I kept it simple, a Grado Mono Cartridge, Moving Iron, Elliptical Shape (not advanced) for current and older groove shapes.
2 specific Prestige Mono Options (MC+, ME+), and,
ANY wood bodied cartridge can be ordered Mono.
https://gradolabs.com/cartridges/prestige-series-specialty-cartridges/item/79-mono-phono
Strong 5mv signal; low 1.5 g Tracking Force, Replaceable Stylus.
..........................................
As I learned here, and then listening, and evaluating Mono LP’s for sale, it is definitely better to use a true mono cartridge. The improvement over playing a Mono LP with a Stereo Cartridge with your Preamp set to Mono mode varies from slight to a great deal.
1. it reacts to horizontal groove info only, noise is greatly reduced compared to playing a Stereo Cartridge via Preamp’s Mono Mode.
The reduction of noise can be dramatic. I’ve sold slightly scuffed Mono LP’s, informing buyers: Stereo Cartridge: the noise is the same level as the content, unacceptable; or, Mono Cartridge: noise is there but far below the content, remains enjoyable.
2. Improved frequency response makes a huge difference: Distinction (not imaging) of the few or many individual instruments from the other now improved distinct instruments makes you shake your head in wonder at how good recording techniques were. It has transformed a few Mono LP’s from a ’history lesson’ to an involving musical experience, definitely to be played again.
3. Listen thru one speaker.
No chance for any deviation L to R to cause even minor wandering of any frequency
It’s hard to shut off our habit of searching for Imaging if listening from normal centered position.
You can wander about the place, sit in different locations, enjoy the music from the porch ...
..........................
All of the above to say: I thought the Grado Mono would be my ’starter’ mono cartridge. It sounds so good, makes such a difference, I cannot convince myself that a higher priced Mono Cartridge would yield better results.
I also highly recommend two tonearms, balanced, ready to switch Stereo to Mono, back to Stereo in a listening session with no interruption. How to switch needs to be solved. My Preamp has 2 MM phono inputs, easy, then I added a 3rd arm: I found a SUT with 3 switchable inputs (and PASS for MM to bypass it’s transformers) easiest. Thus MC Stereo/MM Mono/MM Stereo a simple input choice.
Changing headshells works, however, tracking, anti-skate need to be re-adjusted, and VTA if cartridge body height is different (you can of course use shims to pre-adjust their height).
I’ve repeated it, will once again: Thanks to everyone here who helped me with my complete TT overhaul: Plinth, Spinner, 3 Tonearms, Cartridges, SUT seen 8th photo here
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9511
2 specific Prestige Mono Options (MC+, ME+), and,
ANY wood bodied cartridge can be ordered Mono.
https://gradolabs.com/cartridges/prestige-series-specialty-cartridges/item/79-mono-phono
Strong 5mv signal; low 1.5 g Tracking Force, Replaceable Stylus.
..........................................
As I learned here, and then listening, and evaluating Mono LP’s for sale, it is definitely better to use a true mono cartridge. The improvement over playing a Mono LP with a Stereo Cartridge with your Preamp set to Mono mode varies from slight to a great deal.
1. it reacts to horizontal groove info only, noise is greatly reduced compared to playing a Stereo Cartridge via Preamp’s Mono Mode.
The reduction of noise can be dramatic. I’ve sold slightly scuffed Mono LP’s, informing buyers: Stereo Cartridge: the noise is the same level as the content, unacceptable; or, Mono Cartridge: noise is there but far below the content, remains enjoyable.
2. Improved frequency response makes a huge difference: Distinction (not imaging) of the few or many individual instruments from the other now improved distinct instruments makes you shake your head in wonder at how good recording techniques were. It has transformed a few Mono LP’s from a ’history lesson’ to an involving musical experience, definitely to be played again.
3. Listen thru one speaker.
No chance for any deviation L to R to cause even minor wandering of any frequency
It’s hard to shut off our habit of searching for Imaging if listening from normal centered position.
You can wander about the place, sit in different locations, enjoy the music from the porch ...
..........................
All of the above to say: I thought the Grado Mono would be my ’starter’ mono cartridge. It sounds so good, makes such a difference, I cannot convince myself that a higher priced Mono Cartridge would yield better results.
I also highly recommend two tonearms, balanced, ready to switch Stereo to Mono, back to Stereo in a listening session with no interruption. How to switch needs to be solved. My Preamp has 2 MM phono inputs, easy, then I added a 3rd arm: I found a SUT with 3 switchable inputs (and PASS for MM to bypass it’s transformers) easiest. Thus MC Stereo/MM Mono/MM Stereo a simple input choice.
Changing headshells works, however, tracking, anti-skate need to be re-adjusted, and VTA if cartridge body height is different (you can of course use shims to pre-adjust their height).
I’ve repeated it, will once again: Thanks to everyone here who helped me with my complete TT overhaul: Plinth, Spinner, 3 Tonearms, Cartridges, SUT seen 8th photo here
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9511