[kenreau]

I've recently jumped back into vinyl and started collecting some old favorites that are mono mix. I really enjoy the 50s to 60s classic jazz (Ella, Miles, Cannonball, et al) and 60s rock (Dylan, Hendrix, et al).

My former Joule Electra preamp had a "mono" button but my current Modwright does not. My Shelter 501 cartridge is the standard stereo model.

Are there any set-up changes I should make to get the most enjoyment out of the mono mixes? I'm think more in terms of swapping some ic cables (maybe a "Y" connector? or?) that are relatively inexpensive and quick/easy to do in order to spin a few mono albums at a time.

I do see a number of mono cartridges being offered (including the Shelter 501) now, but having a high quality secondary mono cartridge / headshell is way beyond my current means.  Plus the mono cartridges are so much more expensive.  My tonearm is a SME 309 so I could have a separate headshell/mono cartridge if it was relatively inexpensive (say under $200) and worth the hassles.

Is there a lot of sonic gains to be had with a mono playback system? Or is it rather esoteric?

Thanks
Kenreau

[Wayner]

Well, I have some mono stuff here and the same stuff comes out of both channels with my stereo cartridge. No, it's not true pure mono, but so what. These recordings are old and just being able to listen to them is good enough for me. I really don't think a mono cartridge is going to do anything for you anyway. Unless your a purist.

Wayner

[lcrim]

I don't have a mono cartridge either but I have a number of older LP's that have the same sound on both channels.  I am pleased with that.
Recently Art Dudley had a column about mono that made it sound very complicated to do properly and went totally over my head.

[woodsyi]

You take two Y splitters: one to sum the LR of phono output then the other to split the same signal to your stereo input.  Summing the LR is supposed to cancel out the stereo noise.  I think that's all a "mono" switch does on your preamp if you got one.

On the other hand, a mono pick up would be better for mono records since it's not getting any stereo (vertical) noise picked up from the start. The second (vertical) channel of a stereo pick up is like a well tuned noise generator on a mono record.   It would be worth the money to get a mono pick up if you have a lot of good mono recordings. 

[woodsyi]

I just noticed the OP has SWL(P?)  Dan can put in a mono switch for you.  I have one on mine.

[Quiet Earth]

Interesting subject. It would be cool to see how many of you guys have one of each (a stereo and a mono cart), and your thoughts on why (or why not) it's worth the extra effort.

I enjoy listening to mono recordings played back between two speakers also, but I don't know why . . . . . 

I suppose none of this is an issue with CD?

[woodsyi]

No issue with CDs as they clean out the noise for you.  You get a nice clean sound.  Too bad the process sucks the like out of music. 

[kenreau]

I just noticed the OP has SWL(P?)  Dan can put in a mono switch for you.  I have one on mine.

Good idea. I have the MWI LS36.5 pre.  Maybe I'll get a mono switch added.  I was intending to get a low voltage trigger added to switch on my amps anyway.

Thanks
Ken

[kenreau]

I don't have a mono cartridge either but I have a number of older LP's that have the same sound on both channels.  I am pleased with that.
Recently Art Dudley had a column about mono that made it sound very complicated to do properly and went totally over my head.

That's where I'm at, trying to determine if it is worth the added complexity, cost and hassles.  I'm not seeing feedback that it is significantly better for musical enjoyment.

Thx,
Ken

[opnly bafld]

I enjoy listening to mono recordings played back between two speakers also, but I don't know why . . . . . 

I suppose none of this is an issue with CD?

I think mono recordings sound much better using just 1 speaker.

Lin

[Wayner]

Well Lin, there'd be half as much noise.

Wayner

[Quiet Earth]

I think mono recordings sound much better using just 1 speaker.

Cool! Do you have a separate system set up for mono recordings? Or do you use a mono cartridge and just turn on the left (or right) mono block amp?

Spill the mono beans . . . . 

[thebearded1]

I find that the recording takes care of itself...if it is a mono recording, I hear the same music from both channels with a centered soundstage between the speakers.  I do have a mono setting on my preamp, but, when I depress it, the sound is not much different if different at all to my ears.  I use the mono setting to listen to older stereo recordings that portray separation in ways not audibly believable such as instruments coming from either 100% left or 100% right.  A lot of 50s-60s jazz vinyl are mixed in this manner and make a mono setting worthwhile....but, to go through the trouble of creating a mono setting to get the most from mono recordings is a lot of work for not a lot of musical enhancements to MY EARS....but, maybe to yours.... 

[mfsoa]

Listening in mono can be a great system set-up tool.

From my listening spot (w/ mono), there is the perception that absolutely no sound is being produced by the speakers. Bright daylight, eyes open, staring at the speakers - no sound is coming from them at all, yet there is a clearly defined field of sound directly between the speakers. It's as freaky as the best stereo imaging effects are.

Dialing in this effect w/ mono can be quicker than using stereo sources which each have their own soundstage "baggage" to complicate things.

I think if your system passes this "mono" test you're a long way towards dialing in good stereo images.

-Mike