Nagaoka: Japanese Precision in Phono Cartridge Design Since 1940
Founded in 1940, Nagaoka is a prestigious Japanese brand renowned for its high-precision phono cartridges and styluses, 100% made in Yamagata, Japan. With decades of expertise in mechanical micro-engineering, Nagaoka has been a key player in analog audio since the early days of vinyl.
The brand’s acclaimed MP Series (Moving Permalloy) — including the MP-110, 150, 200, 300, and the new flagship MP-700 introduced in May 2025 — features a unique moving permalloy system, lightweight aluminum or boron cantilevers, and nude micro-ridge diamond tips. This ensures dynamic, detailed, and musical reproduction with exceptional value for money.
The MP (Moving Permalloy) series employs a proprietary low-mass system with a moving permalloy core, enabling fast response and high tracking precision. Models feature aluminum or boron cantilevers and diamond stylus tips — including nude micro-ridge designs in top models like the MP-700.
The MP-110 is Japan’s most popular cartridge under €200, praised for its warm musicality, clarity, and outstanding price-to-performance ratio.
Launched at High End Munich 2025, the MP-700 is Nagaoka’s new flagship cartridge. It features a boron cantilever, nude micro-ridge diamond stylus, improved suspension, and an aluminum body with anti-vibration coating — all engineered for maximum detail, neutrality, and tracking accuracy.
Every component — from diamond tips to coils and final assembly — is manufactured in-house at Nagaoka’s facility in Yamagata, Japan, under strict quality control procedures.
