Need recommendation on mono cartridge please

Robyatt, thanks for your information. I wonder if you ever try modern mono reissue from Speaker Corners or Testament with Miyajima? The whole issue of using stereo system to cut LP instead of mono left me a bit confused and I am not sure how signifiant that is. Reading review of a mono record made by Classic Record that made a big fuss about using mono system instead of stereo system only made the picture murkier. I am not quite clear about what you said regarding Peggy Lee's reissue? I have some 1960's LP that said on the jacket that it can be played on both stereo and mono system. I assume that it is just a regular mono LP.
Look like it will have to be trial and error on some LPs. Hopefully the LP won't be too easily destroyed with one brief playing! Also thanks for information regarding VPI armwand for Miyajima, will check that out.

Jonathan, love your Atlas cartridge. Now I only have a handful of mono recordings. I have not looked much into earlier mono recordings but recently acquired some that sounded excelent, even with stereo cartridge which prompt me to explore other mono recordings more. Once I have enough LPs, I will definitely revisit Lyra's option.

Now I wonder how neccessary it is to consider phono with non-RIAA curve? It never ends :(

There appears to be a variety of theoretical constructs concerning ways of designing mono cartridges.

I wonder if all of these varying points of view will ever come together in agreement?

But as for now, my understanding is that a mono cartridge with both vertical and horizontal tracking will then make it possible for someone to play stereo recordings with that said mono cartridge.

I also understand how having both means of tracking could or would be an asset with a professionally designed mono cartridge.

What isn't clear to me however is why anyone would want to play stereo recordings with a mono cartridge or vice versa.

Aside from just being a purist; is there practical sense in playing strictly mono recordings with a mono cartridge regardless of whether its a Lyra, a Miyajima, a Grado or whatever?
(Robyn...? Jonathan...?)

Can anybody describe the improvements of the Miyajima Zero over the premium?
Also, the mono stepup Robin offers for the Miyajima looks interesting, but since my Pass xp-15 has 76db of gain would it be unneccesary for me?
Third question- Looking to expand my mono collection. Mostly looking for jazz and rock. I already have all the QRP Prestige reissues, Bob Dylan Mono set, and a few other old blue notes. Can you guys throw out a few more titles old or reissue worth hunting down? Thanks
George

I got Miyajima Zero recently and even with only about 20-30 hours of playtime so far, it has been impressive. Unfortunately I have no other mono cartridge to compare to since it is my first one. It certainly outperformed any stereo cartridges that I have playing mono LPs. I understand that Miyajima recommended using SUT with its cartridge. Unless you can reduce the gain one your Pass down to about 40 or 50 dB, SUT would not be a good idea. Currently I am using Dynavector SUP-200 with my Miyajima. Once I have about 100 hours on the cartridge, I will try other SUTs on hand for comparison. I don't have many pop/rock mono records beside QRP Bob Dylan's reissue, some mono Parlophone Beatles and am waiting for UK press of Most of the Animals to come in. A chunk of my mono LPs are operas with Thill, Callas, Bjoerling, Gigli, Furtwaengler, Walter etc. A bit of Julie London, Peggie Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday here and there.

Thanks Suteetat. I will try a mono cart without a SUT first and see how that goes.