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Mono Cartridge Recommendations

I am looking for a true mono cartridge, as I am adding a second tonearm (Musical Life Conductor SE 10") to my Technics SP10ii table. My phono preamp is an Einstein Turntables Choice - so I am looking for a MC cartridge.  Considerations include:

  • whether the cartridge was truly designed for mono (cantilever only moves laterally, typically uses just a single coil) 
  • compliance (many mono cartridges have low compliance, which can chew up grooves of modern mono records (although I'll mostly be listening to older records)
  • stylus shape/size - I could use some guidance here....
My price range is $1-2k.  Currently under consideration is the VAS Nova Mono (has two coils in balanced configuration, output ~ 0.8 mv), and the Miyajima Labs series (all have compliance around 8, which is kind of low).  Can people who have experience in this area provide some recommendations with supporting information (why).  Thanks very much, Peter
peter_s
pryso
1,905 posts
 
peter, the answers to many of your questions will depend on the specific monos you listen to.

I’ve read that no mono cutter heads have been available/in use since around 1990. So all of the newer mono reissues were made with a stereo cutter head. For that reason many find any good quality stereo cartridge switched to mono in the preamp or phono stage is all that is needed.

For the earlier true mono recordings a wider stylus tip may perform best for those produced before the stereo era (’57-’58). Monos produced after that up until the end of production (around 1970?) work best with the 0.7 mil styli.

The question of a true mono cartridge VS strapped has been ask many times but I’ve never seen a definitive list.
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
Oops - not "Robert" of course I meant Robin Wyatt at Robyatt Audio. Obviously I was thinking of this!
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&...


andysf
268 posts
 
Miyajima Zero mono carts are about 30% cheaper in Europe (or just about anywhere else.)  This is from authorized dealers, some of whom will ship to the US.  US distributor does offer a return period which is certainly worth something though.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,422 posts
 
The original Decca cartridge was mono (L + R), and when stereo came in the cartridge was modified to create the "difference" (L - R) stereo signal. The cartridge (now marketed as London) used the same cantilever-less design in both stereo and mono cartridges, the armature holding the stylus having very different lateral and vertical compliances. London offers a true mono cartridge, producing only the L + R signal, but it is a high-output (5mV!) moving iron design, not an mc. Extremely dynamic, immediate, and visceral sound!
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 
Vertical compliance is not a problem. It is, generally, an advantage with certain conditions withstanding.

The stereo signal is an x-y delta created from vertical and horizontal velocity.
A mono recording is only a horizontal velocity. So ignoring vertical 'imperfections' is a good idea.

However in the end it is how well the cart transduces this information that is important.

True mono carts are merely more simple devices. There is a place for simplicity.
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