Review on Nagaoka JT-80LB Cart

[Bill125812]

Hi Guys 

 

I was lucky enough to be given from David at Analogue Depot, a the newly released Nagaoka JT-80LB MM ( RR $339 ) cartridge to have a listen to and compare with some of my carts 

 

I’ll start firstly by listing the equipment I used.  

 

Amp .  Nad C368
Phono Stage.  Pho  800

TT.   Clear audio MM. 

Speakers. Magnapan LRS 

 

Comparison Carts  

 

AT VM530EN/H  RR $399

Ortofon 2M Blue RR $349

Ortofon 2M Bronze RR $649

 

Vinyl played.  
 

Beatles St Pepper Anniversary edition 2017

Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon 30th Anniversary 

Miles Davis. Kind Of Blue limited edition 

 

 

I’ve picked well known carts that many of us would already know and have listened to before.   I will admit that I was a huge Nagaoka fan back when I started on this HIFI journey, when the air was clear, the car had just been invented, and there was no pandemic’s to speak of.

 

First the Audio Technica.   Both carts had a nice soundstage.  What I initially found, was that the AT sounded muffled compared to the Nagaoka.  Certainly much more detail and presence over the AT.   After listening to the first few tracks of Dark side of the moon, it was obvious there was no way the AT was going to compete.  
 

Second Cart was the well respected and reviewed Ortofon 2M Blue.   This should be more of a match.  Well you would have thought so.  To my surprise the Nagaoka not only competed in every aspect.  Soundstage was better, far more detail. Bass improved  I hadn’t done a true comparison with the Blue and the AT.  But I actually thought the AT was a superior cart.  Nevertheless, the Nagaoka was by far the superior cart.   Miles Davis was a revolution.  I had to listen to Flamenco Sketches a few times to understand how much more detail the Nakaoka was able to drag out of this piece of plastic.  
 

Now this should be no contest.  The Ortofon 2M Bronze at almost twice the price. And to be honest one of my favourite mid range MM carts.   So on went Dark side of the moon.  The Bronze first. Wow I love this cart.  Soundstage for a cart at this price is outstanding.  Fantastic detail.  Lush mids   Tight controlled bass.    Then came ST Pepper's. My all time favourite album.  I know every note on this one.   And the Bronze didn’t let me down.  I hadn’t listened to it for some time.  Can’t let that happen again.   Ok now the Nakaoka.  Ready to be let down.  It’s amazing how the human ear, even old ones like mine  can pick up the change in detail etc. 

Unnervingly though, I couldn’t tell the bloody difference.   The Nakaoka was every bit as good as his highly regarded and much more expensive cousin.   Everything I thought about budget Carts had fallen apart   This is a $339 wonder. I hadn’t realised how good it was against the other competitors until the Bronze stood up.  In fact I think the detail that the Nakaoka is reproducing is better. 
 

I have no affiliation with Analogue Depot, and certainly no kickbacks for doing this review.  ( well I did score a nice Cart I suppose ) but believe me.  If you don’t audition this little beauty at this ridiculous price your missing out, and probably throwing away your hard earned dollars 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 23, 2021 by Bill125812

[leftmanifesto]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am eyeing at one at the moment. Wondering if I should get this or save a little more to just buy its mp150 instead.

Edited October 16, 2021 by leftmanifesto

[Dean Gale]

Thank you I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on it too