@vinylshadow
Maybe next year or the year after, but I'm not going to do that now. Before I go with a more expensive cart, I'd like to explore better tonearms. |
I have a Grado woodie stereo. It's a nice cartridge, but it's a bit on the warm, lush side for me. I use it on an old Denon table occasionally. |
@noromance Thanks! I already saw that list, but it doesn't really tell me what the sonic signature of the cartridges are. |
I don't rule out the list. I just have no idea what the cartridges sound like. That's way more important to me. I don't choose my components by a list of specs. If I did I wouldn't need to post here or ask about the sonic signature of the cartridges. |
@lewm
Thanks for that. I did notice that in some of the literature for some of the cartridges, it did mention bridging the left and right. Also some mentioned different stylus profiles. I currently do use the mono switch on my preamp when listening to mono records, though sometimes I do forget.
I'm wondering, how much the stylus profiles, as Elliot mentioned, play into the noise reduction? |
@flatblackround Thanks for the advice.
My primary table is a VPI TNT 4 with an ET 2.5 tonearm and various MC carts on different armwands
The new one coming is a VPI sold Frankentable with the plinth from a scout, the platter and bearing from a TNT 4, classic signature feet, and just a JMW tonearm base with a bent unipivot point, no armwand.
I have a couple of tonearms laying around, and depending on what cartridge I wind up getting, I'll use a tonearm that matches.
My budget, for me at least, represents dipping my toes in. The table won't be exclusively mono, but probably will be most of the time. Mostly because I have yet to decide whether to keep my old Denon for checking out used purchases before I throw them on the main rig.
In a year or so, I will probably reassess the second table, and look for a "forever" tonearm for it along with a better mono cartridge. This is the second recommendation for the Zero, and it will surely be on my short list.
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@andysf @billstevenson @chakster
Thanks for the info. Between classical, jazz, blues, and rock I probably have maybe 4 or 5 hundred mono records, maybe more, I never thought to count. They span from early jazz, blues and classical lps to the rock Era from bands like the Kinks, Beatles, the Who, Jefferson Airplane, The Moody Blues and many others.
It looks like the AT33 is one I'll look into further. |
Thanks to everyone who responded.
Further research leads to further questions :)
I'm seeing some mono cartridges that use horizontal generators vs others that seem to be just strapped versions of their stereo counterparts.
The ones that are strapped versions probably retain the sonic characteristics of their stereo versions. I'm not sure how or if the horizontal generators affect the sound. Are the horizontal generators simply a different cartridge with it's own unique sonic signature or are they still similar to their stereo counterparts if they have one?
Is the generator configuration significant? |
@heretobuy
I'm not looking to put together a pure mono system, though the thought did cross my mind. I suppose one could move one of their speakers to the center and disconnect one amplifier channel without having to spend for a completely separate mono system. Problematic, though with very heavy speakers.
@senza
I'm not seeing any shops selling the
Tedeska One nor can I find pricing, so I'm guessing it's way out of my current budget. |
@lewm
Effectively maybe, but not physically. Especially if the vertical deflection isn't the same in both coils. Horizontal coils in theory don't rely on cancellation in the vertical plane, they simply don't register it. |
Thanks for the replies. I don’t own any mono reissues. I have various classical, jazz and early rock monos. I do want to stick to my <$1k budget for now until I decide on a final tonearm for the new table. I will probably be looking to purchase a new arm early next year. Now I’m looking at a few specific cartridges. Hana SL MC Mono Shibata stylus. I don’t know if this is a true mono cart or just a strapped stereo. I’m researching it, but does anybody know more?
Ortofon MC Quintet Mono Nude Elliptical stylus. I’m pretty sure this is a true mono cartridge.
Ortofon 2M Mono (several stylus profiles). I’m also pretty sure this is a true mono cartridge. I would be leaning towards the microline version, but replaceable stylus assemblies would allow for both spherical and microline. AT33MONO Conical < 1mil stylus. This is defiantly true mono.
If anyone has any specific experience with these, I’d like to hear from you. I am looking for a cart that tends towards neutral if possible.
Thanks again.
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From my understanding, cutting heads are v shaped, and as such, pretty much any stylus shouldn't "scrape the bottom". I can see an advantage to having the stylus ride lower in the groove, it should avoid areas where conical styli would have worn and possibly even below where some surface scratches might cause noise. |
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@andysf Thanks. Current arms won't permit, wishlist arms won't either.
Just curious, why do you feel only spu mount Ortofons are worth owning? |
Thanks to everyone for the info and recommendations. An opportunity presented itself, so I wound up purchasing a used Lyra Helikon Mono. I owned a Lydian Beta in the past, and it was one of my favorite cartridges, so I jumped on it. Well under max budget, too. |
Thanks. It should be coming in by Wednesday, and I should have it mounted and dialed in by next weekend. I will certainly report back. |
Elliott, Yeah, that was the first thing I found when doing research, but I considered it a done deal if I could win the auction for what I was willing to pay. I haven't met a Lyra that didn't sound great to me. |
There was a CL 1480 (mono) and a CS 1480 (stereo). Most labels that put out stereo that early had to put out a mono because the most of the mono equipment back then couldn't do the stereo (no vertical compliance). |
The Lyra Helikon Mono got here a day early, and I was able to mount it at lunch time today.
My first spin is is an original 6-eye Miles Davis Someday My Prince Will Come, CL 1656. Absolutely stunning. Huge amounts of detail and realism. Very neutral across the spectrum. Tight, deep bass. Everything sounds right so far. I'm looking forward to rediscovering much of my mono collection, which up until now only got occasional play.
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