Breaking in a Nagaoka MP500

Breaking in a Nagaoka MP500 with a familiar track, one that has become a reference for me when testing new cartridges. Not the first time I’ve uploaded this track and probably won’t be the last - it’s Paul McCartney’s Theme from “The Honorary Consul” by John Williams, from this Filmtracks compilation of british movie music from the 70’s and 80’s.
Nothing particularly special about the vinyl pressing, it’s nearly 40 years old so the condition is quite good despite being well played. It still has the very natural and expansive sound that good vinyl playback can give you!
The MP500 had less than 3 hours use when this was recorded, so it should be lovely after around 30.
System in play:
Nagaoka MP500 - phono cartridge
Rega P8 - turntable (with 2mm shim)
Heed Quasar III - phono preamp
Heed Thesis Pi - dual phono pre & preamp PSU
Heed Thesis Lambda - preamplifier
Heed Thesis Gamma - stereo power amplifer
Heed Enigma 5 - loudspeakers
Filmtracks discogs page for this Spanish pressing: www.discogs.co...

[@ShellacScrubber]

I wonder, has anyone ever tried either "Breaking in" a particular new audio component by giving an initial auditioning then handing it to over to a friend to do over a couple of weeks? Or in the case of say, a new cartridge/stylus, giving it an initial auditioning then running it for the requisite "Break-in" period without amplification before listening again. The object of the exercise ? An attempt to demonstrate that the highly dubious assertion that all new HIFI components just so happen to perform/sound better after a certain amount of use, is in fact audiophool nonsense ! In my opinion it has very little to do with the claimed beneficial, physical changes brought about by the so-called "breaking-in" process and everything to do with the brain taking a little while to overcome the initial "offence" over the shift in sonic characteristics when a new component is substituted in an otherwise familiar sounding system. Look forward to the green-penners and HI FI fuse buyers responses !

[@ismailmohamad1]

Which protractor to use to mount MP500 to Rega arm? Heard a lot about Baerwald or Stevenson

[@jimsregaturntableshifijukebox]

My friend Ian, who runs Tweaker Man's channel has one of these carts on his custom TT, Great cartridge.

[@farchmarch7043]

Stunning quality!😏👏🏻🙏

[@JumbleTasteSpinning]

I have the mp-200 at the moment and i hope reaching to the mp-500 soon. Love nagaoka.

[@tima.478]

Just fitted my P3 50th with the MP-200. Love it tons more than the Exact 2 that came with my TT. What turn table do you have? Thanks...

[@davesomers7354]

recently bought a mp500 stylus and put it on MP200 cart from Japan for £270 inc import duties to UK. Sounds great@@tima.478

[@JumbleTasteSpinning]

@@tima.478 i love the Rega P3! what a deck! I have a Technics SL-1210GR with Yamamoto HS-6S headshell and the results are absolutely amazing.

[@JumbleTasteSpinning]

@@tima.478 i love the P3! i have Technics SL-1210GR with Yamamoto HS-6S and the funk firm houdini. The results are truly outstanding.

[@gaborlekszikov5691]

just changed my 200 to 500. Im just in the break in ( only 1 hour). Its more musical with more bass and more little detail. Rega P3 tuned Rb300 tuned.

[@greggb681]

Question 👋 Did you have to use spacers and a heaver counterweight for the nagaoka mp-500?

[@johnsimmons5056]

I was thinking the exact same thing....hopefully he answers. His system sounds great.

[@gustoaudio8711]

A 2mm spacer is ideal especially for the MP500, but it’s not really needed for the elliptical MP200/300. I haven’t changed the counterweight, a heavier one would be ideal, but again not necessary.

[@Tom-ox3to]

I have Technics SL-1500c, and had to get 40g aux weight for the Nagaoka 500 head shell and cart. sounds awesome

[@greggb681]

@@Tom-ox3to I never asked you

[@mikem3348]

Nice video, nice gear but recording through a smartphone doesnt do this cart any justice or reflect its true capability. Sorry, this recording sounds muddy as all heck.

[@jeffstrickling569]

Audio on you computer must suck!

[@PurpleDreki]

Lovely set-up!

[@az5610]

Try a SUMIKO