On 30/11/2024 at 1:13 PM, Fidelity Sounds said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love those old blue Columbia labels, those and UK Decca, are some of my favourite mono records.   I would also incude Aussie Purple Coronet by CBS as being just as good.

On 30/11/2024 at 3:10 PM, ReliaBill EngR said:

I have several hundred mono records. All original pressings. The mono recordings are frequency limited. At the mastering level. Basically 40 Hz to 10 kHz. Most have this in the technical notes. So going to great lengths here is mostly a fool’s errand. 

 

 

I have hundreds as well.    I would love to own this Decca test record which shows they managed a little more than 10kHz.  This test record goes to 15kHz (+/- 0.5 db)

 

1 hour ago, aussievintage said:

Depends entirely on the circuit design, and normally it isn't needed (as per above).  I would just strap the cartridge for mono instead,  or use the Y-cable at the phono preamp INPUT (nearly as good)

 

Maaaate, I appreciate - as a Queenslander - you probably have some very different views on things.  😝

 

Me - as a Victorian - I stick to science.  So I will not be just connecting L & R channels together.

 

1 hour ago, andyr said:

Me - as a Victorian - I stick to science.  So I will not be just connecting L & R channels together.

 

So, you think that is science?  I understand you guys are broke, and cannot afford it, but why do you think, even cartridge manufacturers strap cartridges internally to make pseudo-mono carts?  Because it works, and is good science.

Got an opportunity to compare  mono and stereo pressing on mono and stereo cartridges in a same setup

 

we listenned:

Cannonball Adderley ‎

https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/982633

 

interesting to find out that most seasoned ears and long-time analog lovers in the room all preferred original mono pressings while a few newbies in analog in the room prefer stereo which sounded sharper and kind of more “audiophile” style.

 

the only difference is the mono cartridge vs stereo cartridges were used and one key point is the mono one is a few times cheaper than stereo one. And most experienced ears prefer mono playback.

From this, you pick your information 

Edited December 20, 20241 yr by ikhuong

I have a number of Rolling Stones, Beatles amongst other mono pressings. I have a mono switch on my preamp which I use on my Nagaoka MP300 cartridge when listening to these records. Also have an AT33 mono cartridge which does sound fuller with less surface noise on the same records. I suspect this is more due to the fact the AT33 has a 0.6mm conical stylus which is a more suitable profile for older mono lps.  When I get the urge for a mono session and could be bothered with the cartridge swap I enjoy the At33 immensely for its fat robust sound on a good mono Lp. 

Edited December 20, 20241 yr by Anodecap

This is a very interesting thread to me and the first one I have read through since joining the forum just one day ago.  I listen to a lot of jazz, much of it old, some original, some re-issues both on LP and CD.  Accordingly I have a dedicated TT for mono, mine is a Technics SL1200GAE, which is very convenient because it has interchangeable head shells.  My principal cartridges are a VAT (MC-elliptical), an AT33 Anniversary (MM - conical), and a 2M Mono SE (MM-Shibata).  I code my records to know which sounds best for each record.   Using a mono cartridge does sound better to me than using a stereo cartridge, but I do that too when I am at my summer home with only one TT.  FWIW, KAB in New Jersey offers a mono switch as an inexpensive accessory.  BTW, the CD option has become very attractive lately.  Vinyl, even used is getting stupid expensive and there are some great jazz re-issues coming mostly from the UK.  These often feature 3-6 LPs of one artist on 1-2 discs for quite reasonable prices.  Often the liner notes are well researched, comprehensive and well written too.  If your priority is the music these are well worth looking into.  Admittedly they don't have the cache of the original vinyl, but....

 

 

35 minutes ago, billstevenson said:

This is a very interesting thread to me and the first one I have read through since joining the forum just one day ago.  I listen to a lot of jazz, much of it old, some original, some re-issues both on LP and CD.  Accordingly I have a dedicated TT for mono, mine is a Technics SL1200GAE, which is very convenient because it has interchangeable head shells.  My principal cartridges are a VAT (MC-elliptical), an AT33 Anniversary (MM - conical), and a 2M Mono SE (MM-Shibata).  I code my records to know which sounds best for each record.   Using a mono cartridge does sound better to me than using a stereo cartridge, but I do that too when I am at my summer home with only one TT.  FWIW, KAB in New Jersey offers a mono switch as an inexpensive accessory.  BTW, the CD option has become very attractive lately.  Vinyl, even used is getting stupid expensive and there are some great jazz re-issues coming mostly from the UK.  These often feature 3-6 LPs of one artist on 1-2 discs for quite reasonable prices.  Often the liner notes are well researched, comprehensive and well written too.  If your priority is the music these are well worth looking into.  Admittedly they don't have the cache of the original vinyl, but....

 

 

You are a genuine music lover, you can engage and enjoy music with a not-so-expensive setup and could spot-on to pickup the mono vs stereo difference . Many are not at this level or just focus more on technical and audio component side.

 

for Jazz records, I agree they are getting very high price now for US/UK old pressing, don’t talk about first presses, good thing is that many people have started to realise nothing can beat vinyls yet 😛

 

 

Edited December 22, 20241 yr by ikhuong

You are right I am a music lover first.  The equipment serves the music and is decidedly of secondary importance for me.  You are also right that vinyl sounds better than anything digital that I am aware of.  In first place, though, must come live performance.  As I become more involved here, though, you will discover that my equipment list is anything but modest.  But far more significant for me is that I still own records first acquired in my prepubescence circa 1960.

The nostalgia aspect of mono records on a vintage turntable is inescapable. 

Sometimes the nostalgia seriously takes hold. Currently listening to Glen Miller on my 1929 Atwater Kent radio 

Old records, tubes, idler wheels and mono are cool. 

Long live mono and vintage audio.

How far can we go back to enjoy mono records, especially jazz. I recently restored this 1938 HMV 102 from a total wreck with zero expectations as to the sound. Rebuilt the sound box. Repacked the spring and recovered the cabinet. Was given the HMV due to its poor condition. A recent visit to an opshop found 4 Glen Miller, Louie Armstrong and Billie Holiday albums. Loving mono 

Edited December 23, 20241 yr by Anodecap

78 rpm mono albums. On a good idler drive turntable with a decent 78rpm cartridge they sound great. Another avenue worth exploring and its fun.

Mono sound 👌Merry Christmas &  Happy New Year 💕

On 20/12/2024 at 3:04 AM, aussievintage said:

 

So, you think that is science?  I understand you guys are broke, and cannot afford it, but why do you think, even cartridge manufacturers strap cartridges internally to make pseudo-mono carts?  Because it works, and is good science.

They strap for economics. Too expensive to retool for a production run of carts that far fewer buy. Who’s to say they don’t modify coil inductance? That modification is on the production line. Or, maybe they don’t. Who’s going to be checking and reviewing FR linearity of a mono-strapped cartridge?? You?

 

And THAT ^^^ is the SCIENCE.

End of year ! Getting old 😅

 

Wonder everyone ever  try mono  sound set up ? hear proper set up ??? 

 

Please enjoy the music.

 

Happy New Year 

On 29/12/2024 at 11:20 PM, Fidelity Sounds said:

End of year ! Getting old 😅

 

Wonder everyone ever  try mono  sound set up ? hear proper set up ??? 

 

Please enjoy the music.

 

Happy New Year 

I have. My dad’s setup. Garrard AT6 with a GE VRII mono cartridge. HH Scott tube amp. Wharfdale speakers in twin mono. 
 

Plus, my own experience playing with carts over the years. I hear a startling alteration in sound FR from strapping stereo carts. That’s why I don’t recommend it. MM carts need proper loading to get a linear response. True mono carts need proper loading also! On a true mono cart, don’t parallel the L and R headshell wires; only use one pair of leads to the 2 pins. 

On 31/12/2024 at 5:30 PM, ReliaBill EngR said:

I have. My dad’s setup. Garrard AT6 with a GE VRII mono cartridge. HH Scott tube amp. Wharfdale speakers in twin mono. 
 

Plus, my own experience playing with carts over the years. I hear a startling alteration in sound FR from strapping stereo carts. That’s why I don’t recommend it. MM carts need proper loading to get a linear response. True mono carts need proper loading also! On a true mono cart, don’t parallel the L and R headshell wires; only use one pair of leads to the 2 pins. 

I have recently embarked on a dedicated mono rig.

Technics SP10 MkII-Micro Seiki MA505s with Audio-Technica AT33X/1. Mono.

(Mark Busby cart alignment)

Sound is spectacular once cartridge broke in.

Very clear, direct and lively. Rock solid palpable stable imaging.

I’m surprisingly impressed and hooked