How are you playing your precious MONO Vinyl?

“I have all of the above: true mono cartridges (Myajima and AT), bridged stereo to mono (Ortofon 2M Mono SE - personal fav), and a stereo switch (KAB). all work. 
@billstevenson 

Thank you for weighing in on mono vs stereo cartridges based on your experience. I have been reading up on design attributes of some of the mono carts and what sets them apart. 

Ortofon’s mono cartridge line (like the 2M Mono SE, Quintet Mono, and even Cadenza Mono) all use stereo generator bodies internally wired for mono, exactly as you say. To me, that’s a smart scalable manufacturing strategy, perhaps a conscious decision especially given how niche the mono market is…..

I have no reason to doubt your hands on experience, of course they all work! However, that’s not the point of this discussion…I was trying to access the purist approach to play mono vinyl. 

Your Miyajima with its true mono generator and lateral-only compliance is arguably the “purist” approach—perfect for pre-1960 deep groove pressings. The 2M Mono SE is one of the best examples of a stereo-bodied mono cart done right and possibly the ideal companion for modern mono vinyl re-issues. 

I plan to do exactly what you’ve done, i.e. trusting your ears and the only way to cut through the theory or assumptions. Hopefully my approach of comparing different mono carts and phono’s lead me to a setup with minimal to no compromises. 

Lalitk,

Using your ears makes sense, but it only will take us so far.  This thread makes clear what a mine field the whole mono record business can be.  For example, as lewm points out, when and how a record was made matters.  Records cut late 1940s until early 1960s were mostly cut with groove width of 1.0 mil.  The exact dates vary by label.  Miyajima and AT, for example, make conical stylus cartridges with no vertical compliance that work for those, but for records made on modern cutting lathes the grooves are 0.07 mil wide, and these need a different stylus altogether.  Just using ears can land the unwary in trouble because using the wrong stylus can damage the record not to mention not sounding very good.

“what a mine field the whole mono record business can be”
@billstevenson 

You’re absolutely right! Fortunately, I don’t own any pre-60’s mono vinyl. I am aware of the grooves width on mono reissues, so I am considering to start with Miyajima Zero Mono cart with 0.7 mil pure conical diamond stylus spec. 

And yes, use your ears but only after you’ve used your eyes, loupe, and Discogs.

lalitk OP

Are you concerned with aligning/calibrating an advanced stylus shape?

I cannot understand using a conical stylus UNLESS it is specifically for the very old wide grooves, the opposite of your intentions. 

Without a doubt, the lighter/stiffer boron cantilever, advanced microridge stylus shape (any shibata variation), lighter tracking force, refined LOMC technology of my VAS rebuilt AT33PTG/II Mono is my best sounding Mono cartridge. I expected some improvement over the elliptical, hopefully enough to justify the cost: if is far better. 

good/better/best bonded, nude, pure, the various grades of diamonds may wear differently, but I cannot imagine you hearing any difference among the same profile shape, amount of contact surface will definitely sound better, last longer, and if a favorite is repeatedly played, cause less wear to the grooves.

Steve and Ray (lunch near me today) test/compare their own and customer’s cartridges on the same familiar content, they have perhaps 5 various pressings of some, and get new copies frequently. They learn and listen for differences.

Usually Steve plays a cartridge for you when you pick it up, sometimes he sends it, and waits for the customer to tell him, he is as impressed as I am with the one I had him build. He wants to come hear it here sometime soon.

He mentioned a few wood body cartridges he has/has rebuilt/likes a great deal.

“Are you concerned with aligning/calibrating an advanced stylus shape”
@elliottbnewcombjr 

No, I have all the necessary tools and dealer support to ensure proper alignment and accuracy. I am still contemplating my options as far mono cartridges. I am still a month or two away from mono setup (all contingent upon completion of my Woodsong plinth and delivery to my door).