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RE: Anyone running a dedicated mono cart?

Posted by flood2 (A) on November 15, 2021 at 16:30:30

In Reply to: Anyone running a dedicated mono cart? posted by TGR on November 15, 2021 at 09:36:13:

The reason true mono cartridges are recommended is because the output is restricted to the lateral movement therefore no out of phase information from any vertical motion of the cartridge (which would otherwise be reproduced with a stereo cartridge) appears in the output signal.

I agree with John that it is unnecessary if the stereo cartridge is properly aligned for azimuth and any residual channel imbalance is nulled BEFORE summing the channels. In principle, one should achieve the same result as a true mono cartridge. Once the azimuth is perfectly set and channel balance error is nulled, then summing the channels should eliminate the out of phase vertical component from the stereo output and you get approximately the same result as a true mono cartridge. I say approximately, because lateral tracking error and tip zenith error introduces phase differences between the channels above critical frequencies, so when you sum the channels you don't get a perfect sum - there will be a slight reduction in output at mid to higher frequencies depending on the source of the phase difference.

In practice it is highly unlikely that perfect azimuth will be achieved for the average user - before azimuth can be optimised, there are basic requirements for the arm alignment to the platter; the arm height has to be is perfectly set, the offset angle of the cantilever perfectly matches the vertical bearing offset and the horizontal bearing maintains a perfectly parallel relationship to the record platter.

All of this is a long, round about way of saying, you will have to put in a considerable effort in making a stereo cartridge play mono to a similar standard (assuming you have the requisite tools/jigs and test discs), or you can throw money at the problem and buy a true mono cartridge which will probably get you to a better result.

Regards Anthony

"Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty.." Keats

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