stereo cartridge with mono LPs

puroagave

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Sep 29, 2011
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im starting to acquire more mono reissues on LP. I dont have a dedicated mono set-up (cartridge and preamp facilities). i'm interested in observations from those that have heard the recent BN mono reissues for example, with both mono and stereo cartridges. I understand the technical issues but are you missing much in SQ if using a stereo cartridge to play a mono LP?
 

jazdoc

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Aug 7, 2010
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Rob,

The better the system, the more you will hear the difference between a dedicated mono set up versus a stereo cartridge with a mono button on the preamp. As examples, the MusicMatters mono reissues of Paul Chambers' "Whims of Chambers", Louis Smith's "Smithville" and Kenny Dorham's "Afro-Cuban" all sound terrific with a Benz LPS stereo cartridge but are taken to a different level played with my Miyajima Premium BE. Since I purchased the Miyajima, I probably buy equal numbers of mono and stereo jazz pressings. With few exceptions, I prefer the sound of the monos. I recently picked up a minty first pressing of "Kind of Blue" and it was truly like experiencing this warhorse for the first time.

Feel free to PM
 

Mike Lavigne

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Apr 25, 2010
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Rob,

The better the system, the more you will hear the difference between a dedicated mono set up versus a stereo cartridge with a mono button on the preamp. As examples, the MusicMatters mono reissues of Paul Chambers' "Whims of Chambers", Louis Smith's "Smithville" and Kenny Dorham's "Afro-Cuban" all sound terrific with a Benz LPS stereo cartridge but are taken to a different level played with my Miyajima Premium BE. Since I purchased the Miyajima, I probably buy equal numbers of mono and stereo jazz pressings. With few exceptions, I prefer the sound of the monos. I recently picked up a minty first pressing of "Kind of Blue" and it was truly like experiencing this warhorse for the first time.

Feel free to PM

+1

you need a mono cartridge. with the best mono pressings on a mono cartridge you won't be aware that they are mono unless someone tells you. very direct and unfiltered sound. and your brain relaxes with the mono signal in same ways. maybe it's not doing as much processing.
 

puroagave

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Thanks guys. What are your favorite mono cartridges up to $1k?

i'll have to keep an eye out for a used JMW 10" arm wand, i have the older obsolete version no longer produced. ill also need a kosher way to sum the channels between the phono pre amp and line stage.
 

Mike Lavigne

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Apr 25, 2010
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Thanks guys. What are your favorite mono cartridges up to $1k?

i'll have to keep an eye out for a used JMW 10" arm wand, i have the older obsolete version no longer produced. ill also need a kosher way to sum the channels between the phono pre amp and line stage.

like Jazdoc i use the Miyajima Mono Premium Be and love it. it's $1200 retail. beats my $8600 Ortofon MC Anna (mounted on the Durand Telos) on most mono pressings.
 

jazdoc

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The Miyajima is now just a smidge over $1k retail but this is high end audio so there is always room to haggle! The Miyajima is a pretty hefty cartridge so it's worth checking compatibility with whatever arm you are contemplating pairing it with.

I don't really have much experience with other mono cartridges but would love to compare with a Ortofon SPU , Benz ACE, and Lyra Dorian monos. The Denon 102 would be a relatively inexpensive entry into a mono cartridge and would free up more funds for more mono records!
 
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