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Need recommendation on mono cartridge please

Recently I acquired quite a bit of mono LPs, mostly operas, classical music and a few Beatles. I think it might be fun to try mono cartrige. It will go on my Classic 3. Locally, 2 that would be readily available are Lyra or Miyajima. I would say that Lyra Kleos mono or Miyajima Kansui mono would be my upper limit. However, I think Kansui's low compliance probably would not work with JWM 10.5. I could probably burrow Kansui stereo on JWM first to see if it might work but I tried other low compliance cartridges on JWM 10.5 and did not the result very much (Koetsu Rosewood and Onyx). I already have Lyra Atlas in my system so I think something different from Lyra would be more interesting. If anything, I prefer more full body, warmer side of neutral, more emphasis on tonal color than detail if that might be of any help. MM, MI or MC would be fine. If MC, I would be using it with SUT into Lamm LP2 MM input most likely.

Thanks for any suggestion.
suteetat
lewm
6,770 posts
 
I have not taken the mono plunge yet, but many speak well of the Miyajima Premium BE mono. There is a less expensive version of the same cartridge without the "BE" designation, just called the "Premium". So far as I can tell, the only difference between the two is that the BE has a black ebony body, whereas the Premium uses some other kind of ebony. This is based on info at the Miyajima website; the US distributor once wrote that there is a functional difference as well, FWIW. I don't know what to think.

There is an AT mono cartridge always available on eBay for just under $500. Might be a place to start.
jazdoc
363 posts
 
I happily own a Miyajima Premium BE and it's an easy recommendation. Although I have not heard one in my system, the Denon 102 might offer a cost-effective way to get started with mono.
suteetat OP
435 posts
 
Lyra helikon is out of productions now and only Kleos and Titan has mono version. Miyajima supposedly just announced a new mono cartridge as well . Look like mono cartridge compliance is not as low as its stereo counterpart so may be it would work with my VPI better.
suteetat OP
435 posts
 
I am a bit confused now about mono LPs. I started looking through my collections and try to determine which is mono and I am having a bit of a problem. I understand that pretty much anything before 1958 will be mono. The problematic period is 1958-196? I understand that usually there should be a code or something on the LP/jacket stating mono or stereo.
I suppose listening to it, I should be able to tell but I think I am having some difficulties especially with piano recording. Does not seem very obvious sometimes.
Also somewhere I read that if it is a mono reissue after 1960's, ie recent reissue of Glen Gould Goldberg variation (1955 mono version), I should not use mono cartridge as it is now cut for stereo cartridge. Is that correct?
Reading about how mono cartridge may damage groove of stereo LP makes me a bit wary about trial and error using both my stereo and mono cartridge.

Thanks for your help.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,033 posts
 
Remembers me to "I have a car but no driving license...."
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