WTB Denon DL-102 or other mono cartridge

Want to Buy
Mine is not going to be pried from my hands anytime soon, but if you can get your hands on a used Lyra Helikon Mono, it's a gem (figuratively, and literally, given the stylus). I can't compare it to an SPU as (a) I don't have access to listen to one and (b) I don't have that sort of money, but the Helikon is a fantastic cart.
 
I've heard good things about the Ortofon MC Quintet Mono, BTW, but that's a McKinley-worth of cartridge (and it still won't be as quiet as a Helikon or Ortofon due to the coil design).

-D
 
I'm thinking I might just start with the better of the two plastic Grados. It will give me a good flavour of the mono world for not a huge expenditure. Plus, I've always liked Grados take on music.
 
@Prime Minister Isn't the Grado just a stereo cartridge strapped internally? I've been a happy user of the Denon DL102 for over 10 years. Hard to beat for under $300 and it's a true mono cartridge that can play stereo LPs safely.
 
je2a3 said:
@Prime Minister Isn't the Grado just a stereo cartridge strapped internally? I've been a happy user of the Denon DL102 for over 10 years. Hard to beat for under $300 and it's a true mono cartridge that can play stereo LPs safely.
Click to expand...

Nope. It's a true mono. They Angle the coils differently inside.

The advantage, I think, of the Grado for me is that it would be more compliant with my medium mass arm, then would the Denon, which wants a high mass arm.
 
Prime Minister said:
Nope. It's a true mono. They Angle the coils differently inside.

The advantage, I think, of the Grado for me is that it would be more compliant with my medium mass arm, then would the Denon, which wants a high mass arm.
Click to expand...

I see...similar to what Ortofon did to the SPU mono.
 
Prime Minister said:
Nope. It's a true mono. They Angle the coils differently inside.

The advantage, I think, of the Grado for me is that it would be more compliant with my medium mass arm, then would the Denon, which wants a high mass arm.
Click to expand...
If you get the Grado please do a review. I could use a mono cart in the kit bag...
 
Thread resurrection, @Prime Minister , any report on the Grado monaural cartridge? I inherited quite a few monaural albums from my aunt. I’d love to give a try to a mono cart that doesn’t break the bank.
 
The AT 33 Mono should not be forgotten. More of a modern take than the Denon 102, and still true single-coil mono with vertical compliance. Never having heard the SPU mono, I shouldn't (and won't) judge, but one of the things that put me off it (besides the stereo name on a mono cartridge) was the fact that it isn't a single coil but an "adjusted" stereo cartridge. Would love to one time hear one though, b/c something at the back of my mind says it might have a bit more drama than the AT.
 
Jeroen E. said:
The AT 33 Mono should not be forgotten. More of a modern take than the Denon 102, and still true single-coil mono with vertical compliance. Never having heard the SPU mono, I shouldn't (and won't) judge, but one of the things that put me off it (besides the stereo name on a mono cartridge) was the fact that it isn't a single coil but an "adjusted" stereo cartridge. Would love to one time hear one though, b/c something at the back of my mind says it might have a bit more drama than the AT.
Click to expand...

Sounds similar to the Helikon mono, which used two coils (so you could drive from either channel or from both for slightly more output), but they were arranged in parallel to the surface of the record (e.g. vertical compliance was allowed, but would not register electrically) rather than at the standard 45 degree angles to the surface of the record as with a stereo cartridge. From what I understand, this is the preferred way to build a mono cartridge (although my scholarship in this regard is somewhat lacking). I'm unsure as to the SPU coil arrangement as the SPU is rather a unique beast, but I'd be surprised if their coils were not arranged horizontally (e.g. I can't see Ortofon cheaping out at those prices).
 
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