MONO cartridges

welcome to a new world!buy an emt or spu mono.you must however use these in conjunction with a variable eq phono stage.there is no going back!

I think if you are mainly playing mono re-issues, a Helikon Mono may be the way to go (if you have the funds.) Their sophisticated stylus may be a better match for modern cutting heads. If you are like me and have a bunch of old mono lps and 45's, an older design is probably the way to go. The Denon DL-102 is a good low cost option--if you have a substantial tonearm (it requires a good deal of mass.) I was happy with mine, but then I got a good deal on an SPU mono which I like quite a bit more. The SPU is more dynamic and more coherent, but I could happily live with the Denon. Other options are the Grado monos and the mono stylus for the Ortofon MM cartridges. I also have a GE VRII and a silicon damped arm, but I haven't mounted it yet. I figure this may just be the ticket for those beat-up 45's that I might not want to play with the rather dear SPU.

Thanks, I will think about it, the Arm for it would be Fr-64s. I saw the Denon, would be enough for a start I guess. 2 years ago I listened to a Shelter 501 mono, was a good performance.
Are the differences in mono cartridges similar to those stereo MC's from today?

you don't need a mono cartridge to fully appreciate a mono recording...as with any stereo pressing, results may very title by title, no matter what cartridge you use.

Hi Syntax, this info is copied from my reply to a similar question on VA. Hope it helps some. Good luck and report back.

Because I own several hundred mono LPs, I've done a bit of research and made a few purchases, but unfortunately have not put my own system together yet to offer first hand experiences. So all I can offer is a summary of my reading.

* Mono VS stereo cartridge - I think it will depend on how many mono records you own in deciding how much trouble you want to go to. Also, are they original pressings or reissues? Two considerations are styli size/shape and cartridge design.

Styli -- I believe you must first consider which records you will be playing before buying a mono cartridge. Note this applies only to 33.3 LPs, not 78s which have at least 3 mil requirements. Dates refer to master cutting, not date for performance. This is a function of the groove size/shape created by the cutter head.

Pre-stereo era monos (roughly '48-'57), select a 1.0 mil conical stylus.

Early stereo era monos (roughly '58-'68), select a 0.7 mil conical stylus.

Recent mono reissues (mid '90s to present), select a mono cartridge with a modern narrow stylus profile or a stereo cartridge if you have a mono switch. From my research, mono cutter heads are no longer available so mono reissues are now cut with stereo heads, thus modern narrow profiles are recommended for playback.

Lyra may have been the first to promote narrow profile stylus tips for better performance in mono cartridges. I think this may be true for playback of the modern mono reissues, but not as good for older originals. This is not to say a mono cartridge with a narrow profile stylus would not work on earlier pressings, it simply would not be optimal.

Design -- Another question where I have not seen agreement is the basic design of the cartridge and how the coils or magnets are wired. Most older mono cartridges pick up signals only from lateral movement. This is why they are claimed to be quieter in playback. Some current production mono cartridges are said to be stereo pickups that are simply strapped internally. Grados are mentioned in this regard for example. From what I know, this would be no different/better than a mono switch on your preamp or phono stage and a stereo cartridge.

* EQ for older recordings. The RIAA curve was approved by 1955 but not adopted by all record companies until the early '60s (a few in Asia did not comply until the '90s). So again, what you need will depend on what you have to play. All reissues for the past 15 years should have RIAA.

Because of the number of mono LPs I own, I've purchased a mono cartridge (Denon 102) and a second tonearm to allow for dedicated playback once I finish building a custom plinth. I have not decided yet about additional EQ options (which can cost from $300 to $10K if you don't already own a vintage preamp). I'm trusting all this effort will prove to be worthwhile.