escucho con una simple alfombrilla.Las resonancias también pueden transmitirse mejor o peor ,dependiendo del metal en cuestión. Además hay que tener en cuenta la calidad de los cartuchos. A veces uno se queja de los precios y sólo nos detenemos en la aguja dejando de lado que la robustéz de todo el conjunto tiene esa función.Es probable que mis ortofon's resulten lo que valen.
Sería interesante que pudiéras grabar una pista con distintas alfombrillas y oír que tan diferente es el sonido y pubicarlo.
Hay otro factor importantísimo y es la percepción. No escuchamos igual todos los días ni siqueira en todas las horas. Lo que en un momento puede sonar fatigoso puede sonar adecuado cuando estamos receptivos. Las condiciones ambientales, como la humedad y la presión del aire hacen que el sonido llegue a nuestros oídos de forma diferente.
A veces enciendo mi equipo y me digo........ que le pasa a este cacharro que se escucha como la mierda!...y resulta que al siguiente día me suena glorioso, especialmente en la zona de altas frecuencias.
Saludos!
Part of the attraction of this as a hobby is trying out new "tweaks" in the quest for that elusive sound quality, I think, and mats are a relatively inexpensive item to experiment with! I mentioned a glass mat for my PTP not a glass platter. It may be possible to machine a glass platter for a Lenco drive but I don't know if the demand for that would be big. Would there be a significant improvement with a glass mat? Who knows? But it would be fun finding out!
sounds great bob - makes you wonder how good these mm carts can get nowadays!
Yes, it's a good sound! TBH this cart is as expensive as some MCs so it should sound ok ;o) I think the moving iron construction helps as there's less mass hanging off the cantilever than with a MM. Unless you're into exotica a good MM/MI can easily hold its own in SQ stakes given a good phono amp IMO.
1200G doesn’t give such “familiar” and alive sound. This keeps Kenwood price high. I think Technics tonearm is just to have something, and 1200G price went to a turntable itself. I could be wrong
Great sound! I use the Novation Audiohub 2X4 USB audio interface for recording to my computer. I found using a USB interface is the only way to go. You're the only other person I've seen list one in their setup.
Thanks for your comments. I'm sure others use something similar but just don't say so!
Lets put it the simple way ....
Some cheaper cartridges have great balance but extract less information ....
Expensive cartridges often have great information retrieval but lack balance ..
This one has both .....
In past decades i often experienced when upgrading ....to often you gain performance and you lose something essential to the balance of music ......Nagaoka and some others got it wright ....
Thanks for your comments, Frank. Yes Nagaoka have achieved a great balance of attributes with this cartridge (and no doubt their others, too).
Agreed. As you move down the Nagaoka MP line, they maintain the balance but lose transparency.
I have the MP150 and MP200 now I want this lol
Just go for the 500 lol! You know it makes sense ;o)
How big is the difference between the 150 and 200?
Me gusta el sonido y la música...no sé que tipo de aguja lleva este cartucho, en cualquier caso estoy seguro de que el prensado es bueno también.
SALUDOS!
Gracias por tus comentarios, Roberto! Este cartucho tiene una aguja elíptica en un voladizo de boro. Me alegra que te guste la música.
Is the MP 200 close in sound to the MP 300? Trading up from my Grado Prestige Gold 1. Thank you.
Thanks for your comment. I've never heard an MP-200 but I would imagine it shares the same characteristics as the 300. But I've no idea quite how close they are. My feeling is that a 200 would be a bit of a sideways step (in absolute terms) from the Grado, but you may prefer the sound of the Nagaoka. I don't suppose this really helps, does it!? ;o)
I appreciate the really good sound but I thinks we shouldn't forget that our primary goal is to listen to the MUSIC! On a good equipment, of course. Or am I wrong?
I couldn't agree more! Music is the goal, good sound a bonus!
Hana EL vs MP-300?
That would be interesting. Another thing for my to-do list!
Having used both, would you say you have a preference? I’m looking to upgrade and these two are the ones I’m looking at. If I got the EL i’d also need to pickup an SUT, so I’m leaning towards the Nagaoka. Would love to hear your opinion.
Well. I'd probably just come down in favour of the EL, but it would be a close run thing. The EL would edge it on detail, but maybe lose out on (for want of a better word) "warmth". Not that the EL is lean sounding at all. These are things you'd probably not worry about unless you heard them back to back. As far as an SUT goes, I don't use one! The Graham Slee Elevator EXP solid state step up ticks all the boxes for me. Not being an SUT it doesn't need to take power from the minute signal coming off the record. But if you go with the Nag that wouldn't be an issue of course. And you can replace the stylus on the Nag. In the end personal preferences come into it, and either cartridge is a good buy!
I think I’ll go with the Nagaoka this time. Warm easy listening is what I’m after over all out detail. And it’s one of the reasons I was drawn to the Nag. I like that I can add the 500 stylus too for more detail.
You won't be disappointed with either the 300 or 500 IMO!