Nagaoka JT-80LB Lapis Blue MM Phono Cartridge

The Nagaoka JT-80LB “Lapis Blue” is part of the Jeweltone series, introduced for Nagaoka's 80th anniversary and the company's first newly designed moving-magnet cartridge family in roughly four decades. Available at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY, it pairs an aluminum cantilever with a bonded elliptical diamond and a higher-output design for an energetic, wide-range presentation at an approachable price.

Key Features

• Conventional moving magnet: a genuine alternative to the Moving Permalloy architecture of the MP Series, not another tier within it.
• Designed from the ground up: cartridge body and stylus assembly were newly developed rather than adapted from an MP body.
• High 5.0 mV output: works comfortably with any standard MM phono stage, including built-in stages on integrated amplifiers.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Jeweltone differ from the MP Series?

The MP Series uses Nagaoka's Moving Permalloy design, where a lightweight permalloy element moves while the magnets stay fixed. Jeweltone uses a conventional moving-magnet generator. They are two different approaches from the same manufacturer, not steps on the same ladder.

Should I choose the JT-80LB or the JT-80BK?

The JT-80LB is the higher-output, more energetic of the two, with an aluminum cantilever and bonded elliptical diamond. The JT-80BK moves to a boron cantilever and nude elliptical diamond for greater delicacy in the upper frequencies.

Is the stylus replaceable?

Yes. The JTS-80LB replacement stylus assembly maintains JT-80LB performance.

Available now at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY. Authentic Nagaoka, imported from Japan.