Engrove Audio Tools · Cartridge database reference

Nagaoka MP-500

Nagaoka MP-500 cartridge reference data for tonearm matching, compliance, tracking force and resonance setup.

Reference specifications

ManufacturerNagaoka
ModelMP-500
TypeMoving Iron
Body mass8 g
Compliance at 10 Hz14.4 CU
Compliance sourceestimated
Tracking force1.55 g recommended

Setup context

Use this cartridge reference with the Tonearm Match Lab to estimate cartridge-tonearm resonance. The key setup inputs are body mass, tracking force and 10 Hz compliance.

Reference data is best-effort and should be checked against manufacturer documentation before critical setup decisions.

Model-specific matching analysis

Its 8 g body mass is included in every total moving-mass estimate below. The calculation uses 14.4 CU at 10 Hz; this value dominates how strongly resonance shifts with tonearm mass. The stored tracking-force reference is 1.6 g. The database classifies this cartridge as Moving Iron.

Tonearm effective massEstimated total massCalculated resonanceInterpretation
6 g tonearm14.5 g11.01 Hzinside the usual 8–12 Hz setup window
10 g tonearm18.5 g9.75 Hzinside the usual 8–12 Hz setup window
14 g tonearm22.5 g8.84 Hzinside the usual 8–12 Hz setup window
20 g tonearm28.5 g7.86 Hzbelow the usual 8–12 Hz setup window
25 g tonearm33.5 g7.25 Hzbelow the usual 8–12 Hz setup window

Calculation: f = 1000 / (2π√(M×C)), using cartridge mass, 0.5 g fasteners and the stated 10 Hz compliance. This is a setup estimate, not a laboratory measurement.

Data provenance

Research match: src/data/audio/v3/runtime/cartridges.index.json.

No public source URL is stored for this reviewed record.