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MONO cartridges

I bought a few Mono reissues and now I think about a proper cartridge for them.
But the information varies a lot, some write, for those reissues I don't need a mono cart., there would be no difference to a stereo cartridge, or the differences are not worth the price difference.
Next, are the modern mono cartridges only stripped down Stereo cartridges?
Half winding, half output?
How about the difference from the needle?
Are the "old" Monos the way to go? SPU?
I have a Lyra Helikon stereo running at the moment, that one is available as a Mono cartridge, or others too.... some experiences?
Thanks
128x128syntax
pryso
1,927 posts
 
Jonathan, thank you for the additional information. That filled in several "gaps" in the previous information I accumulated.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
hevak...i've got just shy of 600 lps in mono, most of which are original. for the most part the opened ones are in near mint condition and unless i'm wrong, all sound great. some of these lps i've actually owned since the mid sixties as well, and have always used a stereo cartridge with no sonic shortcomings.
hevac1
812 posts
 
Sabertouch,
I load mine at 1000 ohms.

Jaybo,
Have you tried a mono cartridge? Your mono's could sound better with a mono cartridge.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
yes, i've 'tried' several, but never found it any more effective than a mono switch to enhance the fidelity. the capatibility debate has never been a concern for me. the cartridges I've 'had' were purchased because i had a spare turntable for experimentation, but were never a seminal purchase. playing a vintage mono lp. or a new re-issue on a 'stereo' is nothing for most to worry about.
sabertouch
26 posts
 
Thanks for your response Hevac.
I will try mine at 940 ohms which is the highest loading I have for the pre without ordering new resistor plugs.
Did you try yours at a higher loading before making final load decision? They state the higher the loading, the more open the result.
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