Mono is based on the how the music is actually pressed into the record surface and a mono-cartridge with a conical stylus does a better job of playing mono records. Pushing the mono-button on your stereo does not do the same thing just as a stereo cartridge does not either.
With VPI's unipivot arms you can purchase a second tonearm wand for a second cartridge and the change of wands is simple. This may not be true with their gimbaled arm. As you said, if you are willing to pay a few thou more, VPI offers a very nice direct-drive turntable. At some point, it is rumored, they will offer it with the capability to use other than VPI tonearms.
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Glenn...
Canton Reference 9 Clearaudio SM Pro Focal Bathys JLA 10" Dominion Kuzma Stabi S w/MC & MM Magnepan 1,7i McIntosh MA8950 & MR88 Oppo 203 Roon Nucleus Rose Hifi RS150B Shunyata Gemini-4 Sony ST-A6B, TA-F6B, ST-J75 & PS-X75 Sorane SA1.2 & TA-1L Stillpoints LP1v2 WW Pt, Au & Ag
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