Nagaoka, a renowned manufacturer of phono styli and cartridges, has announced its new flagship model in the esteemed MP Series — the MP-700. The cartridge will make its official debut at High End Munich 2025, running from May 15th through 18th. Fittingly, this marks the cartridge’s premiere at the final Munich edition of the show before it relocates to Austria in 2026.
Nagaoka takes a unique approach with the MP-700, opting for a Moving Permalloy (MP) design rather than a conventional Moving Magnet (MM) configuration. In this setup, a lightweight permalloy element is affixed to the cantilever, significantly reducing moving mass. This allows the stylus to track with greater speed, freedom, and precision—resulting in more refined, detailed, and accurate sound reproduction.
The MP-700 features a boron cantilever paired with a newly developed micro-ridge nude diamond stylus measuring 0.12 x 0.3 mil. This high-performance combo boosts accuracy and detail retrieval, allowing it to extract the finest nuances from vinyl grooves.
To further optimize performance, the MP-700 uses the softest damper in the entire NAGAOKA MP series, enabling the boron cantilever and stylus to operate with greater freedom and sensitivity. While a softer damper can sometimes raise concerns about stability, NAGAOKA has countered this with a newly integrated suspension wire in the pivot system—delivering both responsiveness and control.
The suspension wire effectively manages the movement of both the cantilever and stylus, ensuring stability without compromising clarity—especially in the high frequencies. The result is improved separation, detail across the frequency spectrum, and more accurate bass and timbral reproduction. The MP-700 delivers a vivid, lifelike listening experience that brings your vinyl collection to life.
The MP-700 comes with a shielded case and cartridge frame crafted from ultra-duralumin, enhanced with a three-layer surface treatment: nickel plating, black tin plating, and an insulating coating. This treatment minimizes static interference, improves heat and wear resistance, and preserves the exterior’s longevity.
Specifications
| Nagaoka Model | MP-700 |
| Product Type | Phono Cartridge – Moving Permalloy |
| Price | $1,399 |
| Output Voltage (1 kHz, 5cm/sec) | 4mV |
| Frequency Response | 20-27,000 Hz |
| Channel Separation (1 kHz) | 30 dB |
| Channel Balance (1 kHz) | 1.0 dB or less |
| Recommended Load Impedance: | 47 KΩ |
| Recommended Load Capacitance | 100 pF |
| Vertical Tracking Force | 1.4 g |
| Cantilever | Boron |
| Stylus Tip | Micro-ridge Naked Diamond |
| Cartridge Weight | 8.0 g |
| Cartridge & Headshell Weight | 26.3 g |
| Replacement Stylus | JN-P700 |
The Bottom Line
There are a wide range of phono cartridges available, and the NAGAOKA MP-110 from our 2024 Editors’ Choice list is an affordable option for modest systems. However, if you have a high-end turntable and audio system, the NAGAOKA MP-700’s unique design might deliver the performance you are seeking.
If you are attending High End Munich 2025, NAGAOKA is expected to be on hand showing off its design and capabilities.
Price & Availability
The MP-700 will be available worldwide starting May 13, 2025, commemorating NAGAOKA’s 85 years anniversary.
- MP-700H: $1,499 (cartridge with headshell)
- MP-700: $1,399 (cartridge)
- JN-P700: $789 (Stylus)
Every NAGAOKA cartridge is handcrafted in Japan by skilled artisans, upholding the brand’s commitment to precision and quality.
Related Reading
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- Audio Technica’s AT-ART1000X Moving Coil Phono Cartridge is Designed For the World’s Top Turntables
- Ortofon’s 2MR Series Cartridges Offer Compatibility With A Wider Range of Tonearms
Anton Grado III
April 26, 2025 at 12:33 pm
A Japanese brand that has been around for over 70 years. Their mid-tier carts are highly underrated. $1300 for a MM seems rather excessive.
Ian White
April 26, 2025 at 1:47 pm
I’m perplexed by the price as well. Their core buyer is like $300. $1300 is a stretch. I have the MP-110 and love it.
IW