Because I have a lot of mono records in mint condition I thought it would be worth the effort to do just what you are considering, which is to get a dedicated mono set up with mono cartridge and separate arm for my TT. Having gone that route, I felt as though the sound quality through my rather expensive stereo rig sounded better on mono records than the mono set-up.
I cannot explain why given the explanations noted above, which seem scientifically plausible. It should be noted that I did not have a mono switch on my phono pre or on my preamplifier. Perhaps that is why there may have been some sound degradation. I suspect the other reason may be that the stereo cartridge on my stereo set up is rather expensive compared to the mono cartridge I purchased and thus has better all around resolution and micro dynamics.
Most of the mono cartridges I auditioned before buying were moving magnet monos. My experience has been that the best low to medium output moving coil cartridges are significantly superior to moving magnet/iron designs and that is perhaps why the stereo set up outperformed the mono set up.
My advice having gone this route, is as others have said, play the monos with your stereo set up and enjoy their rather unique characteristics.
Somewhat off topic, there are some cases where I felt my mono RCA "shaded dog" pressings of classical music were sonically superior to the stereo versions. Oddly, perhaps others can comment on this, the front to back depth (imaging) and dynamic punch were greater on the monos than on the identical stereo pressings making them more enjoyable to listen to than their stereo counterparts.
I cannot explain why given the explanations noted above, which seem scientifically plausible. It should be noted that I did not have a mono switch on my phono pre or on my preamplifier. Perhaps that is why there may have been some sound degradation. I suspect the other reason may be that the stereo cartridge on my stereo set up is rather expensive compared to the mono cartridge I purchased and thus has better all around resolution and micro dynamics.
Most of the mono cartridges I auditioned before buying were moving magnet monos. My experience has been that the best low to medium output moving coil cartridges are significantly superior to moving magnet/iron designs and that is perhaps why the stereo set up outperformed the mono set up.
My advice having gone this route, is as others have said, play the monos with your stereo set up and enjoy their rather unique characteristics.
Somewhat off topic, there are some cases where I felt my mono RCA "shaded dog" pressings of classical music were sonically superior to the stereo versions. Oddly, perhaps others can comment on this, the front to back depth (imaging) and dynamic punch were greater on the monos than on the identical stereo pressings making them more enjoyable to listen to than their stereo counterparts.