any mono folks out there?

In addition to Hevac1's point on styli size, here is another worry for '50s jazz (or other types). While the RIAA curve was approved around 1955, it was not implemented by all labels for another ten years or more. Therefore, some means of adjustable EQ will help optimize playback of many of these wonderful recordings.

Suggest a search here and on Vinyl Asylum.

Some time ago I did listen to Mono with a Shelter 501 mono cartridge. Very good performance.

Mono rules when the whole chain is in mono. I recently got a second arm wand and a mono version of the Benz LP S cartridge. I only have 30 hours on it but the improvement already is astonishing. I have a great many mono records which I enjoyed for years on a stereo cartridge, but there is simply no comparison; I'll never listen to a mono record through a stereo cartridge again. The ARC Ref 3 and PH-7 both have mono switches. With a stereo cartridge on mono records, I always preferred the PH-7 in mono, but the Ref 3 sounded better running in stereo. Now it's not even close - it's mono all the way.

Wow... thanks for all the info.. I feel guilty, this isn't even my post. Now I need to get a second arm and a good Mono cartridge. The mono records that I have are all from the mid to late fifties and up to the mid sixties. How does one know if they are using the RIAA curve? I see that it is posted on the back of a couple of my records, so should I assume that if the RIAA label isn't on the record that they didn't use the curve?
Thanks,

Norman, this link should get you started in learning more about EQ. Look for additional links at the bottom for reference by label.

http://geocities.com/midimagic@sbcglobal.net/mixphono.htm

If this is not enough, Google a few search words. The net contains lots of info.