Turntables

Thanks for all the comments/advice! I do have some mono lp's that I intend to play and want to acquire more. I will have the Rega Aphelia 2 cart, which is a mc, stereo one. I can't find out if Rega has a dedicated  mono cart, as I'd like to stay in the Rega ecosystem. But that is potential issue. I could get a 3rd party mono cart, but with the RB3000 tonearm, I would probably need spacers to use one. It's always something, isn't it? Lol! 

Interesting, and thanks for that, overthemoon. I found a reference to this issue on the Ortofon website, which is loaded with great information, including videos..  See below:

Why should you use a dedicated mono cartridge for playing vinyl mono records?

On a mono record the signal is cut only in the lateral dimension whereas a stereo record is cut at +/- 45 degrees into the opposing groove-walls, see the below figure.

A stereo cartridge will be able to replay stereo and mono records, because mono is a special version of stereo where the right and left channels are identical.

While a stereo cartridge can play mono records it can’t achieve the same signal precision between the two channels. A mono cartridge produces but one signal that is directed to both channels in the system. A mono cartridge playing a mono record produces a more forceful and stable image with a fuller, more impactful sound.

Another big advantage in using a mono cartridge to play mono records is the absence of response to vertical movement. This means that a mono cartridge is basically immune to the pinching effect which comes into action when the stylus is pushed vertically upward in very narrow grooves. Also the response to dust, dirt and wear is reduced substantially. The final result will be a clean and noiseless reproduction of the mono record.

Sure, I saw that. Sadly, my pre doesn’t have a mono switch. I haven’t looked, but I suppose there is such a switch I could chain into the system. But, I do like to fiddle, so I’ll probably get Ortofon’s 2M Mono SE cart. There will be some trouble to go to, changing the thing on and off. But I’m hoping it will be worth the effort! We’ll see!