Why mono?

Bob, I'm using an Audio by Van Alstine OmegaStar PAT-5. This was AVA's solid state circuitry built into a Dynaco chassis (current model is called Inisight). AVA's own chassis also have this capability, whether the simpler SL chassis or the EC (enhanced capability) option.

Greetings,

The evidence would suggest a 16-22 gram effective mass for the wonderful Myajima mono cartridge. While the Tri-Planar is objectively and observably a superior arm to the humble Artisan, the latter (with a slightly higher effective mass) is a better match for the Myajima. I’m curious about Jazzdoc’s observations about the Artisan/Myajima pairing, and he’ll likely be able to report back on this combination in a few weeks.

So far, I’m getting mixed results with mono, in that some mono records aren’t improved through a mono cartridge, while others are dramatically better. In some cases the noise drops off dramatically (the noise generated by vertical movement which mono cartridges ignore). In others, there’s no difference.

In short, if you have a mono collection, exploring a dedicated mono arm/cart is a worthwhile avenue. For me (others may differ), it’s the only justification for running a dual arm rig, and the only reason my new designs will continue to have this feature.

BTW, Mike L. inadvertently added an extra zero. The Myajima mono series of cartridges runs in the $900 to $1,200 range (there are three mono cartridges in the line). All of this makes me wonder how good the mono version of the Dynavector XV1s is.

The mono experience (through a mono cartridge) is very “spatial”, but in a different way from stereo. Shifting to a mono cartridge (on a mono recording) “grows” the sound field in a spherical way – the central image grows, frequently to the bounds of your stereo speaker pair. You get a sense of engulfment you didn’t think possible through your mono recordings.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier

"Bob, I'm using an Audio by Van Alstine OmegaStar PAT-5."

Very cool, JR. I was thinking it might be a KAB Souvenir or something. It sure is rare to find anything with that kind of flexibility any more. Thanks for the info!
-Bob

Thom,

you wrote;

BTW, Mike L. inadvertently added an extra zero. The Myajima mono series of cartridges runs in the $900 to $1,200 range (there are three mono cartridges in the line).

my use of $11,000 referred to my Lyra Olympos, not the Miyajima Premium BE Mono. what i wrote was;

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

sorry if i did not make my meaning more clear. my point was that this modestly priced Mono cartridge bettered the mighty Olympos on the vast majority of mono Lps.

Thom has done a great job articulating the dedicated 'mono experience'. I think his description of the soundstage, especially the 'enveloping' quality and depth are spot on. On some records there is an incredible tonal richness that is unique to mono...perhaps reflecting differences in the recording technique, i.e. recording equipment, miking, etc., rather than mono versus stereo.

As Thom and Mike have noted, this applies to the majority, but certainly not all mono recordings. In my experience, the better the recording, the greater the benefit from the dedicated mono cartridge.

I look forward to hearing what the Miyajima can do mounted on the Artisan ;-)