Mono Ortofon Cart

[Squishman]

If anyone is interested, Andrew at Parlogram on Youtube will be reviewing the white Ortofon 2M Mono cartridge on next week's video. He usually posts on Sundays, so that would be 7-27-25. https://www.youtube.com/@Parlogram

 

[TLS Guy]

If anyone is interested, Andrew at Parlogram on Youtube will be reviewing the white Ortofon 2M Mono cartridge on next week's video. He usually posts on Sundays, so that would be 7-27-25. https://www.youtube.com/@Parlogram

The Decca FFSS PU heads from the earliest days of stereo in 1958 where designed to be entirely mono compatible. That is because the coils were not at 45/45 degrees to the record surface. One coil was horizontal as it would be in a mono cartridge and the other coil vertical. So it played a mono record like a mono cartridge. The downside was slightly less vertical compliance than horizontal compliance.

My Decca cartridge playing the first LP I ever bought, age 8 back in 1955.

 

[Squishman]

The Decca FFSS PU heads from the earliest days of stereo in 1958 where designed to be entirely mono compatible. That is because the coils were not at 45/45 degrees to the record surface. One coil was horizontal as it would be in a mono cartridge and the other coil vertical. So it played a mono record like a mono cartridge. The downside was slightly less vertical compliance than horizontal compliance.

My Decca cartridge playing the first LP I ever bought, age 8 back in 1955.

How does that record sound now?

 

[TLS Guy]

How does that record sound now?

I will play it for you when you come over.

 

[Squishman]

Watching this now. Looks interesting. If I could do over, I'd get a turntable where I could switch out the headshells. Am I missing out here bigtime by not getting a mono cart since I have enough mono vinyl to justify it? I mean that would mean getting a new tt. No room for two here. My AVR has one phono input, but that "don't make no never mind" since a guy could always get a preamp or a tt with one built in. But not going that route.

 

[Squishman]

Ok......... forget all that! The cart alone is over $400. Then a new turntable? I'm out!

 

[TLS Guy]

Watching this now. Looks interesting. If I could do over, I'd get a turntable where I could switch out the headshells. Am I missing out here bigtime by not getting a mono cart since I have enough mono vinyl to justify it? I mean that would mean getting a new tt. No room for two here. My AVR has one phono input, but that "don't make no never mind" since a guy could always get a preamp or a tt with one built in. But not going that route.

That is not practical, as you would have to set the turntable up again with each change, unless the cartridges were identical in every way including weight.

So the best solution would be two turntables. The only other options is to buy a vintage Decca ffss rig, but that will really do a wallet biopsy. By the time you buy a turntable without arm, and ffss p.u. arm and headshell you will have to remortgage your trailer home.

 

[Squishman]

That is not practical, as you would have to set the turntable up again with each change, unless the cartridges were identical in every way including weight.

So the best solution would be two turntables. The only other options is to buy a vintage Decca ffss rig, but that will really do a wallet biopsy. By the time you buy a turntable without arm, and ffss p.u. arm and headshell you will have to remortgage your trailer home.

45+ years ago, I had two headshells for a Technics DD TT. Both were stereo. Can't remember what they were, I've had Stantons, but mostly Audio Technica's iirc. Both were stereo, but one was better, so I only used the crappier one on sub-par records, like my brother's. ha. But what I did was super glue tiny washers to the one that was lighter, even using fiber washers to get the weight idenical to the other one. I don't recall what I did about tracking, probably just eyed it up! So yeah, not exactly optimal. Not to worry, I have none of those records in my collection anymore!