Playing mono records properly without breaking the bank - a phono pre-amp question.

If you’re not into antique records (pre 50s or old 78rpm) then an MM cartridge with true mono signal generator like Grace F-14 MONO (just two pins for lead wires) and modern stylus profile (not old conical) - this is all you need for use with conventional phono stage, amps etc

If you go on over to SoundSmith.com and check out the info there, or search YouTube where you will find a lot of the same videos, you will find Lederman has some very good info on mono. Its not something I'm into, just love listening to guys who know what they're talking about which Lederman is pretty high up there. Some of what he says about mono is buried in with other subjects, so you may have to watch the Stereophile guy get a tour of SoundSmith for half an hour to catch the 30 seconds mono comment, but if its important to you it'll be worth it. Nobody else I've seen so clearly explains exactly what is going on when you play a record.

I believe both AT and Ortofon have Plug n Play mono cartridges if your headshell is removable. If not, unless you really play mono quite a bit, I would just use a mono switch for such. 

You can always...simply play your mono records and enjoy the music.

Hi everyone, thanks for your feedback. I fully understand the benefit of having a mono cartridge. I don’t however want to go that route since only a small portion of my collection today and possibly into the future will be mono.. also (a)I’m not quire ready for a turntable with two tone arms and (b) not planning on getting a turntable with interchangeable headshell and
(c) don’t see myself wanting to get a cartridge with a removable stylus where I would switch out the stylus each time I want to play a mono record..(d) will not be playing any 78’s on this turntable.

therefore my options as I see it and based on your comments:


i)playing with everything stereo.. stylus and phono and no mono switch anywhere.ii)playing with stereo stylus with a phono that has a mono switchiii)playing with a stereo stylus with a phono that doesn’t have a mono switch but uses an external device to handle the mono.

So here are my specific questions and hope you can answer them
Q1) Is there a good external switch/box that can be placed between a phono preamp and and a preamp/integrated that allows me to purchase a phono preamp without a mono switch..

Q2) is there a sonic hit between a phono with a mono switch built in and an external one?
Q3) As a newbie, I’m feeling like $500 is my limit for a cartridge.. is there something I should be looking for in a cartridge that plays well both in stereo and mono.. meaning, if the reviews are positive comparatively for their stereo playback, is it a given that it will play well in Mono? yeti42 , according to your experience, the Dynavector 17D3 wasn’t all that good with Mono, which is why I’m asking this question. Wish I had the budget for one of those because I’m looking at the Well Tempered and they apparently favor Dynavector Carts.Thanks everyone.