06/21

Analogue sources › CARTRIDGESEDITOR’S CHOICE

CHARACTERISTICS
NAGAOKA

JT-80 BK
Auditorium
phone 02381 93390
www.
nagaoka.de
Suggested Retail Price 595 Euros
Warranty period
2 Years
Cantilever/Stylus Tip
Bor/elliptical
Tracking force/Recomm. arm 16 mN/light to medium
Trackability
110 µHigh frequency distortions 0,13 % (l); 0,28 % (r)Output voltage (DIN)
5,5 mV (l); 5,66 mV (r)Impedance/Inductivity 930 Ohms/750 mH
Recomm. Connection/Terminator MM 47 kOhms
Weight (w/o screws)
8 Grams
Distribution

AUDIOGRAMÅSuper MM systemwith very natural,
dynamic soundSoundFeatures
Handling
Build quality

06/2021ÍNeeds good MM Pre
to be able to play out allof its advantages
91
goodgood
very good

SOUND VERDICT 91 POINTSPRICE/PERFORMANCE OUTSTANDING

VIVIDLY COLORFULCONCLUSION
Lothar Brandt
AUDIO editor

The traditional manufacturer Nagaoka brings its „Jeweltone“­series into the MM market. The top is marked by the black-robed
JT-80 BK – a cartridge that shines in all colors. ■ By Lothar BrandtT

his body shape with the barrel v­ ault
at the bottom – does look familiar,
right? Indeed: For the limited editionof the Technics SL-1210 GAE (AUDIO 11/20),
the com­patriots and cartridge specialists
from ­Nagaoka exclusively manufactured
the JT-1210. This moving magnet system was the advance party, so to speak,for the Jeweltone series of the Japanesecompany. Their top model is named
JT-80 BK (as in Black), costs about 600
euros and differs from the JT-1210 ex­
ternally only by its completely black generator housing – and as well from theJT-80 LB (as in Lapis Blue), which is offered for 230 Euros. The latter was alsoprovided for testing, but with a dynamic
compliance of over 50 µm/mN our lab
found it to be too compliant for common
tonearms. Therefore, the BK had toc ompete alone. With v­­
alues of23 (vertical) and 25 (lateral) it is still well
suited for the light to medium-heavyarms common today.

48

www.audio.de ›06 /2021

Nagaoka celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2020. So the company is­experienced in cartridge construction, be
it moving iron or even MM. In its top MMsystem, an elliptical, naked stylus tip­(according to their own information, Nagaoka grinds about 90 percent of all stylus tips used worldwide) sits on the canti­lever which is made of boron – making it
as light as it is stiff. But also the generator is made from the finest materials.
In any case, the most expensive­Jeweltone cartridge lived up to its name.
The voices of Katja Werker, Llyod Coleor Stephanie Lottermoser shone likejewels, „The Orchid“ by the Maciej­­Golyzniak Trio blossomed in all possible
sound colors (for all music tips see vinylsection). But even with all the splendor,nothing seemed artificial, the unobtru­
sive naturalness shone without dazzling.
The relatively silent Nagaoka JT-80 BK
seduces to long-term listening – and tobuy a top MM stage.

I can also be enthusiastic
about MMs, but only a few
have really swept me off myfeet. Such as the Nagaoka
JT-80 BK. Its black bodydelivers a scope of color
which is just unparalleled.
One of the best MM systems
ever.

MEASUREMENT LAB
The frequency response is unusual
linear and almost independent ofchannel, with just +1.5 dB at 20 Hz
and 20 kHz. The right to left cross­talk attenua­tion of 23 dB (green­curve) is weaker than the left toright attenuation (34 dB at 1 kHz).
The 110 µ trackability at only 18 mN
tracking force and the very low­distortions are excellent.