Mono Cartridges

[jazdoc]

Gang,

I'm on the waiting list for a Schroeder Reference arm that will be the 2nd arm on my Stelvio. I'm currently running the table with the Triplanar VII/Dynavector XV1-S combo. Since I've purchased a Loricraft RCM, I've been rediscovering a lot of great mono records in my collection and I've been the lucky recipient of a couple hundred older classical records. (Listening to Miles Davis' "Sketches of Spain" as I type...absolutely beautiful!)

So...I'm pretty excited about having one tonearm/cartridge combo dedicated to mono. For cartridges, I'm thinking about the Lyras, Dynavector, Denon and Miyabi. Any thoughts regarding which arm cartridge combination? What are others using?

I've also been looking for a phono preamp with dedicated mono. So far, the Tron looks like the best contender but I'll bet either Art Audio or Nick Doshi would be willing to customize one. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Mark

[Dan_ed]

Hi Mark,

I've never had the collection to worry much about mono so I can't offer any first hand experience. Perhaps if you are happy with the xv-1s the mono version would work for you? Of course Doug and Paul would steer you toward ZYX. Others seem to be happy with the Titan mono.

Nick will build what ever you want.

[jazdoc]

Dan,

I'd love to speak with you offline regarding your experience with Nick and your impressions of the preamps.

Mark

[Salectric]

Mark,

I don't have enough mono records to justify the purchase, but if I were in your position I would look at both the Miyabe Mono (reviewed by Art Dudley in the Dec '08 Stereophile) and the Miyajima Mono. The latter is a new entry you can read about in Jerry Siegel's review:

http://www.10audio.com/miyajima_shilabe.htm

As a reference point, Jerry's previous reference was a Benz LP in a Triplanar. (I would gladly settle for a Benz LP......)

I really like Sketches of Spain. I had a somewhat scratchy stereo 6-eye that I played for Thom when he heard my system way back in 2004. I bought a reissue from Classic I believe, thinking it would be an improvement. NOT!! However, with a little patience, I was able to find a near-mint stereo 6-eye, and it sounds great. These "audiophile" reissues almost always sound inferior to the originals, in my opinion at least. I would much rather put up with some noise and even some occasional distortion from previous owners than listen to the squeaky clean reissues that have managed to scrub all the musical life out of the recording.

Dave

[jazdoc]

Dave,

Thanks for the suggestion of the Miyajima...looks interesting! I just read Art Dudley's review. I've always liked the sound of the Miyabi. Do you know anyone who has tried the mono?

I just got a mint original mono "Sketches of Spain" and I completely agree with your observation. One of the great things about a Galibier turntable has been rediscovering the great performances and sound of some of my older recordings that I thought didn't sound good on my Linn Sondek. It sure makes visiting the local record shops more interesting. Now I look for old mono records whereas before I would avoid them. I also now would rather spend the money on a mint original than a new reissue.

Mark

[Salectric]

Mark,

The original mono is definitely the one to have. It turns out I had my facts a little mixed up. My first copy of Sketches of Spain and the one I played for Thom is a stereo 6-eye (marked "1G"). After buying the stereo Classic and being sorely disappointed, I came across a 6-eye mono ("1A"). So my two originals include one stereo and one mono. I just listened to both of those using a stereo cartridge, my Benz L2 woodbody, with some interesting results. I put the stereo on first and thought, hey this sounds very nice, pretty nice tonal balance and a very wide stage with nice placement of instruments. Then I put the mono on and discovered what I had been missing. First, the absence of the stereo imaging was actually a good thing. The stereo mix is too artificial with the jazz instruments up close and the orchestra much farther back. The wide stage sounds contrived compared to the natural presentation of the mono mix. More importantly, the mono has a natural fatness and a natural midrange presence that just sound so much more real to me. On the stereo mix Miles' trumpet is actually a little thin sounding; not so on the mono pressing. Also, the mono is very dynamic and has a smooth, natural seamlessness in the transition between mids and treble.

I can only imagine what the mono pressing would sound like with a true mono cartridge.

Dave

[jazdoc]

Gang,

Joel has kindly allowed me to break in his new Miyajima mono cartridge on my Triplanar tonearm. I'm running it through an ancient Linn Linto phono preamp. My experience over the past month has been revelatory. I would strongly encourage anyone who has a stack of mono LPs to find a way to listen with a dedicated mono cartridge...WOW! I've compared the sound to a Dynavector XV1-S mounted on a Talea running through a modded K&K phono stage and it's no contest...The Miyajima mono is the clear winner for mono LPs. I've own ~150 mono jazz LPs and having a great time re-discovering my mono collection. I've found that the Columbia, Contemporary and Impulse monos from the late 50's and 60's are particularly excellent. Unfortunately, I don't own an original Blue Note Mono to compare. (You could buy the Miyajima for the cost of one of those!) My mono "Mingus Ah Um" and "Duke Elllington Meets Coleman Hawkins" are amongst the best sounding albums I own. There is a harmonic richness and ambiance to well recorded mono that only great stereo recordings can best. Best of all, you can often find these at reasonable prices on Ebay. Can't imagine what a Dynavector XV1-S mono does

As a result, I am going to purchase a dedicated mono step-up from Experience Music.

Regards,
Mark Z

[galibier_numero_un]

Not much time for details, other than to echo what Mark says.

The Myajima seems to like mass. While not as good of an arm as the Tri-Planar, the Artisan is a better mass match. I'm thinking 18-22 grams is where we want to be with this cartridge, but even with the "lowly" Artisan, this is nothing short of amazing. Get one of these cartridges before Robin Wyatt wises up and triples the price of them.

I can only imagine what the XV1s mono is like.

Cheers,
Thom

[SooSmith]

Just bought about 5 of them.
That suits you those perfect uninstaller accompanied by? The main truth about six pack abs is actually first rate if you carry out doing it utilizing the salehoo review concurrently.

[Salectric]

You bought 5 of what? Myajimas? If so, why?

Dave

[galibier_numero_un]

He's listening in 5-channel

Thom

[Salectric]

Good thing I'm still stuck with stereo. Two would be enough for me.

Dave