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In Reply to: Help/questions about mono phonocartridges posted by Cardiackid on December 14, 2005 at 13:20:09:
Thank you both (Vinyl1 and Peter Fowler). I am much better educated now. Permit me one last set of questions.Clearly the Lyra Helicon and Titan Mono cartridges are designed and optimized for mono - generators and stylus tip. The Dorian is a very good cost compromise with a microridge stylus.
Are any of the other cartridges, besides Denon, optimized for mono like Lyra or are they only electrically-enabled by cross-wiring and by using a stylus similar to the Dorian microridge?
I noted in an advertisement that the Shelter 501MKII mono was much more expensive than its stereo mate. Has this cartridge been redesigned and optimized for mono, or does the higher price simply reflect new engineering costs and lost economies of scale?
Finally, and maybe most important, would a Helicon Mono perform in my VPI MKIV/SME 309 set-up close to its potential or would the advantage of this cartridge be significantly compromised by compliance or other feature of the set-up?
For reference, most of the classical mono records I have are RCA/Mercury original recordings from the late 50 and 60s, generally in excellent condition. The others are folk,pop, rock on various labels from the 60s. That may provide some insight about groove dimensions.
Thank you.
Follow Ups:
I think it's worth a try, using the Vpi/Sme setup to provide a full-mono signal, optimized for your mono collection. I think I'd give it a try with the cheap Grado, Ortofon or Shure alternatives, circa $100, and just be sure to get something that matches compliance w/ the Sme 309.
Let's not assume any of those are 'true mono', but just the change to a mono-stylus-profile and single input signal should be pretty convincing, especially w/ the Steelhead (which has mono switch, yes ?).
From there it wouldn't be too much of a leap of faith to consider the Helikon Mono or similar, legitimate mono cart on the upscale shelf....As to the upscale cartridges ::
I think all of us must have noticed a convergence of manufacturer willingness, after the Lyra Monos were successful to indicate that " hey, well sure, we can supply virtually any of our cartridges in full mono version ! You betcha ! "If you've spent any time in the HighEnd game at all, that instant response, and the availability up and down the line of any model, clearly indicates one thing -- manufacturers were willing to step up and go the extra distance by internally connecting a few wires and declaring True Mono all the way. None of them (except Lyra) has shown their redesign process, their r&d goals, etc etc, but they've instantly doubled the size of their line of products with one statement. I'd want to see much much more from a so-called Mono Design before dedicating circa $1k to the possibility that they're not fudging on the description.
good luck,
J.
Great advice JD and I will follow-up.
Just read Art Dudley on some mono carts again last night, and surprise, Benz Micro says they re-position the armature in their mono-version carts to neutralize up-down signal....They basically rotate the armature that usually forms an "X" to read both sets of 45-degree modulation until it forms a "+" and then utilize only the side-by-side elements, ala Helikon Mono, to gather lateral mono signal. Clever. And Dudley says he can verify that up-down info has been eliminated via this manufacturing tweak.
So I guess the Benz line is back in the credibility column again....
J.
ps, I think that article is still avail at the SPhile site, and I think it's "listening #30".
Hi JDNow that you mention it, I do recall that comment by AD. I have that issue of Stereophile, and I will look back at it.
Thank you.
greg
Unless you have a ton of money just laying around I really wouldn't recommend purchasing an expensive mono cartridge for your second system.Instead, why not take advantage of your most excellent main system? (I am quite envious, but in a good way...) You might be pleased with your 901 in mono playback mode (I would be thrilled).
If you don't have a mono switch in your linestage the wiring to provide electrical mono is simple. At least try it before you pay a lot of money for a mono cart.
Here's a cheap 'n cheerful mono jumper...
Radio Shack (yes, I know. But we're talking an experiment for cheap, yes?). Purchase a Y adapter that your phono interconnects can plug into. Then purchase another Y adapter that will plug into your phono amp. You may need a female to female RCA adapter between the two Y's.
Done. What you've made is a way to sum the L+R positive and negative signals and feed them both back into the left and right channels equally. Essentially a mono switch. A small box, some silver wire and 4 good RCA jacks will do the same thing with less deterioration of the signal, but only after you're sure you like the result.
I am willing to gamble you'll be pleased by the effect with a good mono LP. If it works for you then have someone make you a higher quality mono adapter and enjoy.
Best,
Pete
Thanks Pete:The mono records do sound fine on my primary TT but I thought the mono cartridge would be better, or so I have been told. I do have a mono switch, it is called SUM on my phonopreamp and I will try this tonight. I thought that this switch would sum the vertical and the lateral rather than eliminating the vertical info. I will have the read the manual again.
I think the purchasing of a less expensive mono cartridge as a pilot may be another good idea. I would like to eliminate the vertical channel noise as much as possible.
I am keen to the point expressed by JD, what is true mono. Lyra has done real work and innovated. The others may have done little more than rewire.
Thank you both. I think I have a plan.
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