Mono Cart v Mono Switch v both together

[Tea24]

Which is the best combination - gives the best results? I am tempted by the Denon DL -102, but will it better my mono switch? Anybody know ehere it can be obtained in Europe by the way?

[Tea24]

Bump! What! Nobody amongst you knowledgeable lot has any idea/ opinion on this?

[stewartwen]

Yup I have a little experience with record players. I have a mono spug and always use it with the mono switch on my pre in the on postion.
S

[hifi_dave]

A 'proper' mono cartridge responds to lateral movement and not to vertical, which is what you need to play mono records. Surface noise is lower with a 'proper' mono cartridge.

[BTH K10A]

I have a DL-102 and a few other mono cartridges..

The Denon is a very capable cartridge that will give far less surface noise than a stereo cartridge via a mono switch.

As the Denon was designed to play both mono and stereo records in AM radio stations broadcasting in mono and it can also make a dramatic improvement to those early ping pong stereo recordings.

It compares favourably against my EMT TMD25 and is IMHO good value for money

I ordered mine many years ago direct from Audiocubes. They still stock them and offer a quality delivery service

http://www.audiocubes2.com/brand/Denon/product/Denon_DL-102_Moving_Coil_Cartridge.html

Don't be fooled by the stated frequency response as this is just the range Denon tests on the supplied trace where response is 50hz to 10khz + 2db. They test 20hz to 20khz + 3db

http://www3.sympatico.ca/murraya/DenonMonoPage.htm

Also be aware that at 13g you may need a heavier counterweight to balance one.

Andy