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
That's completely unnecessary with a true mono cartridge. It will make no difference since the channels are already summed (which is all the mono switch does anyway). All you are doing is adding in circuitry that isn't needed. If you think it sounds better, maybe it's just noise shaping on your phono-stage from the mono switch that you happen to like. |
@lewm No, I disagree. I think it's a great example of what a real mono cartridge brings to the table. |
I think you are disagreeing with something I did not say. I only advised using a mono switch, if you have one, with a mono cartridge. I could agree that is like wearing a belt and suspenders, both. But if your mono cartridge is actually a stereo cartridge in which the two channels are bridged, as many are, the mono switch might further help. This does not include your Lyra or a Miyajima mono, or any of several other true mono cartridges. |
