Vintage MONO Cartridge Question ?

Thank you for your response; however it was not what I was looking for. 

Grado offered moving coil cartridges from the mid 1950's-mid 1960's before changing to moving iron.

The 3 cartridges I mentioned are true single coil cartridges, rather than 2 coil construction adapted for mono.  All are vintage, and were made before 1960.  My intended use is to play pre 1962 mono LPs.

I am willing to roll the dice with a vintage cartridge.  I have done well before in seeking out 30-40yr old MM stereo cartridges.  The cost of a current production True Mono cartridge starts at about $800-$900.   The cost of acquiring a vintage cartridge, and then having it rebuilt should be about $500-$600.   The assumption being that the cartridge in question does not have a shorted coil, and measures within a few ohms of specification.  The rest- cantilever, stylus, suspension, bushings, can be replaced.   There are at least 2 rebuilders with significant experience in restoring these cartridges, so I am confident of success.

The change from mono to stereo pressings included a change in groove width and shape.  Older mono pressings (pre stereo) can be played using stereo cartridges, but something is lost.  Using a true mono cartridge (that responds to lateral signal only), with a stylus of appropriate width results in much better reproduction than a modern stereo cartridge adapted for mono, and using a current stylus profile.

I'm not a Luddite but I realized a long time ago that "new" does not automatically mean "better".

My system is a combination of new, old and vintage components:
  
Triangle Titus 202 speakers  (10yrs old)
ARC D70 MKII
Cary 40m/SE
Audible Illusions M3
Linn LP12/ ITTOK LVII / AT 33MLocc / Lundahl SUT
Blue Sound Node 2 media streamer connected to an NAS (purchased this year)
AR3a used as subwoofers
Mac 2100 as amp for subs
Mirage powered crossover

Technics SP15 TT / AT 1503 MKII arm to be used a  mono TT

Computer system:
Musical Fidelity a3.2 integrated
Spica TC50
HRT Streamer
AR ES1/ Shure V15Vmr

I also have a large collection of vintage tube equpment:
Heathkit (W4, W5, AA111, UA2 amps)
Eico (HF14, HF86 HF87 HF81)
Fisher (500s, 500c, 500b, 400, 600, X202, 20a, 30a, 440a. FM202T, FM90r, FM200 + mpx200)
Pilot (AA902 and console stereo amp)
Dynaco (too many ST70 and PAS3, several MK4)
AR (3a, 5, and multiple prs of 2ax, at least 2 XA tables)
Janszen (400z, 600z)
Conrad Johson PV5
Hafler DH101
Several NAD receivers
NAD 3020

I have looked at the Denon 102 and may pursue it as a backup if my effort to restore a vintage cartridge proves difficult.   I have listened to comparisons between the 102 and other cartridges.  The 102 does some things very well- mono image is corporeal and surface noise is reduced, but it lacks the air and HF extension of better mono cartridges.  And there is always the GE VR-II....

A mono cartridge can have vertical compliance.  The Denon 102, and many of the Japanese mono cartridges have vertical compliance.  What is important is that the cartridge contains a single  coil only, and does not generate signal from vertical movement (well there is some, but it is negligible).  A stereo cartridge, adapted for mono by coil alignment, or internal connection generates a vertical signal.  This signal introduces distortion and phase anomalies that are audible.  
 

An answer to my original question ?    Buelller........Bueller.......

Old thread indeed.   

"  be_audiophil1 "  Your ranking is interesting.  How did you arrive at your conclusions, and in what ways did the Fairchild 225a exceed the Ortofon DG25 ?   Is your Fairchild cartridge rebuilt (original stylus, cantilever, suspension) or rebuilt ?

Thanks !