Why mono?


Can someone explain why the need for a mono cartridge when all I have to do is throw the switch on my preamp in the mono position?
Thanks
Yogiboy
128x128yogiboy
Thanks again, I really don't have that many mono records to take that kind of plunge! I was just curious why Grado makes one.
Hi Elizabeth,
Just one more question, if you use a mono cartridge would only one channel work?
I have a Miyajima Premium BE mono cartridge mounted on a Triplanar tonearm and it is terrific on mono recordings. It sounds better on the vast majority of my ~300 mono recordings when compared to my Dynavector XV1-S stereo cartridge on a Talea tonearm. Great explanation Elizabeth.
I heard the Miyajima Premium BE mono cartridge at Robin Wyatt's house, the importer, a few months ago. It is special to the point that it actually challenges stereo recordings. Jazdoc is right; it is that good.
to echo Jazdoc's comments; i too have the Miyajima Premium Be Mono. it's mounted on my Reed 2P arm on my Garrard 301. it did take some time to break in; and demanded a good setup to sound optimal.

most of my mono Lps sound better on this $1100 retail cartridge than on my Rockport/Lyra Olympos stereo cartridge ($11,000 retail).

this morning i was playing some of my 45rpm Jazz reissues and played a mono on the Rockport/Olympos. for grins i tried it on the Garrard/Miyajima Mono and damn! it sounded a significant degree better.

caution; the Miyajima is one of those 'different' mono cartridges that will harm a stereo Lp.

there are a number of other things to think about with a mono cartridge beyond what Elizabeth mentioned above.

some of them might want a heavier arm than medium compliance arms most of us have. for instance; the Miyajima works on the Triplaner or Reed; but it might work better on a heavier arm.

some mono cartridges have just one magnet, but with the normal 4 output pins. which means you will have a ground loop if you connect like a stereo cartridge is connected. i had to use a splitter into my stereo phono stage and leave one channel disconencted. then i use my 'mono' switch on my preamp. if you don't have a mono switch then you would need to find another solution.

the Lyra Titan i mono has 2 separate mono magnets; which avoids the whole 'ground loop' issue and allows a normal connection. other mono cartridges use normal stereo magnets and simply 'sum' them so a mono signal is sent to the preamp.

as Elizabeth mentioned some use the smaller stereo stylus and others the larger mono stylus.

anyway; even if it sounds complicated it's not; you simply have to understand how the particular mono cartridge you choose will integrate with your system.....and what adjustments might be required.