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OK...I've ditched my mono cartridge

Like many others I suspect, after the Beatles Mono release Box Set
http://i.imgur.com/JhcIBai.jpg
I read a lot about the 'supposed' benefits of a true mono cartridge over simply using the 'mono' button in a phono-stage/preamp.
So I was persuaded to try one (without breaking the bank).
http://i.imgur.com/yHeUiPH.jpg
It's now been 18 months of listening and comparing the AT 33Mono
http://i.imgur.com/C3bAOfA.jpg
with all my other favourite stereo cartridges played with the mono button on the Halcro DM10 preamp.
Firstly...I'm not a fan of the AT33 sound. Compared to my short-listed dozen cartridges out of the 80+ I have owned, it lacks sparkle, depth, bass and 'life'...😩
Why have I narrowed down my worldwide search for the 'ideal' cartridge to a mere handful....to then just meekly accept the second rate performance of a 'hack' cartridge simply because it's a 'true' mono?
And why would anyone who has invested in a Koetsu Coralstone, Atlas, Anna, Goldfinger or Airtight for their stereo listening pleasure.....'step-down' to a lesser cartridge for their mono listening?
Oh...I know you can buy better sounding mono cartridges than the AT-33Mono.....but how many are you going to try to hope to match your favourite stereo ones?
Now that I've ditched the 33Mono.....I can listen to all my great cartridges with all their diverse flavours just as I do for stereo recordings.
And I never really did hear a special difference in the dedicated 'mono' one even though I half persuaded myself that I should...🤓
128x128halcro
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
5,112 posts
 
Thanks Halcro....I suspected that all along...just never could understand a mono cartridge.
moonglum
605 posts
 

Yes, it makes perfect sense Halcro but this is of course assuming one has a mono switch ;^) :)

Minimalist functionality has its price ;^)

(Instead I have a "combiner" box that can be used to sum 2 channels. It's a bit of a hassle hooking it up though....)

jtnicolosi's avatar
jtnicolosi
71 posts
 
I did the same. I was inspired by The Beatles box, went all out with a Miyajima Zero setup (including SUT and mono phono pre), but finally concluded it was slightly irrational to justify the expense with only 100 or so mono albums. 80% of those were reissues anyway, so they were cut with a stereo lathe.

That said where the mono cartridge fanatics are correct is with original mono albums (pre 1964 I believe). The few old jazz albums I have sounded amazing with the mono cart, and noticeably superior to the mono switch on my phono pre.

So I agree with you but with the large caveat that for those with an extensive original mono collection, a true mono cart is indeed the best option.
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