Some comparison with Nagaoka JT-80 - Audio-Technica ART-9 - ZYX 4D ...

H

hongkongfoufou

Well-Known Member
Mar 3, 2018
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Hello,

I have done some comparison with Nagaoka JT-80 - Audio-Technica ART-9 - ZYX 4D ...
You will say :
What to do with ?
It is not the same price !!!
I agree, but prices do not all...
hs
I have 3 turntables :
- Technics SL-1210 MKII for my 18 year's old...I am not 18 year's old now...LOL
- VPI Classic 3
- Technics SL-1000R

Phono preamplifier is Accuphase C47.

- Technics SL-1210 MKII : cable are original cables - headshell is the Technics headshell with Furutech source 101
- VPI Classic 3 - cable are original cables ( Nordost Valhalla ) + Furutech Silver arrow first version - RCA-RCA
- Technics SL-1000R : cable are original cables + Furutech Silver arrow version II - DIN - XLR - headshell Oyaide HS-CF with Furutech source 101 (before I have Ortofon LH9000) + ACOUSTIC REVIVE TURNABLE SHEET AR-RTS-30 BLACK instead Technics turntable sheet.


Nagaoka JT-80 with Technics SL-1210 MKII

The sound seems to have some loudness and even the voices are beautifull, there is a lot of bass.
The sound seems muffled to me. I am disappointed by this purchase.
My Technics SL-1210 MKII has an Ortofon X3-MC since I have it.
I don't talk about the Ortofon X3-MC : we can forget it. The sound is not nice...


1716708492753.jpg


Nagaoka JT-80 with Technics SL-1000R

Sorry I have forget to do a photo!
Now, the sound is very good but not beautiful than the ZYX 4D.
The differences between the two decks are enormous.
The sound is much better distributed, but not as good as the ZYX's 3D sound. Vocals are very warm on the Nagaoka, but instruments aren't detailed enough for me, and dynamics aren't as good as on the ZYX.


Nagaoka JT-80 with VPI Classic 3

waouhhh...the sound is beautiful, better than Nagaoka JT-80 with Technics SL-1000R...
The sound is alive. Here, the music is very much present.
I'm so happy with it that I've sold it and ordered the MP-500....I hope I won't be disappointed!


1716708492740.jpg




1716708492735.jpg



1716708492718.jpg


1716708492725.jpg

1716708492730.jpg


Audio-Technica ART-9 with Technics SL-1210 MKII

I prefer to listen to the Technics SL-1210 MKII with the Audio-Technica ART-9. The sound is more coherent, with lots of detail and nice dynamics, but not at all warm. You can hear this in the vocals...


Audio-Technica ART-9 with Technics SL-1000R

As I have said long time ago, with the Audio-Technica ART-9 with Technics SL-1000R, the sound is like my Esoteric K-03XS...
Yes, really...It is the sound of a CD player not the sound of a vinyl.
That's why I have changed this cartridge with the ZYX 4D.



1716713153058.jpg


I have not tested ZYX 4D with VPI because I like too much the sound of the ZYX with the SL-1000R.
I have not tested ZYX 4D with Technics 1210 MKII because the ZYX costs 6x the price of the SL-1210 MKII....

So I wait my Nagaoka MP-500....
 
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It seems Yamamoto headshell with ART-9 is better than Technics headshell.
 
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1717335542355.jpg
 
I have received my Nagaoka MP-500...
 
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The sound of the MP-500 is definitely different than the JT-80.
jT-80 has warmer voices. The sound is not accurate than the MP-80.
Both cartridges don't go very far in the extreme lows and highs. They are musical. The JT-80 rounds off corners and erases details.
I much prefer the MP-500 to the JT-80 because the MP-500 has much more detail. The MP-500 is very quiet.
These cartridges have both been tested on the VPI.
The Audio-Technica on the VPI has much more dynamics and detail than the Nagaoka, and especially a nice dynamic range that the other two don't have. However, the Art-9 is not as musical as the Nagaoka.
 
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1000017341.jpg
 
So you prefer the Nagaoka to the AT cart ...? The Better dynamics of the AT would push it out front for me ....!
 
hongkongfoufou said:
The sound of the MP-500 is definitely different than the JT-80.
jT-80 has warmer voices. The sound is not accurate than the MP-80.
Both cartridges don't go very far in the extreme lows and highs. They are musical. The JT-80 rounds off corners and erases details.
I much prefer the MP-500 to the JT-80 because the MP-500 has much more detail. The MP-500 is very quiet.
These cartridges have both been tested on the VPI.
The Audio-Technica on the VPI has much more dynamics and detail than the Nagaoka, and especially a nice dynamic range that the other two don't have. However, the Art-9 is not as musical as the Nagaoka.
Click to expand...
You should try the MP 300 stylus in lieu of the MP 500 stylus and hear how this does! A wee bit different flavour, but you may prefer this, and not much outlay.
 
Audiohertz2 said:
So you prefer the Nagaoka to the AT cart ...? The Better dynamics of the AT would push it out front for me ....!
Click to expand...
I prefer the Nagaoka JT-80 on my VPI and Art-9 on my SL-1210 Mkii.
Forget the Art-9 with SL-1000R.
I don't test Nagaoka on Technics.
 
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hongkongfoufou said:
A good cd very analytical and chirurgical sounds....
Click to expand...

I have never liked the Art-9, let alone cd's. Both sound completely wrong to my ears.

I have stuck with an ancient Signet TK7e because it has just the right balance of sound with a certain rightness that completely eludes nearly all sub-$2k catridges.
 
SoundMann said:
I have never liked the Art-9, let alone cd's. Both sound completely wrong to my ears.

I have stuck with an ancient Signet TK7e because it has just the right balance of sound with a certain rightness that completely eludes nearly all sub-$2k catridges.
Click to expand...
I’d love to find a NOS replacement stylus for my TK7e.
 
I have been on a MM cartridge journey beginning this year, made my way through the entire ( almost ) lengthy discussion thread on Audiogon comparing varies vintage MM cartridges. I made a list of the well regarded top notch vintage models. But as an introduction, my thoughts turned to a Nagoaka MP-500. Currently available, very easy to purchase on line, and it comes with a ton of favorable reviews. Having lived with the MP-500 for about two months, the one feature that stood out was its musicality. Music has a very natural flow played through this cartridge. It makes one forgive and forget the rolled off highs, the smoothed over details, and any other audiophile hang ups. In my system, it also impart a warmth to the sound that is most refreshing and welcomed.

And quite by chance I came upon an ad from Japan for an Audio Technica AT-180 ML OFC body with a AT-170 ML stylus. It was an unusual combination as one MM internet guru claims that this combination of different body and stylus cannot work. Given the extremely attractive price, it was a no brainer. It came without box, manual, or protective guard, , just sitting in styrofoam. I’d say well packaged. I would call this a AT-170 ML OFC, despite its AT-180 ML body. And it is a notch up from the MP-500, more detail, more bass, ..more of everything.

I put back my LOMC, an Audio Tekne MC-6310 last week. Yes, the LOMC cartridges that I have owned and listened to do have a sound signature that iis different to the MMs’. But especially with the AT-170 ML. I bought it at 1/10th the price of my LOMC. And it has given me a great deal of enjoyment. So instead of wanting to spend another 5x- 6x in price from my current LOMC on a top flight Atlas Lamda or whatever, I am quite content in listening to the current crop of MM and LOMC that I have on hand. I guess for now it has abated my curiosity for higher prices LOMC because there is a much wider avenue towards vinyl play back enjoyment than chasing expensive cartridges, especially LOMCs’.
 
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Loudspeakers and room setup is 75% of the sound, there is plenty quality locked away in the other hifi stuff due to speakers providing poor Timbre and smearing ..!

Get the Speakers right and enjoy ...! :)
 
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