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Mono switch on phono preamp vs Mono Cartridge

Just curious if anyone has tested and compared listening to mono record with a mono cartridge vs a mono switch on a phono preamp? I know the cartridge option would be better, but by how much?

I dont know how many mono records I own, I would need to try and figure it out, but i have been lately getting a lot of the Chess 75 blues mono records, have the Rolling Stones mono box set, etc, I would estimate about 50 currently and they are mostly modern pressing ones and not older originals. Plus , I assume it will keep growing.

Not sure if its worth getting a used Rega RB330 tonearm and mono cartridge and a Transrotor base for the arm or stick with the mono button on the phono preamp.

Rough estimate looking at about 1200 USD additonal costs

Setup:

My phono preamp allows for more tonearm connections, McIntosh MP1100.

Turntable - Transrotor Zet3 with TMD Bearing - RB880 with Hana ML

Curious to know thoughts about this, thanks

 

skads_187
skads_187 OP
85 posts
 

nice @cey let me know once you do!

cey's avatar
cey
363 posts
 

@skads_187 , i just listened to miles davis elevator to the gallows soundtrack on my denon DP-52F and at33mono cart, and its freakin fantastic. excellent dynamics, smooth, seems less surface noise than usual. im sold. 

skads_187 OP
85 posts
 

sweet! thanks for following up! @cey 

cey's avatar
cey
363 posts
 

aaaaaaand theres more, @skads_187 . i just listened to my mono copy of someday my prince will come, and its definitely less noisy with the mono cart...the background may not be pitch black, but got dam its quiet. the instrumentation and resolution is definitely better, more potent. so, yeah...a difference. if this is the norm, then add my experience to the consensus. 

what im really enjoying is using both channels of my tavish adagio. the into the M channel is a hana ML into a cinemag 1254 SUT; the at33mono goes into the MC input, which has an on board 1:10 jensen SUT and variable loading. i have the impedance loading at 200 ohms. 

yyyup. 

elliottbnewcombjr
7,836 posts
 

AT33PTG/II Stereo and AT33Mono: Both MC 0.3mv 10 ohm coil, 

general recommendation is 1:10 SUT and 100 ohm load. 

When I check the specs of other member's gear, especially units that have a single fixed MC input (like my Luxman SQN150 Integrated), I very often find it is a 100 ohm load

Just to say, they are ideal for those many Integrated Amps, Preamps, Phono Stage that have 100 ohm loading.

I have to say, that Grado Mono ME+ (moving magnet, replaceable stylus) sounds darn good as well as my modified AT33. I could be happy with just the Grado. The Grado is Elliptical, many are Conical.

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