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I made it a priority to purchase the headshell included version because i wanted to leave most consumer-adjusted parameters out of the equation (just in case i am not that good at aligning the cartridge with the fabled protractors), and the product came to be very similar to what i was expecting in alignment to what i did with my previous mp110 cartridge and generic headshell, still, with this one, i can say that sibilance is not an issue at all and the cymbals are extremely present as it is everything else in the mix. If you have any other nagaoka cartridge or experienced it anywhere i can tell you that this is probably the perfected experience in those regards, this cartridge just tells it as it is and probably helps a bit with the experience in general (not sure if my mp110 was slightly bad aligned but it was picking some sibilance out of some albums and this one basically has shown none at all, maybe u can still tell where sibilance was but it doesnt roll off or doesnt pierece your ears at all, so again i would recommend the headshell included version just to be sure unless you consider yourself an excellent parameter adjuster). I would also say that bass is very present (mostly mid and also some high bass, the lower rumbly one not so much). What this cartridge does not do, not sure if any cartridge will at all (except maybe poor ones) is veil imperfections in your records, if pops/clicks are there, they are gonna be audible the same. All in all, if you already own a Nagaoka maybe this one won't be like day and night, but for sure you will be able to tell this one is as wholesome as it gets for the type of sound, while some other Nagaokas might be stronger in some frequencies or in ways they present music, this one is just an excellent all rounder. It is probably very hard to beat for the price unless you find like a used bargain of some excellent model. Also i am expecting this to be VERY durable since it is excellently engineered and the desing shows it was made to last if taken care of. My mp110 was still in fine form but i wanted the full deal in part attempting to solve the sibilance and very mildly undefined sound, i found the solution here and in a way i am glad i got this, but it's still expensive and maybe not for everyone, if you can get your hands on a mp110 you might want to settle with that one, specially if you dont want to put this much money into the vinyl hobby, again, if you can find a bargain in a great cartridge it could be a good deal to just find a replacement stylus for cheap and you will be set. The box which is a hardshell, better than the cardboard mp110 (i dont think it's necessary but cant deny it's nice) includes the capsule with the mounted cartridge on the headshell, the manual that is basically the same one included with the mp110 and a small hex key (i dont remember what's the name for those) to tighten or adjust anything included or to use it for replacing the stylus which seems to be bolted to the cartridge (seems a bit overboard but i can apprieciate it) and that's all that it's included, i like the minimalistic approach and i think that's all you need. TL;DR is in the title and i recommend it if you can't find a used bargain for any other better cartridge for which you could swap the stylus with a newer one. This is probably end-game for me unless i decide myself to eventually get a moving coil cartridge or some other technology that promises great things.Read full review
Verified purchase: No