I have this cartridge but it needs a new stylus. I'm toying with the idea of getting a replacement stylus but am wondering what people think of this cartridge overall. Any MP-11 owner's out there have any thoughts on it?
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Nagaoka MP-11 Cartridge Opinions
- Thread starter BroonsBane
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I am also fascinated by this cart. However, Nagaoka recently "updated" there carts and the MP-110 is the successor to the MP-11. I'm interested in knowing if anyone has an opinion on this cart too. I'm not sure if the stylus is interchangeable or not. One AKer told me that they had the MP-11 on their Dual and liked it. I also have a Dual and was happy to hear that. This might be my next cart purchase... 
Here are some write-ups on it:
http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/nagaoka_mp11_e.html
http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=65290
http://www.needledoctor.com/Ortofon-2M-Red-Phono-Cartridge (Toward the bottom, there is a pdf that compares the Ortofon 2M Red/Blue to the MP-11. Interesting read)
Here are some write-ups on it:
http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/nagaoka_mp11_e.html
http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=65290
http://www.needledoctor.com/Ortofon-2M-Red-Phono-Cartridge (Toward the bottom, there is a pdf that compares the Ortofon 2M Red/Blue to the MP-11. Interesting read)
The MP-11 is an old-dog. It's been around for some time now and as mentioned, has been Updated. However, it was HIGHLY praised as a Budget Wonder by many. I found that I liked the Ortofon FF 15 XE Mk II better, but it's really a matter of prefference to sound I guess.
Joey
Joey
melofelo
Addicted Member
i tried the mp11 in the mid 80's on my first turntable, a dual cs505-2 deluxe..but was pretty disappointed with the results.
The most memorable impression being a very recessed treble and congested midrange with decent-ish bass but not much else in terms or musical enjoyment.
In hindsight , and given the very generous reviews at the time, I suspect that my disappointment was either due to a poor sample, or more likely, the result of a gross mismatch in terms of compliance and alignment in the Dual's tonearm...its relatively high and narrow tracking force range didn't help either..and i do remember an overly soft suspension being a problem...which considering the cartridge's body weight made its match with a low mass tonearm all the more difficult
The more expensive mp11 boron was also touted as an outstanding cartridge too but my frustration wth the mp11 at the time led me to try the crisper sounding ,less fussy audio technica at110e instead..and a few years later an at95e.
Both of which i think are still among the best sounding,truly affordable budget cartridges of the last 25 years..:scratch2:
I have the original cartridge shootout review of the mp11 against 11 of its main competitors at the time in 1983 including :
Adc phase 1
Audio technica at 110e
A&R C77
Empire 250E
Glanz MFG-11T
Grado GT Super
Nad 9200
Nagaoka MP11
Ortofon VMS 10E II
Pickering Red Hot Needle
Shure M99E
Stanton 500EE II
drop me a pm with an email addy if you (or anyone else)would like a copy of the review and i'll blow some dust off the scanner later this evening..
The most memorable impression being a very recessed treble and congested midrange with decent-ish bass but not much else in terms or musical enjoyment.
In hindsight , and given the very generous reviews at the time, I suspect that my disappointment was either due to a poor sample, or more likely, the result of a gross mismatch in terms of compliance and alignment in the Dual's tonearm...its relatively high and narrow tracking force range didn't help either..and i do remember an overly soft suspension being a problem...which considering the cartridge's body weight made its match with a low mass tonearm all the more difficult
The more expensive mp11 boron was also touted as an outstanding cartridge too but my frustration wth the mp11 at the time led me to try the crisper sounding ,less fussy audio technica at110e instead..and a few years later an at95e.
Both of which i think are still among the best sounding,truly affordable budget cartridges of the last 25 years..:scratch2:
I have the original cartridge shootout review of the mp11 against 11 of its main competitors at the time in 1983 including :
Adc phase 1
Audio technica at 110e
A&R C77
Empire 250E
Glanz MFG-11T
Grado GT Super
Nad 9200
Nagaoka MP11
Ortofon VMS 10E II
Pickering Red Hot Needle
Shure M99E
Stanton 500EE II
drop me a pm with an email addy if you (or anyone else)would like a copy of the review and i'll blow some dust off the scanner later this evening..
MuthaFunk
Vinyl Addict
I have had much experience with the MP11 Boron and love it's sound!! I have tried
Grado Black
Shure V15 type IV
AT440 MLa
Accuphase AC-1
and the MP11 Boron is my favorite!! I have two of them on both of my main TT's. The other carts sit on the shelf.
I find the low end to be the most pleasing part of the MP11 Boron. The mids are warm similar to a Grado but the botom end is much more defined. Very deep sounding, is one character I believe it's earned well. The upper end doesn't have the sparkle of the Accuphase or AT440 but it is very clear.
I wouln't describe it's sound to be flat at all but it is most enjoyable to me. A good all round cartridge, and well worth the money if you can find one! I would love to hear the MP11 (standard) and compare but after spending a bunch of money trying other carts out, I've finally found the one that works for my tables. I'm going to stick with the Boron's, if I can find them.
If you're not into critical listening and would like a stellar all round full sounding cartridge, I would suggest you try one. It should be noted that my speakers have excellent top end which may have made the MP11 Boron sound better. Often the AT440 was too bright with them.
Let us know what you think if you decide to try one out!
Grado Black
Shure V15 type IV
AT440 MLa
Accuphase AC-1
and the MP11 Boron is my favorite!! I have two of them on both of my main TT's. The other carts sit on the shelf.
I find the low end to be the most pleasing part of the MP11 Boron. The mids are warm similar to a Grado but the botom end is much more defined. Very deep sounding, is one character I believe it's earned well. The upper end doesn't have the sparkle of the Accuphase or AT440 but it is very clear.
I wouln't describe it's sound to be flat at all but it is most enjoyable to me. A good all round cartridge, and well worth the money if you can find one! I would love to hear the MP11 (standard) and compare but after spending a bunch of money trying other carts out, I've finally found the one that works for my tables. I'm going to stick with the Boron's, if I can find them.
If you're not into critical listening and would like a stellar all round full sounding cartridge, I would suggest you try one. It should be noted that my speakers have excellent top end which may have made the MP11 Boron sound better. Often the AT440 was too bright with them.
Let us know what you think if you decide to try one out!
rigger1966
New Member
Does anyone know if the jnp-200 nagaoka boron stylus is a compatible match for mp-11 boron cartridge as the mp-11 stylus has been discontinued.....thanks
rigger1966
New Member
I have an Mp-11 Boron cart and stylus....lovely open mids and great soundstaging....cant fault for a second hand buy on e bay
freqazoidiac
New Member
I will write my impression of the MP11 in retrospect. I still have my cart and stylus in great shape, but it was put out of commission the day I bought at150ea. I then found a high end MP300 at a thrift store and had a sound close
to Audio technica at150ae. But it was still lacking, like the MP11. I digitized many LPs with an MP11 and what strikes me is it is very subdued in the high end , a bit wooly in mid, and pretty flat bass response. Pleasing but lacking.
A good tracker and my MP11 does not have suspension problems alot of others talk about. I never did see a spec sheet on the cart but that's my objective view. A good backup cart, a good party cart for playing records to guests
but for archiving and refined listening, many other better choices.
to Audio technica at150ae. But it was still lacking, like the MP11. I digitized many LPs with an MP11 and what strikes me is it is very subdued in the high end , a bit wooly in mid, and pretty flat bass response. Pleasing but lacking.
A good tracker and my MP11 does not have suspension problems alot of others talk about. I never did see a spec sheet on the cart but that's my objective view. A good backup cart, a good party cart for playing records to guests
but for archiving and refined listening, many other better choices.
I've heard one playing one side of a LP that is extremely well recorded, which I am extremely familiar with in a system that I have never heard before. I thought that it was very good. Now here's the thing with cartridges: They can often be partnered with either the wrong arm or a turntable which will be exposed as not so good by the capability of the cartridge. Play a great budget cartridge on a so so budget turntable and you might say: "So what?". Play a great budget cartridge on a top flight turntable and you might say "WOW!! That little cheapy is amazing!".
I always like to know what the turntable was when people are giving an opinion of a cartridge.
I always like to know what the turntable was when people are giving an opinion of a cartridge.
Balifly
Listening
Yes, the MP-11 Gold has a gold "platted" boron cantilever.
Entire cartridge are available in the auction markets from time to time.
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scoville
Active Member
Sheesh! I seem to end up with theses great carts...with stylus issues... I need a Re-tip master on Salary...Is it possible to save the Boron Cantilever, and just re-tip? Thanks for your help. I like the MI of the Nagaoka. I just hate to lose the Boron Cant. I'm having a similar issue with my Signet .
Balifly
Listening
muovimies
Super Member
If I recall correctly the Nagaoka MP-range is very high inductance (700mH or thereabouts) which would make then highly sensitive to capacitive loading, so what you hear from 5k and up will depend greatly on phonostage and cabling up to it. Together with the cantilever resonances it might just about even it all out, but personally I don't like designs with that high inductance, too unpredictable across systems. Not that many people have the means to adjust capacitance and if your phono pre uses 220pF in the input like very common, you could well be over 400pF once you add the wires to that. Which would mean the electrical response is down something like 10-15dB at 20kHz... Generally speaking people seem to like Nagaokas though, so maybe it all works out in the end. Haven't heard 'em myself. I think they're one of the few companies left who make diamond tips (and cantilevers?), so they should have that front covered at least.
scoville
Active Member
They seem to be in the business of New carts, not refitting unfortunately. They seem to be doing well, which can't
be bad for vinyl in general. Thanks for your educational responses, I'll pull the trigger one way or another once more research is complete. Perhaps I'll email them and see what they have to say!
Thanks!
be bad for vinyl in general. Thanks for your educational responses, I'll pull the trigger one way or another once more research is complete. Perhaps I'll email them and see what they have to say!
Thanks!
liteagilis
Active Member
This is an old thread but I was reading up on my boron mp11 and found this helpful. Probably fine in my system w altec 604's (they don't go that high anyway) or really any two way horn. Probably less good if I hook up something w a true tweeter or super-tweeter. Thanks for the insight. And science. I keep wanting to try one of those eBay parks preamps for this kind of reason but can't justify the $400 on something I really don't need, just want to play with.
I agree, it is quite an old cartridge, my dad's original rega planar 2 has one. The sound may not be the best in some areas, but it has good base. If you are replacing the stylus, you might as well just get a whole new cartridge.
Balifly
Listening
Probably a rega carbon, or the Audio Technica equivalentWelcome to the AK turn table forum.
Which cartridge would you replace it with?
