TEST PHONO CARTRIDGENew Sounds
Nagaoka is one of the traditional analog brands. Now

the Japanese have a special surprise for us with the firsttwo pickups from their new „Jeweltone“ MM series.
What do the JT-80LB and JT-80BK have to offer?
Matthias BödeM

MAKINGCONTACT
Thanks to the coloredmarkings, the fourcontact pins of thepickups should beeasy to connect.

any listeners of vinyl don‘treally pay particular attention toNagaoka. They rather tend to follow the manufacturer, based in Higashine
near Sendai, out of the corner of their eye. Infact, instead of a hype about supposed sensations, understatement and continuity are considered virtues there. For example, the Japanese have been producing their „MP“ linesfor decades, with the current „100“ series
having been introduced semingly ages ago.
This could easily continue,
especially since many more vinyl
fans listen to „Nagaoka“ than onewould think. According to thecompany, they manufacture about
90 percent of the diamond needles
used in the pickups that are currently sold, making them the largest producer in this sector.
Now, however, on the occasionof the company‘s 80th anniversary,
The accurate frequency responses
indicate high manufacturing quality.

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they presented two brand new „Jeweltone“pickups. The fact that these work according
to the „Moving Magnet“ principle (MM) issurprising, since the company relied in particular on the „Moving Iron“ (MI) or „Moving
Permalloy“ process, in which a small,movable iron armature modulates the field of
fixed coils and magnets. Nagaoka always putemphasis on the resulting advantages stemming from a low moving mass.
In contrast, both the entry-level model
JT-80LB as well as the top model of theseries, the JT-80BK (around 230/595 Euros
respectively) now rely on moving magnets. We have to keep in mind that Nagaoka
always also manufactured MM pickups andhas the corresponding experience. Thus, theaim of both cartridges is to set standards intheir respective classes as well as pair themild-sonorous fundamental sound range
known from MMs with first-class resolution
and spatiality.

Two Superb MMs
With its light and hard boron cantilever plus
„naked“ elliptically cut stone, the JeweltoneBlack is equipped with the prerequisites forachieving this. The smaller Jeweltone version, which is called „Lapis Blue“ due to its
blue needle insert, has a normal aluminum
cantilever, on which the also elliptical diamond is „joined“, i.e. soldered to it.
That‘s not the only difference, because
the LB, also being 0.2 grams heavier, offersa higher output voltage, is therefore „louder“and even more suitable for use with the integrated phono preamps of simple preamplifiers and integrated amplifiers. At times,
these tend to turn lower voltages into paler
colors and limited dynamics. The output

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.deTEST DEVICES
The JT-80LB has an aluminum cantilever with aThe somewhat smaller, naked stone of the„joined“ diamond on top.

JT-80BK is enthroned on a hard boron rod.

voltage of the BK is closer to the lower edgeof the usual values for MMs; which, however, is not a problem for most phono pres.
In fact, Nagaoka did not promise toomuch with their new Jeweltones, which fit
the common medium-weight tonearms.
The powerful LB seems to us to be ideallysuited for smaller turntables and systems.
Its slightly rounded elocution, including
brightly colored lower mids, never makes
voices seem too thin and gives strings a velvety foundation. The „Lapis Blue“ draws its
sound images somewhat compact rather thanspacious, as we expect from this price class.
It has a good punch, which in conjunction
with the clarity and bass contour provides
crisp and lively results. The fact that it lacks
any sharpness increases our sympathy for it
even more.
Similarly, we can‘t stop sympathizing
with the „Black“ edition. Although it ismore expensive, it also plays on a completely

Turntables:
Transrotor Rondino
nero with Tonearm
800-S

different level. To keep it short: We have
hardly ever listened to a better pickup forthis price. The extremely linear top-of-therange Jeweltone (see frequency response)
sounds so natural, resolved and fanned outthat it provides nothing but pleasure.
It doesn‘t throw itself at the listener likeits little brother – which appears somewhat
fuller –, and it even seems a bit distant anduninvolved with its straightforward tone, incontrast. To make up for that, the „BK“ displays an inhere ntly noble perfection, especially since it also does without „artificial
freshness“ in the form of brightened upper
frequencies. In addition, it features a gnarlybass, differentiated down to the smallest
facets, which perfectly complements the finetrebles at the other end of the spectrum.
In any case, our top reference system
was a good fit for the JT-80BK. These newsounds suit the analog traditionalists from
Nagaoka very well! ■Nagaoka JT-80LB

Nagaoka JT-80BKPrice: around €230
Warranty: 2 Years
The small „Jeweltone“ MM plays spirited andstraight up. Due to its firm lower frequencies,
it offers – within certain limits – some additional punch and also fits perfectly into more
affordable systems due to the relatively highoutput voltage.

Price: around €595
Warranty: 2 Years
With its top „Jeweltone“ Nagaoka takes thecake! What this MM cartridge offers, especially in terms of naturalness, is unparalleled inthis class. Moreover, the reproduction impresses with richness of detail and a dignified
grace without disturbances.

Output Voltage (1kHz, 5cm/sec): 
Tracking Force:
Weight:

Output Voltage (1kHz, 5cm/sec): 
Tracking Force:
Weight:Measurement Results

SOUND LEVEL

5,6 mV
18 mN
6,9 g

60%

Phono Preamps:
Brinkmann Edison, Musical Fidelity MX-VNYL
Phono Cable:
Boaacoustic Silver­Galaxy
Integrated Amps:
Accuphase E-800,­Audionet SAM 20 SE,
VTL IT-85
Loudspeakers:
DALI Epicon 6, Sonus
Faber Olympica Nova II

PROTECTION
Both „Jeweltone“
pickups come with aneedle guard that slides onto their front.

Measurement Results

SOUND LEVELPRICE/PERFORMANCEPRICE/PERFORMANCE

★★★★★

★★★★★

EXCELLENT

Cartridges:
Audio-Technica
VM760SLC/VM95SH,
Clear­audio Concept V2,Ortofon 2M BlackOUTSTANDING

3,7 mV
18 mN
6,7 g

77%
CONTACT
Auditorium
Tel.: +49 2381/93390
www.nagaoka.de

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