Nagaoka mp110 /vs/ ortofone 2m red /vs/ autio technica VM95ML

[vmscbe1974]

Wondering which to choose for cartridge .

Nagaoka MP 110

Audio technica VM95ML

ORTOFONE 2m red ????

Which one to buy . Any recommendations
Regards
Srinivasan

 

[murali_n]

Wondering which to choose for cartridge .

Nagaoka MP 110

Audio technica VM95ML

ORTOFONE 2m red ????

Which one to buy . Any recommendations
Regards
Srinivasan

Avoid Ortofon Red, it is bright. Try AT95 ML instead.
Are you game for used cartridge, just in case I have a Grado Blue and a spare Red Stylus (both sparingly used). Whats your TT and Phono stage?. I have used the Nagaoka MP110 , it is a good tracker, but not a great sound. Recently I purchased a AT530EN it is sounding very good.
Just sharing my thoughts, not confuse you.

 

[Lizard King]

I have/had MP110 and AT VM540ML, which is very similar to 95ML.
The AT dances around the Nag everyday, twice on Sundays.
To make matters worse, the cantilever on MP110 broke spontaneously.
Only advantage of the MP110 was it was less noisy on old vinyls.
ML stylus has a life of 1000 hours, making it the most value for money in the business. On this account itself it will work out cheaper than the MP110.

 

[amrutmhatre90]

Wondering which to choose for cartridge .

Nagaoka MP 110

Audio technica VM95ML

ORTOFONE 2m red ????

Which one to buy . Any recommendations
Regards
Srinivasan

I had done similar research before, went ahead with the AT-VM95ML.

Don't go for 2M red, bright and not worth the money,
MP110 might be a bit softer sounding.

Anyone I asked said get the AT-VM95ML, couldn't be happier when i got it.

I have one, and it might go on sale as I upgraded to EBI Audio EB-01
let me know if you are interested.

 

[sunder]

Is the AT91 same as the AT-95? Which one is better? Are China made AT cartridges same in Japanese quality?

 

[vmscbe1974]

Avoid Ortofon Red, it is bright. Try AT95 ML instead.
Are you game for used cartridge, just in case I have a Grado Blue and a spare Red Stylus (both sparingly used). Whats your TT and Phono stage?. I have used the Nagaoka MP110 , it is a good tracker, but not a great sound. Recently I purchased a AT530EN it is sounding very good.
Just sharing my thoughts, not confuse you.

I use technics SL1500 , Stanton T92 turntables and Sa9100 pioneer amp . Presently using nagaoka mp110 , thought of changing the cartridge for better sound stage as nagaoka is very soft and less noisy on less maintained records . I listen to bass and treble at 0 position . No colouration to music . Nagaoka spare stylus will order from cdjapan.com and keep it for less condition records .

 

[General_sound]

AT 91, AT 91R, AT 3600, Rega Carbon are from the same family . The generator is same with a few variations and the stylus body is also interchangeable. However the VTF and stylus cantilever are different. This has a bonded spherical stylus. Also 3600L is the heaviest tracker and is OE in many lower cost tts such as AT LP 60 and Denon DP 29F. AT 95E, on the other hand , is an elliptical styli cartridge which was found in middle range tts such as AT LP120. Now AudioTechnica has introduced the AT-VM 95 series which have a large range of styli ranging from conical to Shibata. I have used the AT 3600L and, without stirring up a hornet’s nest, this is a good cart for my old Bollywood and scratched English records! I prefer it over many more expensive carts in my collection. I track it at 2.5 to 3 g. Owning both Japanese and Chinese Versions my opinion favours Japanese. Can’t pinpoint why!!

 

[vmscbe1974]

AT VM 95 ML or AT VM540 ML are there any dealers in Indai or should I go for online from international e com sites

 

[amrutmhatre90]

AT VM 95 ML or AT VM540 ML are there any dealers in Indai or should I go for online from international e com sites

I didn't find anyone in India,

ordered from https://www.analogueseduction.net/cartridges2.html

But keep your mind open to pay customs

 

[Lizard King]

AT VM 95 ML or AT VM540 ML are there any dealers in Indai or should I go for online from international e com sites

Get it hand carried from abroad.

 

[sunder]

AT 91, AT 91R, AT 3600, Rega Carbon are from the same family . The generator is same with a few variations and the stylus body is also interchangeable. However the VTF and stylus cantilever are different. This has a bonded spherical stylus. Also 3600L is the heaviest tracker and is OE in many lower cost tts such as AT LP 60 and Denon DP 29F. AT 95E, on the other hand , is an elliptical styli cartridge which was found in middle range tts such as AT LP120. Now AudioTechnica has introduced the AT-VM 95 series which have a large range of styli ranging from conical to Shibata. I have used the AT 3600L and, without stirring up a hornet’s nest, this is a good cart for my old Bollywood and scratched English records! I prefer it over many more expensive carts in my collection. I track it at 2.5 to 3 g. Owning both Japanese and Chinese Versions my opinion favours Japanese. Can’t pinpoint why!!

General_sound, thank you for the information. I think the Japanese version is not available easily Did you buy on ebay? Regards.

 

[sunder]

Dear friends, please share your experiences about the Japanese JICO styli. Now their prices are equal to high end cartridges, very expensive + shipping.

 

[murali_n]

I didn't find anyone in India,

ordered from https://www.analogueseduction.net/cartridges2.html

But keep your mind open to pay customs

Customs duty should not exceed 42% of the Product cost+ Insurance charges+Shipping charges.

 

[murali_n]

Is the AT91 same as the AT-95? Which one is better? Are China made AT cartridges same in Japanese quality?

AT 95 will sound better than AT91.

 

[General_sound]

Sunder. You are right. Japanese versions are difficult to procure as AT has shifted production of its low cost carts to China. I picked up a few from abroad in 2019 as they were available cheap. In fact fact I still have a sealed AT CN 5625(or some such number) cart still sealed. All Japanese carts have Made in Japan inscribed on top and the styli have Japan written on the stylus housing. While my preference is for Japanese products, l can assure you that Chinese AT carts are almost indistinguishable to many , but not all, ears.
If in NCR you can listen to both at my home.

 

[sunder]

Sunder. You are right. Japanese versions are difficult to procure as AT has shifted production of its low cost carts to China. I picked up a few from abroad in 2019 as they were available cheap. In fact fact I still have a sealed AT CN 5625(or some such number) cart still sealed. All Japanese carts have Made in Japan inscribed on top and the styli have Japan written on the stylus housing. While my preference is for Japanese products, l can assure you that Chinese AT carts are almost indistinguishable to many , but not all, ears.
If in NCR you can listen to both at my home.

General-sound, thanks, if there is a chance to come & listen, then definitely I will do. Regards.

 

[vmscbe1974]

Avoid Ortofon Red, it is bright. Try AT95 ML instead.
Are you game for used cartridge, just in case I have a Grado Blue and a spare Red Stylus (both sparingly used). Whats your TT and Phono stage?. I have used the Nagaoka MP110 , it is a good tracker, but not a great sound. Recently I purchased a AT530EN it is sounding very good.
Just sharing my thoughts, not confuse you.

Sir my turntable is technics SL1500 and pioneer sa9100
Regards
Srinivasan

 

[murali_n]

Sir my turntable is technics SL1500 and pioneer sa9100
Regards
Srinivasan

Sir,
Good tables both.
BTW I saw your Tamil interview in YT yesterday , very informative. May be we can meet when i happen to come to Coimbatore, to see you LP collection.
Thanks.