Mono cartridge

[Tea24]

I have been thinking of getting a dedicated mono cartridge for my set up and have eventually decided that if I do I should go for the Ortofon OM D25M. I originally thought of a Denon DL 102, but it is a) more expensive & b) not really meant for large groove Mono LPs, but for playing Stereo LPs over the airwaves & c) I would need the extra weight for my Jelco arm thus adding considerably to the cost. I am aware that the Ortofon is not a true mono cart but the extra stylus size would be an advantage in reducing noise I think.

A few questions:

Has anyone any first hand knowledge of this cartridge?

It has a 25um (is this1mm?) stylus. Will this ruin any stereo record I accidentally play it on after a jar or two?

How do I tell which of my fairly extensive collection of Mono LPs are later small ‘Stereo Type’ groove & which earlier larger groove?

At what date did the transfer to Stereo start?

[DSJR]

Playing a mono record with a decent modern elliptical tip "shouldn't" be a major issue and just switching the amp to mono (or linking the white and red cartridge pins/wires) should be all you need to do in all honesty.

1950's mono records (can't speak for 60's ones) may need a slightly larger tip though. My advice would be to ask Expert Styli for their advice before you go and spend silly money on summat you may not need. By the way, a chap I know who specialises in digitising 78's and old LP's swears by EsCo and has bought several different Ortofons from them. The replacement styli they supply (may be quality-checked third party ones) are reasonable price as well (well under £20 for a Shure M75-EJ replacement) and they are a long established and trusted party for rebuilds of old classics too.

[Tea24]

Thanks for that DSJR. I have a funny feeling you may be right & my Graham Slee Jazz Club phono stage has a Mono switch.

Cannot find Esco on Googling though; have you got a better name for them that I can try?

It is just that my rebuilt/ new plinthed/new bearing Lenco [not done by me: totally incapable!] is turning up soon & with the new Jelco arm I look forward to having fun trying various cartridges etc.

(P.S. I took your advice some 18 months/2 years ago re. buying a Quad 606/2 to drive my KEF 104/2s & have never looked back!)

[DSJR]

Thanks :) :cool:

Expert Stylus is the name and Googling should give you an address and phone number at least - they don't have a website.

No offence to other cartridge re-builders, but I do know the chap who "does the digitising" is very serious about his work and trusts EsCo absolutely...

http://www.78tours.com/Expert_Stylus_Company.htm

The phone number may be slightly different (01372 instead of 1372?)..

[WOStantonCS100]

Has anyone used or does anyone here still use an:

Audio Technica AT-MONO3/LP
Denon DL 102
Ortofon (SPU's or Cadenza)
Grado ME+ or MC+

Shelter 501 II ???


By no grand design, I have mono pressings from Bing Crosby & Hoagy Carmichael on Decca (that resemble 78's and, I assume, are 50's) to late 60's mono versions of albums that were put out in both mono and stereo versions. I'd prefer a cartridge that will play both and not do damage to either

No mono switch on the Bottlehead's; so, that's not an option.