Mono record sounds like stereo

adrianleewelch OP

Definitely, without doubt, put the stereo cartridge on the long arm. Pick an arm with removable headshell if possible, gives you flexibility now and in the future.

Does your 9" have a removable headshell?

My 12.5" long arm is fixed cartridge, used for my MC cartridge. Only change it when worn.

My 9" has both removable headshell and extremely easy arm height adjustment, so it is most flexible. I  have several cartridges I alternate, MC, MM, and now an alternate Mono. And we play my friend's cartridges on it. SUT handles various MC impedances, and has Pass for MM.

I added a 3rd arm for mono, fixed. Limiting, but my 9" arm saves the day regarding flexibility.

My Grado Mono is elliptical, on the 3rd arm. I'm very happy with it. I'm not looking for perfection, or even 'best', just gaining the advantages of playing mono lps with a true mono cartridge.

https://gradolabs.com/cartridges/prestige-series-specialty-cartridges/item/79-mono-phono

I just had VAS put a new boron/shibata on an AT33PTG Mono Body. For modern Mono, Haven't used it yet. He played it at his shop, we all were impressed, no comparison here yet.

3 arms: MC, MM, Mono all ready to go in seconds in any listening session.

The compliance of the cartridge and the mass of the tonearm must ’avoid a problem’. https://www.ortofon.com/support/support-hifi/resonance-frequency/

Today’s equipment, I would simply put my existing stereo cartridge (likely high compliance) on my new long arm (likely not too heavy) and expect no problem.

Perhaps, before you buy it, pick an arm you want, tell the members here about it and your cartridge, get their help.

Well I swapped one end of the RCAs and of course it moved the horn section to the opposite speaker.  I played it on my other table and it was balanced left to right so I realized it was the SPU cartridge contributing. I switched the preamp to Mono and it corrected it.  I’m thinking I need to set up that arm again. It’s an SME 3009 unimproved. It was rebuilt by SME last year and has the extra weight system for the SPU. What I forgot is that I added a fluid damper to the arm without readjusting anti skate. I bet it has way too much pull to the outside of the record.  I likely should have backed off on the anti skate when I added the trough. Well at least I know what’s likely happening.  It’s odd though that I never sensed a channel imbalance prior to this.   Adrian

Mono LPs can sound absolutely wonderful, and in some cases, you don’t miss stereo. This is because your brain is doing the work of supplying a stereo- like image. Your brain knows where the horns are usually located in an orchestra, and likewise where the violins are located, etc. In addition to that the recording, even with a mono microphone and mono mode picks up phase differences among instruments, and the many sources in an orchestra, and that may contribute to the sensation of a stereo image. However, if you interrogate yourself, while you’re listening, you will realize it’s a feaux image, although nevertheless, satisfying. 

To be honest I had never heard, nor been interested in Mono. I just never had exposure. Now I’m really intrigued. All I need is another rabbit hole !!  It will be interesting to take it a step further with a suitable arm and cart.  I really appreciate all of the responses to this thread.  Adrian

@adrianleewelch , first off let me say nice setup. My 311 horns are dwarfed next to those 15s...

Last week I pulled the trigger on an Otho Cadenza Mono. Being I have about 60+ Mono’s original pressings of Jazz & Big Band. I love how the drums are in front of me, instead of coming from either the R or L speakers. Every instruments is delivered with authority in my system. IDK what the hell I was waiting for?

Enjoy the music everyone!