Second headshell and cart for mono

[thelostark]

I have a SME 3009/II unimproved with a Denon DL 103 and now want to get a second headshell and second cartridge for playing my early 60's mono jazz lp's. I only have about a dozen of them, so I don't want to spend my money on a second turntable or second arm. But the classic Y adapter solution isn't for me either.

So I was wondering, what would be the perfect mono cart for me? A DL 102 - or an AT Mono 3/LP? Any other suggestions?

In other words: Is there a way to just change headshells on my 3009/II and not having to do anything else whenever I want to listen to a mono lp?

 

[beatcomber]

I suspect that arm won't be mass-y enough for a DL-102 (which has been discontinued anyway).

I'd be looking at one of the Grado mono carts.

(My own mono solution was to restore/re-plinth an old Rek-O-Kut with a massive 12" ROK 160 arm and GE VRII, seen in my avatar.)

 

[muovimies]

The AT Mono 3/LP looks very attractive at around $100, I've been playing with the idea myself but not sure I have enough mono records to justify the cost.

It does have considerably high output of 1.2mV, which is like 2-5 times the output of a typical LOMC but less than half of a typical MM, so it falls a bit in between. What that means for your setup I suppose you'd have to find out The internal impedance seems to be 40 ohms and AT recommends loading of 400-47k.

 

[Sandstrom]

The AT Mono 3/LP looks very attractive at around $100, I've been playing with the idea myself but not sure I have enough mono records to justify the cost.

It does have considerably high output of 1.2mV, which is like 2-5 times the output of a typical LOMC but less than half of a typical MM, so it falls a bit in between. What that means for your setup I suppose you'd have to find out The internal impedance seems to be 40 ohms and AT recommends loading of 400-47k.

That does seem like a nice cart for the money, never heard one, reminds me of the DL-102 but for a nice bit less. Looks like the 78 version of this cart is also around the same price.

Will have to look up the specs, not sure if this would be a good match to your SME or not, I wouldn't think your 103 would necessarily play it's best on that arm either, how does it sound? Do you have any extra weight added?.

 

[Sandstrom]

I have looked around on the web to try and find some info on this cart, not a lot out there but it does sound like it is rather low compliance and might not be the best option for your SME, beatcomber's suggestion of a Grado might be your best option although I believe these are not "true" mono cartridges and think these would effectively be an internally wired version of the summed signal that you mentioned not wanting. If you are serious about a true mono approach you might want to get a second arm or even turntable. I have experimented with a lot of mono cartridges as well as listening with stereo carts either with the Y cable "trick" or using the mono button on my preamp and it really isn't that bad of an option. Especially if you don't desire the added expense or space requirements of a separate arm or table.

 

[muovimies]

Don't know about the Grado, but the AT is a true mono cart, so is the Ortofon 2M Mono and many carts in their SPU range, I'm sure there's true mono carts from other mfgs as well. The cartridge having 4 pins at the back doesn't mean it has a stereo generator, it's just more convenient to use in modern day systems. If Grado markets their cart as mono, I'm inclided to think it truly is, anything else would be just stupid.

As for the AT compliance, it is specified at 100Hz, so in practice I think it should be ok in a medium mass arm - it seems to have similar figure to AT95e, but maybe someone actually has that cart and can chime in.

 

[heyraz]

You're gonna open up a can of worms, especially if the mono cartridge needs a different pivot height to get the VTA correct.
Even then, you'll have to re-adjust the lateral balance, tracking force, anti-skate, and possibly the azimuth to optimize each time you swap cartridges.

See why people put more than one arm on their tables?

 

[hesson11]

Doesn't Grado just take a regular stereo generator and bridge the channels to create a mono effect?

No. When will this rumor ever die?!?

"The ME+ is not, like so many mono cartridges out there, a stock stereo model bridged for mono, but a true mono design. "In our stereo cartridges," John Grado explains, "the coils are mounted in an X configuration, with each line of the X representing a signal, one for the left and one for the right channel. In our mono cartridge, the coils are mounted in an = configuration, so they pick up only the lateral signal.'"

http://www.stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-2

 

[Frank Sol]

I only have about a dozen of them (mono LPs), so I don't want to spend my money on a second turntable or second arm.

For 12 or so mono LPs I would use the 103 you have.

 

[Mark B]

for 12 or so mono lps i would use the 103 you have.

+ 1

 

[Montycat]

For 12 or so mono LPs I would use the 103 you have.

+2

Not really an answer to your question I realize but for the few 78s that I might happen to play on my Dual 1019 I simply bought a 78 stylus for a Shure M91ed that I already had mounted. I just have to up the VTF a bit. For your sort of limited use I would also suggest the easiest solution

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Yes, and the DL-103 you have is superb for mono use. So much so, I feel no need for a mono cartridge. And I have a lot more than 12 or so mono LP discs.

 

[beatcomber]

+2

Not really an answer to your question I realize but for the few 78s that I might happen to play on my Dual 1019 I simply bought a 78 stylus for a Shure M91ed that I already had mounted. I just have to up the VTF a bit. For your sort of limited use I would also suggest the easiest solution

The Shure N78S works beautifully with an M91ED, M95ED or M97xE body.