Playing mono records properly without breaking the bank - a phono pre-amp question.

Mono Cartridge Recommendations??? Christmas is coming!

remote controlled stereo/mono switch.

add it later if desired

https://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/m1200.htm

you need to go to the home page, scroll down, it's next to the last item

https://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/m1200.htm

OP writes:

"not planning on getting a turntable with interchangeable headshell and
(c) don’t see myself wanting to get a cartridge with a removable stylus where I would switch out the stylus each time I want to play a mono record..(d) will not be playing any 78’s on this turntable".

That is why I mentioned the already setup TT. It is fully adjustable, but no need to adjust anything (except level via it's adjustable feet) (perhaps OP might want to try a different cartridge later).

The low quantity of Mono records he describes do not warrant the advanced considerations he mentions.

The remote controlled stereo/mono switch can be tried, kept, returned, about the same price as a different cartridge, but no skills/work involved.

I do have Stereo/Mono circuit in my McIntosh mx110z tuner/preamp (wonderful tube phono eq) as I mentioned.

I never tried a Mono cartridge. That is a specific alternate. Perhaps I will buy one I can return, try it, see if it bests the Stereo Cartridge/McIntosh Mode switch, keep or return it.

I play a lot of Mono Jazz LP's from the late 40's early 50's.

Most cartridges will play Stereo and Mono well. For your described use, TT with Stereo cartridge is all you need. 

Last night I listened to mostly Mono Jazz LPs for 3 hrs with an audiophile friend. They all sounded quite involving (you will find, stereo or mono, it depends on the recording engineer's skills as much as the artists).

I moved my McIntosh MODE switch to Mono, back to Stereo, both sound very good, some might be slightly better in Mono mode, but Mono played by Stereo cartridge is still quite involving.

LP Stereo playback began in 1958. Some engineers anticipated that and recorded with two or more mics to be ready. Those masters can be re-engineered to Stereo successfully. Avoid 'mono reprocessed to stereo', they generally sound worse than the mono original.
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I do advise that you get a TT with the possibility of adjustments.

I use this fully adjustable TT  which fits your budget

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120XUSB-Direct-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Skate/dp/B07N3S4X3P/ref=asc_df_B07N3S4X3P/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312150547590&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8381325411824345964&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003512&hvtargid=pla-681677883325&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=70581793108&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312150547590&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8381325411824345964&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003512&hvtargid=pla-681677883325

The supplied cartridge is factory aligned, just level the TT and off you go. You may never change anything, but, then again, you might.

I changed the cartridge to this one (so I could lower the tracking weight). 

https://hifiheaven.net/shop/Shure-M97xE-Audiophile-Phono-Cartridge?language=en&currency=USD&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_rfvBRCPARIsANlV66MTfCEX1XGRPd6RY8AFCDxTaPR1TXzZgw3rNCawEV6Nlr320_5Wfw4aAs4iEALw_wcB
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McIntosh MODE Switch has a MONO mode. (some, not all models).  

Stereo; Mono; Reverse Stereo; L or R hither and thither separately or together.

Mode Switch is a great help when balancing your system. Stereo Reverse is very revealing of any imbalance. My speakers have two rheostats for brilliance and Presence. They need to match each other, the Mode Dial is a big help with that. IF you change a cartridge, or check your existing one, Stereo Reverse is very helpful refining anti-skating for proper l/r groove tracking. L to R, ... all help get it right, I wouldn't live without it. 

Bubble Levels for TT.

I have several, and I bought over a dozen recently to include with an amp stand I designed. They are not as accurate as you expect. I now check them with other levels, return the one(s) that are no good.

My Thorens TD124 had a built in level, I trusted it without ever checking it against another.

Thorens had a built in speed control (a magnetic force/shield, pretty cool if you ever looked inside). You definitely needed to adjust the speed control as it warmed up, every time. I never need to adjust other TT speeds.

McIntosh MODE Switch detailed in this manual of mx110z tube tuner/preamp

http://www.berners.ch/McIntosh/Downloads/MX110_own.pdf

tone and loudness circuits, filters described also

assuming, but not said, the MODE which includes MONO, exists on many but not all McIntosh models.

uberwaltz

this, from that ortofon article is what convinced me to get a dedicated mono cartridge.

"Another significant advantage of using a mono cartridge to play mono records is the absence of response to vertical movement. This means that a mono cartridge is essentially impervious to the pinching effect which comes into action when the stylus is pushed vertically upward in very narrow grooves. In addition, the response to dust, dirt and wear will be reduced substantially as the vertical component will not be heard. The final result will be a much more clean and noiseless reproduction of the mono record. These effects simply cannot be achieved merely by the use of a mono switch."

paying more attention since reading that, I realize there is definitely room for improvement even when using my McIntosh Mono Mode.

I picked the Grado ME+

https://gradolabs.com/cartridges/prestige-series-specialty-cartridges/item/79-mono-phono

High Output, Elliptical, their description of their innards is convincing. And the price beats Ortofon Shibata Stylus.

I'll know in about a week when it all comes together.

I asked for this as a Christmas Gift from my Neice

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Abbey-Lincoln-Straight-Ahead-Jazz-Man-JAZ-5043-SEALED-REISSUE-LP-NEW-OLD-STOCK/382864848599?hash=item592485f6d7:g:wNYAAOSwqxRa398Q

Played it using AT440ML Microline Stylus is great shape sounding fab on Stereo LP's.

McIntosh Mode switch in Mono.

There was no solid center image. Unfocused random low level sounds from left, right, off center.

It's second play will be with my Grado ME+ cartridge that is in transit. I will report back!

Mono LP's, Jazz, on my new Grado ME+ Mono cartridge ($150.)

I am VERY GLAD I got this.

Last night I played a collection of Jazz tunes, Chicago South Side Jazz, from 1927-1930.

https://www.discogs.com/Various-Chicago-South-Side-Jazz-Vol-1/release/5104002

Stereo cartridge, preamp in Mono, listening was more like a history lesson. One prominent instrument, everything else low volume, seemed a half mile away.

Very early Louis Armstrong, Earl Hines. I strained to hear them with Stereo Cartridge,

Repeated with Mono Cartridge, bingo, I became INVOLVED with the music, a huge difference! There, a band all together, there's Louis, there's Earl.

I thought perhaps a bit better, and am happy to report, ditch your reservations, get a Mono cartridge, it's a LOT BETTER.

I went for Elliptical at reasonable price, it's the mono wiring that makes the difference. IF I was more involved with Mono LP's I would probably spend more for a Shibata tip, the extra life of the stylus's with greater groove contact makes the increase in price somewhat meaningless if you take the long view.