Nice cartridge from Nagaoka - Osawa series - top of the line model of the Osawa range (OS-xxxMP)
Look out for more phono cartridges (Shure) that we had on hand in our previous audio post archival/restoration facilities a few years back.
My beautiful M95ED is one of them but I am waiting for a new stylus to arrive - that will be going online "soon"
Nagaoka Phono Cartridge
Osawa Range (designed by the venerable Mr Osawa)
Model: OS-300MP
Moving Magnet
Supplied with the original brochure
Supplied with the two aluminium headshell mounting bolts/screws (not shown in the photographs but these ARE included)
Supplied with styli BUT it is always a sensible idea to get a replacement styli asap, I cannot remember how many hours this one has done but upon inspection it looks to be in pretty good shape still - I just can't find our records of how many hours this one has clocked up in play time.
Replacement styli can be tricky, especially for these older cartriges, a good place to start if you cannot find one locally is www.thakker.eu
DO NOT USE THE OS-100MP styli, it has a different tip
Has the original shipping protector although one plastic pin is broken so I have taped this onto the cartridge to protect the styli
Technical specifications:
A good stylus is fitted (inspected) - HOWEVER, the "hours useage" records are missing so it would be very wise to fit as soon as possible, a new replacement before playing your precious vinyl collection
NO tonearm headshell
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Frequency response: 20Hz to 22Khz
Output voltage: 4mV/1000Hz (50mm/sec)
Channel balance: 1.5dB/1000Hz
Channel separation: 25dB
Load impedance: 30K Ohm
Stylus type: 0.3 x 0.7 mil Elliptical
Tracking force range: 1.5 - 2g
Cantilever: Solid carbon fiber
Cartridge weight: 5.5g
Effective mass: 0.6mgr
Uses the stylus type: N 300MP
CONDITION:
Used with a very clean body, gold plated contacts are clean, no damage EXCEPT to the stylus protector. It normally has a pin on each side of the protector, slips over the body and "locks" in place but one pin on the protector has broken off so I have taped this protector in place on the body for safe shipping.
THIS IS ONLY IMPORTANT WHEN SHIPPING AND IN NO WAY AFFECTS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CARTRIDGE.
TESTING:
We liked to try different phono cartridges on various turntables depending upon the client needs and the sound our audio engineer wanted. This cartridge has had no issues and today I did mount it on an LP12/Rega arm, just beautiful sound - very very nice.
Like microphones, there are phono cartridges "out there" that can give incredible sound for very little money - this is one of those.
As our sound engineer once said "incredible sound stage, smooth and well balanced but at the same time crisp with fantastic detail whilst still remaining "lush and sweet"
This is why we had a number of phono cartridges, the critical audio evaluation of a phono cartridge (especially) is very subjective - I would suggest anyone who has not heard one of these in "real life" to go online, search on the cartridge, read the reviews and get armed with as many knowledgeable opinions as possible.
I have now removed this cartridge from the tonearm, packed it safely in a small box filled with protective foam ready for shipping.
