Advice on Cartridge

An affordable cartridge at just £62, the Nagaoka MP-110 tracks at a nominal 1.8g.

We found its square casing easy to fit and align, and from the outset our sample gave a bright, immediate sound that would work well in pepping up a dull system.

The MP-110 reveals a sweet midrange, although we'd like some more bass weight to support its light and breezy character. Treble needs more refinementThe treble is also a touch edgy and not quite as refined as some closely priced rivals.

Ortofon M2 red

With its distinctive coloured shell, Ortofon's 2M Red fits so snugly onto the Rega tonearm he midrange is full and expressive, handling vocals with sensitivity and warmth. The bass and treble interact well here, and while we'd like more authority from the bass, it's a minor quibble that we can live with.

Like closely priced rivals, the 2M Red tracks at 1.8g, and we found it simple to fit and align, with its combination of a large, solidly built casing and captive nuts easy to manage, as it stands, it's a more-than-enjoyable listen.

The MP-110 has plenty of low end, not sure where this review came from. On the mids and highs sure it is not as refined as say the MP-200 which is a $300 cartridge, so makes sense. I have both the MP-110 and MP-200 and there is a big difference.

The square body is excellent for alignment process, this is true, makes it a breeze lining up in a grid box.

I was given a Ortofon 2M Red and it lasted only 1 week on my tonearm, I did not like it, too bright for my taste.

Again, just depends what you are looking for in sound, I suspect you would be happy with either one.

Which phono stage did you get?

The result is fantastic!

More detail, better width to the soundstage.

Superbly controlled frequency extremes.

I listened to Gazpacho - Tick Tock [180gram three sider]

and Pendragon - Passion [180gram three sider orange version]

Both left me breathless.

I suspect the 2M is a perfect match for the RB250 and the amp.

 

I calculate the resonance frequency of your arm and cartridge at about 7.8, ideal range is said to be 9-12Hz but I am not 100% sure of the total weight of the 2M Red with screws and all. Final test is your ears though, as long as you have it well aligned to minimize IGD you should have the 2M Red maximized.

 

Enjoy and keep spinning that stuff!!

My next upgrade will be the 2M blue stylus as the body on both is the same.

I then plan to play blue for new

red for second hand.

 

Good question ... but I can tell you that my $275 dollar Stanton 681EEE something or other that I bought in 1979 lasted 25 years on my Pioneer PL12 something or other (was high end turntable in 1980!), and while I have bought a very nice USB turntable by Stanton, I have not, YET, purchased a catridge that should match the quality of the albums.

 

Stanton, does not seem to make these anymore (why, right?), and the cartridges they show, for some reason do not stand out at all, and appear to be that good. Maybe it is that the design itself is still the same!

 

I always thought that the difference between music and crap was a good turntable, cartridge and speakers! In those days! Tangerine Dream jumped and went around your head silly ... the Rolling Stones were just loud by comparison!

 

You are spot on Pedro.....

Yes the rega PR6. I believe in turntable/cartridge/amp/speaker order, so it makes sense to me to get the platform first. I've jumped the boat a bit with the 2M blue, but feel it will blossom in the RP6. I will then look at a different phono amp, but as my MF A3 has a phono input too, don't know which way that will go yet.

 

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