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Help me choose a mono cartridge

Hi all.

I just got myself a Black Friday gift. The Beatles in mono box set at a very affordable price on Amazon.

I do not have a mono cartridge but would like to get one to take the full sonic advantage of this box set. I do not have very many mono records. Approx. 50 out of a collection of 2000 lp's.
Which mono cartridge would you recommend in the $500.00-$800.00 range new or used.

My analog front end consist of:

Sota Cosmos IV with Graham Phantom II
Stereo cartridges are Ortofon A90 and Dynavector XV1's
Audio Research REF3 LE with GNSC reference mods
Audio Research REF 2 Phono (not SE version) with GNSC reference mods

Any recommendation much appreciated.
Thank You.

smoffatt
smoffatt OP
205 posts
 
The SE version can only be purchased through the Ortofon WEB Store in Denmark as stated on their website. The SE is not sold through a dealer network brick and mortar or online.
Thanks
tonyptony
627 posts
 
Has anyone heard the non-SE 2M Mono against the AT-33MONO? They're reasonably close in price; seems like someone might have checked out both before deciding which one to get.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
The standard Ortofon 2M Mono runs about $350, and being MM, is high output. The AT-33MONO is low output. However, the AT-MONO3/LP is very similar but with relatively high output--1.2mV. I have that one and it doesn't need a step-up transformer.

The Ortofon 2M Mono, AT-33MONO, and AT-MONO3/LP all have spherical styli.

I know it's below the budget range under discussion, but I got my AT-MONO3/LP from Amazon for $112.65. It's a no-brainer at that price.

I really like the way this cartridge improves mono playback. Not only did it amp up the transparency and dynamics of my 2014 Beatles Mono LPs, it makes thrift shop mono pressings from the '50s and '60s sound excellent. Several were unplayably noisy with a stereo pickup, but are really quiet with the AT-MONO3/LP.

You will find a wide price range of mono carts on Acoustic Sounds, including Koetsu, Benz Ace, Denon, Shelter, Grado, Ortofon 2m and Quintet Mono versions, and Lyra Kleos.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Koetsu Black Mono will serve a musical reproduction with those records
lewm
13,550 posts
 
Rshak, I was interested to read that you contemplate replacing a Helikon Mono with a 2M Mono SE Ortofon.  Would you care to amplify on the rationale for that?  I ask only because the Helikon Mono is much more expensive and has been highly praised. 
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