Nagaoka MP-MONO Phono Cartridge

The Nagaoka MP-MONO is a dedicated monaural cartridge, designed around mono playback rather than adapted from a stereo design. Available at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY, it applies Nagaoka's Moving Permalloy architecture to records whose musical information was cut for a single channel – recovering the solidity, focus and directness that make a well-recorded mono pressing so compelling.

Key Features

• Purpose-built for mono: developed specifically for monaural records, not a stereo cartridge with the channels summed.
• Moving Permalloy generator: a lightweight permalloy element moves with the cantilever while magnets and coils stay fixed, reducing moving mass.
• Two stylus options: the 0.7 mil assembly suits modern mono cutting; the 1.0 mil JN-PMONO 1.0E matches 1940s–1950s groove dimensions.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use a mono cartridge instead of a stereo one?

A mono record carries its information laterally in a single channel. A dedicated mono cartridge is built around that geometry, which typically yields a more solid and focused presentation than playing the same record with a stereo cartridge.

Which stylus should I choose?

The standard 0.7 mil elliptical suits mono records cut to modern dimensions. For original pressings from the 1940s and 1950s, the JN-PMONO 1.0E replacement stylus matches the wider grooves of that era. Both fit the same cartridge body.

Does the MP-MONO need a phono preamplifier?

Yes. It is a moving magnet–compatible design with 4.0 mV output and requires a standard MM phono input.

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