Help me choose a mono cartridge

Stringreen - in answer to your question why anyone would want a mono cartridge,  a true mono cartridge picks up modulations in the lateral groove but is insensitive to modulations in the vertical plane.  If you have a less than perfect record with clicks and pops (which tend to reside in the vertical plane), they will be much more silent with a true mono cartridge.  I first learned about this from an old *Listener* article (Jan./Feb. 2002) in which Art Dudley reviewed the Helikon Mono cartridge.  I subsequently bought that cartridge and . . . hearing is believing.  

I have well over 1,000 monaural records in my collection, most of which are pretty old and many of which have clicks/pops that could be heard when played on my stereo rig, which employed an Ortofon Jubilee cartridge.  With the Helikon mono cartridge, however, the extraneous noise - clicks and pops - was much diminished, and my listening experience was more enjoyable.

You won't achieve the same benefits with a stereo cartridge that has strapped coils to simulate a monaural signal or by using the mono button on your preamp. 

Happy listening!

I didn't see the need for a mono cartridge ... until I got one. Brand new reissues have more focus and impact; old original mono pressings picked up from thrift shops and dusty garages sounded pristine and clean. I had many 50-ish mono pressings that were unplayably noisy that sound like new.

On one mid-'60s mono album, there was less inner detail with background vocals when played with the stereo cart, especially when compared to the stereo version. Switching to the mono cartridge, the situation was reversed, with the mono LP sounding clearer and even easier to hear into the mix.

So far I've found nearly 100 mono LPs in my collection, most of which are from the '50s and '60s. They are all in steady rotation when I have the mono cartridge installed. 

The only vintage mono LP that doesn't sound as good to me as the stereo reissue is the Mercury Living Presence set of Janos Starker's rendition of the Bach Cello Suites. Both versions sound like real cellos, but the mono version has more bow and rosin sound while the stereo has more body resonance. It must be how the original was mixed and cut, because it's the only vintage mono LP of mine that's a little short in rich tonal balance. 

Altogether a big, satisfying success.

Hope I will enjoy mono cartridge benefits. My install is scheduled tomorrow for a Soundsmith  Carmen Dual Coil Mono cartridge. The info sheet states that it is a Nude Elliptical stylus. I would guess it is not a "true mono" cart? There appears to be a metal strap. Was hoping that it might help with older mono records but perhaps I have made another mistake?