The OP will be using a mono cartridge. The query is about whether a dedicated mono phono stage would be superior using the mono cartridge to a stereo phono stage using a mono switch with a mono cartridge.
Bill
How are you playing your precious MONO Vinyl?
I am about to invest in MONO Vinyl playback setup.
The goal - pure, undiluted music straight down the center.
The plan - dedicated 2nd tonearm + mono cartridge + phono
After 6 long months of waiting, my Woodsong plinth with dual arm boards schedule to arrive next month.
I came across a product that peaked my interest. The Monaural Phono Amplifier - Aurorasound EQ-100. No reviews, so I am wondering if anyone tried it yet?
⬆️ Is EQ-100 or something similar, absolute necessary from a purist perspective or should I take the pragmatic path and use the ‘Mono’ switch on my Integrated with a built in phono?
There are ofcourse pros and cons to both approaches so I am seeking advice from folks who have compared both options or adopted another alternative in their vinyl setup.
Thank you for your time!
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This subject has been rehashed many times. Many of the mono cartridges on the market are nothing but stereo cartridges in which the two channels have been bridged internally. The mono switch on a linestage also achieves mono output into both channels by virtue of bridging the two channels at the output. So, when comparing this type of mono cartridge to the mono switch, the only difference is that in the one case the two channels were bridged before RIAA correction and amplification; whereas in the other case the mono signal is created after these processes take place. I could imagine reasons why either one is better than the other. The other factor is that when you use a mono cartridge and compare it to your stereo cartridge, unless you are using the artificially created mono version of the very same stereo cartridge you are otherwise comparing two different cartridges. Any two cartridges can differ in sonics by virtue of many factors, so it is hard to say in that case that "a mono cartridge is per se better". |
The Lyra mono cartridges (Kleos, Etna, Atlas) are true mono cartridges. They are not strapped versions of the stereo cartridges. Dynavector also makes a true mono version of the XV-1s. For about $300 one can dip their toes into using a true mono (not strapped) cartridge with the Audio-Technica AT33MONO. |
I hope I did not say there are no "true" mono cartridges. I only refer to the type described. Still, the second caveat for comparing is valid; your particular mono cartridge may just be "better" or "worse" than your particular stereo cartridge. Therefore any conclusions are subject to that qualification. I do think even using only a mono switch when playing mono LPs with a stereo cartridge is superior to not using the mono switch. At least in that comparison I am not using two different cartridges. If you want to get really purist, you can use one of those few mono cartridges that only has two pins and use it to drive only one channel of your stereo system. I've never tried that nor heard it on someone else's system. |
I think the stereo/mono equivalence for a comparison between my two cartridges is quite valid. They are both Lyra Atlas, i.e. the same design. It’s just that one has stereo coils and the other has mono coils, and if you look at the design diagram on the box of each they are exactly the same. Only the coils differ between them. Otherwise they are the same cartridge (i.e. design and build). I can only tell the difference between them visually by looking at the serial number. With the Lyra Mono one can also connect the two mono channels in series for additional output when used in a pure mono system.
See here what Lyra (i.e. @jcarr) has to say about it: https://lyraanalog.com/atlas.php (you’ll need to select the Mono link on that page) |
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