[S Clark]

Recently, I've started buying some older Mercury Living Presence and Columbia 6 eye mono classical recordings whenever I can get them in NM condition.  I've been surprised at how they can really bring life to the music... detail, dynamics, just not much imaging info.  But compared to the $$$$ of NM stereo versions, they create the music nicely without breaking the bank.  Any other mono listeners out there?


Althought the photo is the stereo version, the mono is stunning as well.

[etcarroll]

Do you have a mono cart?

[S Clark]

Not yet, but it's high on my list.  Any recommendations for under $250

[DaveyW]

Hi Scott,
I've got quite a few mono classicals (HMV, Decca, Columbia) one of my fav's is Joan Sutherland Sings Bellini - Decca LXT 6192
It especially sounds pretty impressive.

Do you have a mono cart?

What's your experience on this Gene?
What does a decent mono cart deliver over a good 2 channel unit?
Thanks
Dave

[canzld]

I have quite a few mono classical LP as well. I find the sound quality can be extremely good, with good tone and dynamics - freq range may not equal todays recordings, but for me it's not an issue.Just think of the imaging as sitting further back in the concert hall  .  More important to the sound is correctly matching EQ curves on early mono, when all the companies were doing their own thing, before standardised RIAA EQ.  Haven't ventured into mono carts (yet) - my standard stereo cart seems to do a pretty good job. As an aside, I would steer clear of mono simmed to stereo - usually they are a disaster.

[etcarroll]

What's your experience on this Gene?
What does a decent mono cart deliver over a good 2 channel unit?
Thanks
Dave

Dave -

I've about 20 or so Shaded Dog monos, and have been following the experience of a bloke on another forum with his mono cart, that's the extant of my experience. Based on his findings, I do want to get another arm for my VPI to mount a mono cart. Some of his findings;

"On vintage mono records the grooves are wider than they are on stereo LPs.  They are also U shaped rather than V shaped.  A geniune mono cart has no vertical compliance.  The stylus only moves in the horizontal plane.  Thus, using a mono cartridge on these LPs will yield better sound and less noise."

- and -

"If your goal is really to play mono audiophile reissues pressed on 180g or 200g vinyl then do not waste your time and money on a mono cartridge.  To my knowledge all LPs pressed today are cut on modern stereo cutting heads.  No one is making mono LPs with U shaped grooves.  Using a spherical stylus on these records will wear them out prematurely and they will not sound as good on a mono cart as they would with a modern stereo cartridge."

[S Clark]

Interesting.  Does anyone here at AC have experience with Mono cartridges?

[lazydays]

I can't say a lot for the other stuff, but I can recommend the Toscaninni boxed sets in mono. I bought several for about four dollars each at the Half price Book Store.
gary

[DaveyW]

Thanks Gene,
I play my Mono pressings on a 2nd deck, but even this is generally equipped with at least a fine line stylus.
Will mull this one over, maybe I should get another sled for the Dual and a mono cart - easy enough then to swap in and out.

Still not sure if it's really worth it though?

I too would be very interested in anyone's experiences of switching between mono and stereo carts for mono playback.

Thanks again,
Dave