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Why use a mono cartridge
STEREO RECORDS
Stereo records contain left-right information on each side of the groove-walls. The walls are angled at 45 degrees from vertical. Both horizontal and vertical information is presented to the cartridge generator.
Mono Records
Stylus movement when playing a mono record is side to side (horizontal) with no vertical movement. Mono cartridges are designed to trace the horizontal movement only. A mono-designed cartridge will help with the noise floor and present a better detailed representation of the mono recording. The results are amazing.Stylus size for the widest use (old 1950 and new 1960) is .7 mil, which is my preference. If only 1950 era recordings are played, you may use a 1 mil.If you have many mono records, a Miyajima mono cartridge is the best I have found for reproduction. Ortofon has an excellent entry-level cartridge.Ortofon has an excellent explanation of record grooves at: ortofon.com
Debunking LP Record Weights and Clamps
by George Merrill
The LP record ranges in weight from approximately 80 grams (Dynaflex 1969) to 200 grams. Most pressings weigh from 100 to 130 grams. One reason the heavier and thicker records sound better is the vinyl will not vibrate to the degree as the lightweight records. The 180 and 200-gram records are the choice for less vibration and can render better sound. The rule is simple, the more damping applied to the LP, the better it sounds. This result can be obtained from its own vinyl mass or external. To achieve the best external damping, the record vinyl needs to come in total contact with a vibration-damping material (mat). In the past, a few record mats have used small rings or points to support the record in a few places. This flies in the face of common logic.
Holding the record to a damping material is the job of weights and clamps. An LP record's label is thicker than the vinyl playing surface. The label varies from approximately 20 to 60 thousandth of an inch thicker than the vinyl. A record mat will have a depression in the center to allow the record vinyl to lay flat, otherwise, the label would be the only contact point. If a center weight is used that is very heavy, let's say 2 lb. the lighter records will lift from the mat. This happens because the mat depression edge will act as a fulcrum. This information tells us we should use a center weight tuned for the record thickness and weight. However, this is impractical. Here is the solution: Use a center weight that weighs 8-12 oz . This weight will work with all but the lighter records. The alternative to a weight is the screw-down clamp. These clamps have pluses and minuses. The plus is downforce on the record can be controlled. The minus is if not designed properly (unfortunately, most are not), spindle energy is coupled into the record. It takes very little intrusion of external energy to cloud the mechanical output of the stylus. (I wrote a paper on proper screw-down clamp design over 30 years ago.)
The best answer is the periphery clamping weight along with a center weight. The weight balance between these two should be calculated for even and optimal downforce on the entire vinyl area.
As the stylus traces the groove, energy is radiated in all directions; as it reaches the periphery of the record, it is then reflected back into the groove area. The periphery clamp will help damp this edge energy before it is reflected into the groove area. The center weight also acts as a damper. The first production periphery clamp was used on the Merrill Heirloom Turntable 1980. Kenwood also introduced theirs about the same time. Other manufacturers are now discovering the benefits of this type of clamp system.
Holding the record to a damping material is the job of weights and clamps. An LP record's label is thicker than the vinyl playing surface. The label varies from approximately 20 to 60 thousandth of an inch thicker than the vinyl. A record mat will have a depression in the center to allow the record vinyl to lay flat, otherwise, the label would be the only contact point. If a center weight is used that is very heavy, let's say 2 lb. the lighter records will lift from the mat. This happens because the mat depression edge will act as a fulcrum. This information tells us we should use a center weight tuned for the record thickness and weight. However, this is impractical. Here is the solution: Use a center weight that weighs 8-12 oz . This weight will work with all but the lighter records. The alternative to a weight is the screw-down clamp. These clamps have pluses and minuses. The plus is downforce on the record can be controlled. The minus is if not designed properly (unfortunately, most are not), spindle energy is coupled into the record. It takes very little intrusion of external energy to cloud the mechanical output of the stylus. (I wrote a paper on proper screw-down clamp design over 30 years ago.)
The best answer is the periphery clamping weight along with a center weight. The weight balance between these two should be calculated for even and optimal downforce on the entire vinyl area.
As the stylus traces the groove, energy is radiated in all directions; as it reaches the periphery of the record, it is then reflected back into the groove area. The periphery clamp will help damp this edge energy before it is reflected into the groove area. The center weight also acts as a damper. The first production periphery clamp was used on the Merrill Heirloom Turntable 1980. Kenwood also introduced theirs about the same time. Other manufacturers are now discovering the benefits of this type of clamp system.