Need recommendation on mono cartridge please

.. new review of the Zero he kept after the review (like the Premium Mono BE he used to use), and now uses on his vast mono collection

Can you offer us that cartridges for the same price MF paid for?
Would be nice.

Roby:

>any true mono cartridge should not be used on stereo LP's as they have no vertical or up and down compliance!

I've designed mono cartridge both with and without vertical compliance, and can confidently state that the hallmark of a true mono cartridge is not in whether it has vertical compliance or not, but whether there is electrical sensitivity to vertical stylus motion or not (vertical stylus motion should result in no electrical signal output).

And if what you say is true, a true mono cartridge shouldn't be used on a mono LP either, as both stereo and mono LPs are made of the same PVC material, and the included groove wall angle is also about the same (88~90) degrees on both stereo and mono LPs.

The only meaningful difference is that the left-right wall shapes are the same for mono LPs, and different for stereo LPs. The groove may sometimes (but not always) be a little shallower on the mono LP. Although it is sometimes pointed out that a mono LP groove may be somewhat wider than a stereo LP groove, my experiments have shown that as long as the included groove wall angle remains at 88~90 degrees for both stereo and mono LPs, the groove width is a non-issue that does not affect the design of stylii for mono LPs.

hth

Robyatt, thanks for your information. I wonder if you ever try modern mono reissue from Speaker Corners or Testament with Miyajima? The whole issue of using stereo system to cut LP instead of mono left me a bit confused and I am not sure how signifiant that is. Reading review of a mono record made by Classic Record that made a big fuss about using mono system instead of stereo system only made the picture murkier. I am not quite clear about what you said regarding Peggy Lee's reissue? I have some 1960's LP that said on the jacket that it can be played on both stereo and mono system. I assume that it is just a regular mono LP.
Look like it will have to be trial and error on some LPs. Hopefully the LP won't be too easily destroyed with one brief playing! Also thanks for information regarding VPI armwand for Miyajima, will check that out.

Jonathan, love your Atlas cartridge. Now I only have a handful of mono recordings. I have not looked much into earlier mono recordings but recently acquired some that sounded excelent, even with stereo cartridge which prompt me to explore other mono recordings more. Once I have enough LPs, I will definitely revisit Lyra's option.

Now I wonder how neccessary it is to consider phono with non-RIAA curve? It never ends :(

There appears to be a variety of theoretical constructs concerning ways of designing mono cartridges.

I wonder if all of these varying points of view will ever come together in agreement?

But as for now, my understanding is that a mono cartridge with both vertical and horizontal tracking will then make it possible for someone to play stereo recordings with that said mono cartridge.

I also understand how having both means of tracking could or would be an asset with a professionally designed mono cartridge.

What isn't clear to me however is why anyone would want to play stereo recordings with a mono cartridge or vice versa.

Aside from just being a purist; is there practical sense in playing strictly mono recordings with a mono cartridge regardless of whether its a Lyra, a Miyajima, a Grado or whatever?
(Robyn...? Jonathan...?)

Can anybody describe the improvements of the Miyajima Zero over the premium?
Also, the mono stepup Robin offers for the Miyajima looks interesting, but since my Pass xp-15 has 76db of gain would it be unneccesary for me?
Third question- Looking to expand my mono collection. Mostly looking for jazz and rock. I already have all the QRP Prestige reissues, Bob Dylan Mono set, and a few other old blue notes. Can you guys throw out a few more titles old or reissue worth hunting down? Thanks
George