Mono listening, with a mono cartridge, has proven to be essential to my enjoyment of music. I started with a tonearm with detachable headshells, and would just switch the cartridges when I wanted to hear mono. I had done all the set up work in advance, so all I had to do was plug in the new headshell, set the tracking force, and I was on my way. Still, it sometimes was a barrier to spontaneous listening. I then tried using two turntables, one with a mono cartridge, one with stereo. My phono section took two inputs (one MM, one MC), and so I just had to flick a switch.
A couple years ago, I had a larger plinth made for my Thorens 124, and mounted two tonearms on the same table. I saved space, a little time, and made a little money by selling the second turntable. This has proven to be the best solution of them all.
I use a Zesto Andros ll phono preamp, but I hear really good things about the PS Audio phono preamp.
I bet you try a few solutions before you settle in. That is sort of the fun of the equipment side of the pursuit. The bold, immediate sound of a good mono record played back with a good mono cartridge is the fun of the music side.
David