MONO cartridges

I have used a Lyra Helikon mono for several years. The loading issue is a matter of personal taste. I usually start on 47k Ohm and work my way down until I hear no improvement. The nominal impedance for most moving coils is around 100 Ohm but this may be too low for the Helikon
In comparing a mono to stereo cartridge on the same record and by switching arms in the turntable arm mount, I can definitely tell you that the groove noise is virtually gone and the image depth improves greatly. If you have more than a few hundred mono lps, and can interchange tonearms easily, a dedicated mono cartridge is the way to go.

i've read all your answers and I would like to say 'Thank you' to all of you.
I went a step ahead.
May I ask, did someone comparisons among mono cartridges? Dorian to Helikon or Titan for example?Or with a SPU?

I have compared EMT TMD25 with Benz Glider mono version on some older mono records. Glider was incorporated into the EMT TMD headshell. The results were, I prefer the TMD25. My interpretation is that the difference lies in the stylus dimensions, the TMD25 being 1mil (25mM) spherical, and the Glider, I assume, having the same stylus, as their stereo version. However, the difference may well be elsewhere. Sorry, I haven't tried playing newer mono records. Maybe, the Glider will shine with them.

I recently found a Sony XL55mono. It is in an integrated headshell, like the FR-7, and is quite heavy (though not quite as heavy as the FR-7). It is a low output MC cart. I have not found specs but I would put it in the 0.2-0.5mV area. It is something of a strange beast - it has a very thin cantilever and appears to run very light VTF despite its heavy mass. I have not found any literature on it and would welcome it if anyone had it.

In any case, it sounds very nice.

Note: it has a headshell ring to stylus tip length which is several mm shorter than the FR-7.

Jonathan,

You mention that the stylus is different on the Dorian mono than the Helikon. I have noticed that my Dorian Mono does not seem to handle surface noise that well. I have experimented with VTA endlessly to no avail and have just learned to live with it. I have read review after review and comment after comment about how great the Helikon is at ignoring surface noise and imperfections on older mono lps. This has not been my expierince with the Dorian.

I was wondering if you could elaborate on this at all. Does the Dorian perform differently than the Helikon in relation to surface noise and ignoring imperfections?

Thanks
David Kramer