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Osawa OS 301 Moving Iron Cartridge (Manufactured by Nagaoka) In Excellent Condition 30-50 hours of use max Output Voltage: 2.8mV Connection: Phono MM Material: Diamond, Nude Stylus type: elliptical Tracking Force: 1.7 - 2.3g RRP 199 euro Sale price: £80 / 92 euro Sent from Cyprus - no taxes to EU
At £80, this looks like a strong deal: it sits well below the £160 25th percentile and far under the £388 median of recent comparable GBP listings.
Nagaoka moving-magnet cartridges have a good reputation for easy musicality, solid tracking, and a listenable, non-fatiguing top end, so there’s real appeal here if you want a sensible upgrade without spending much. At this price, a clean example is the sort of buy that makes sense even as a spare or stopgap. The main thing to confirm is basic cartridge health: intact stylus, straight cantilever, and no obvious channel imbalance or physical damage. If those check out, this is an easy one to like.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Nagaoka, a Japanese precision manufacturer, traces its roots to 1940 when it began producing components for mechanical watches and clocks in Higashine, north of Tokyo. By 1947, the company had pivoted to turntable needles, leveraging its micro-fabrication expertise to specialize in analog audio technology. This heritage of high-precision engineering has positioned Nagaoka as a cornerstone of the global vinyl industry, supplying over 90% of the world's phono cartridge styli from its single factory.
The brand focuses exclusively on phono cartridges and replacement styli, with no diversification into amplifiers, speakers, turntables, DACs, headphones, or cables. Its flagship Moving Permalloy (MP) series, including entry-level models like the MP-110 and high-end options such as the MP-500, emphasizes in-house production of every component—from samarium cobalt magnets and diamond tips to coils and cantilevers. Complementary JT-series moving magnet designs and vinyl accessories round out a tightly curated lineup for analog playback.
Nagaoka holds a niche yet dominant market position as a mid-tier specialist revered by vinyl enthusiasts and professionals for its balanced sound, durability, and value. While not a household name among casual listeners, its technology powers many leading cartridge brands, earning "masterpiece" status for models like the legendary MP-110. This blend of reliability, precision, and performance makes it essential for discerning hi-fi buyers seeking authentic analog reproduction.
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