MONO cartridges

Jloveys, as Les McCann used to say, compared to what?

I'm not arguing with your results, merely trying to understand. Are you saying your old mono recordings sound better with your LHM than with whatever stereo cartridge you used previously, or that your old monos sound better than your modern mono reissues with the LHM?

If it is the first case, then it is understandable the mono cartridge is better. If it is the second case, it may be the old records are superior (assuming they are clean and in reasonable condition - but otherwise they would not be quiet).

All my mono records sound better IMHO with my mono cartridge than with my stereo cartridge, older originals or reissue. I am also saying that with older used mono records that were not very well care of will sound worse with a stereo cartridge because a mono cartridge cancels out the vertiacal information on the record and a stereo cartridge does not. When I pick up a used record I look at the surface of the record. If it is a stereo album and has all kinds of little scratches and is dull I know it is going to sound like shit so I will not waiste my time buying it. If it is a mono record it could sound great and I will take a risk and purchase it. This is what I am saying.

It would be nice to hear more about the Helikon. I have heard that Lyra does not believe that the microgroove (older) monos need a 1 mil conical or a larger elliptical stylus. Does anyone know the stylus profile and size of the Helikon mono? Is is larger than their other models?

A true mono cartridge does not cancel. It simply does not read in the vertical motion. A stereo cartridge strapped or wired for mono (ie many modern "mono" cartridges) might allow for some vertical motion to be imparted to the cantilever. This is not to say that those cartridges are worse than the true mono cartridges as it's the end result fo the system being evaluated.

For stereo cartridges strapped or wired (ie many modern mono cartridges...but not all), cancellation is probably not the best term. "+ and - Summed together with the possibility for a remainder" is probably better way to put it. Cancellation would be perfect if coils are matched and cartridge is aligned perfectly). Still, it's a huge improvement over a stereo cartridge.

I'm getting my Denon 102 retipped with a larger elliptical profile. Should be interesting to see the difference for older microgroove lps (pre, say, 1960)...

I have a Soundsmith SMMC1 mono version ($750) that is excellent. The cartridge has dual mono coils and plays both mono and stereo records, it can also be wired to play mono only. In stereo it is almost as good as my Miyajima Shilabe ($2800) as reviewed on 10 Audio. I have 2 arms and can compare. The Shilabe is also on the better arm.

Plinko,
Thats what I have read that the Lyra does not read any vertical info. I think in MF review they talk about cancel as it cannot be read. I would have to read the review again to be sure.

Here is the info on the Lyra that I have.

Specifications:
Type: Moving Coil, low-impedance, low-output, medium compliance
Output voltage: (using CBS STR-100 standard @ 5.0cm/sec) 0.25mV
Frequency Response: 10Hz-50kHz
Channel Separation @ 1kHz: N/A
Diamond Stylus: 3x70 um Ogura PA line contact
Magnet(s): Dual disk neodymium
Square Bobbin: 5N iron core & 6N copper coils
Cantileaver: 0.3mm diameter solid boron circular rod
Recommended tracking force: 1.6-1.75 grams
Dynamic compliance @100Hz: 12x10-6cm/dyn
Internal impedance: 3 ohms
Recommended load impedance Preamp direct: 100ohms-47kohms
Via MC transformer: 2-10ohms
Weight: 8.3g
Other features:
• Machined aluminum alloy, mono-block (nude) construction
• Cantilever mounting
• Direct-Flux, dual disk magnet system
• Full Protective, transparent cover