Anybody listen to Mono LP's?
- Thread starter MikeCh
- Start date
im looking into a mono cartridge. Jeff tells me the mono cadenza is a great cart, but im thinking maybe a mono spu, since i have an ortofon arm.
i have a few mono records but i dont think enough to justify a $1000 cartridge yet.
or instead maybe i can buy 1 stillpoint...
LMAO!!!!
and im not sure if the mono button on my preamp actually does anything.
but yes if i have them i will listen.
ive heard some mono recordings with a good mono cartridge that will make your jaw hit the floor. when all is right it is just incredible.
i have a few mono records but i dont think enough to justify a $1000 cartridge yet.
or instead maybe i can buy 1 stillpoint...
LMAO!!!!and im not sure if the mono button on my preamp actually does anything.
but yes if i have them i will listen.
ive heard some mono recordings with a good mono cartridge that will make your jaw hit the floor. when all is right it is just incredible.
- Thread Author
- #3
Hi Steve,
With the VPI Classic, I'm going to be looking for an additional arm-wand and likely outfitting it with an Ortofon 2M Mono. I figure that with the many mono LP's I have here (most unplayed by me as of yet) that the 2M Mono will be a good fit for now with the unknown quality/consistency of the vinyl on these older mono's. Though I've cleaned them with my RCM, you never know what kind of unseen uglies might exist in those grooves.
Without a dedicated mono cart (playing them currently with the Dynavector 20X2H), I must say that some of these recordings are indeed quite special. In particular, the Columbia 2-eye mono's and Decca pink label promos have an incredibly low noise floor and silent tracking. The sound stage is pinpoint accurate with depth. Neat listening!.
Currently playing as I type, Columbia 2-eye Gary Graffman - Schumann Carnaval / Symphonic Etudes - ML6378
With the VPI Classic, I'm going to be looking for an additional arm-wand and likely outfitting it with an Ortofon 2M Mono. I figure that with the many mono LP's I have here (most unplayed by me as of yet) that the 2M Mono will be a good fit for now with the unknown quality/consistency of the vinyl on these older mono's. Though I've cleaned them with my RCM, you never know what kind of unseen uglies might exist in those grooves.
Without a dedicated mono cart (playing them currently with the Dynavector 20X2H), I must say that some of these recordings are indeed quite special. In particular, the Columbia 2-eye mono's and Decca pink label promos have an incredibly low noise floor and silent tracking. The sound stage is pinpoint accurate with depth. Neat listening!.
Currently playing as I type, Columbia 2-eye Gary Graffman - Schumann Carnaval / Symphonic Etudes - ML6378
oh sweet!!! if you have em might as ell get the right cart for them. Jeff(the other Jeff) jwhite who hasnt been around here in awhile runs a 2m mono ,i believe and he loves it.
extra arm wand is good to have!!
RedSectorA
New member
Guilty as charged. .... 
I have about 300 mono jazz and 50+ classical recordings. All I can say is I love them! Biggest advantage of mono recording is no phase issues in playback. Biggest problem except for record condition is the different EQs they where using back then.
A good mono cartridge is worth the investment if you can as a stereo cartridge is designed to read vertical and horizontal groove modulations whereas mono only have lateral information in the groove, vertical information is translated into noise. Also not all cartridges are built the same, some are simply strapped stereo cartridge, others have 4 axis movement but read only two axis and the last kind are those that only have lateral movement. I would defer you to other conversations on the net from people more capable than myself for more information.
As for myself I run a Miyajima Zero cartridge on a Michell Tecnoarm through an Ayre P-5xe phono pre.
BTW my own premise is that you haven't truly heard mono until you have listened to it on a mono setup.
I have about 300 mono jazz and 50+ classical recordings. All I can say is I love them! Biggest advantage of mono recording is no phase issues in playback. Biggest problem except for record condition is the different EQs they where using back then.
A good mono cartridge is worth the investment if you can as a stereo cartridge is designed to read vertical and horizontal groove modulations whereas mono only have lateral information in the groove, vertical information is translated into noise. Also not all cartridges are built the same, some are simply strapped stereo cartridge, others have 4 axis movement but read only two axis and the last kind are those that only have lateral movement. I would defer you to other conversations on the net from people more capable than myself for more information.
As for myself I run a Miyajima Zero cartridge on a Michell Tecnoarm through an Ayre P-5xe phono pre.
BTW my own premise is that you haven't truly heard mono until you have listened to it on a mono setup.
MusicDirector
New member
- Joined
- May 21, 2013
- Messages
- 2,013
Sometimes, I have just a few Mono LPs, they just came that way. I don't care about carts just for mono and just for this or that, it's all unnecessary expense to me personally. I just play everything with the same TT and cart I'm using, except I certainly would not want to try that with 78s and such things. (I don't have any of those anyway or any other specialty records, nor the equipment to even play them). I can just switch the receiver to mono if I want. Sometimes that does improve things with mono LPs and sometimes it doesn't matter.
Just my own way of things, everybody's mileage will vary.
Just my own way of things, everybody's mileage will vary.
Myles B. Astor
Active member
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2013
- Messages
- 2,884
Me thinks that one needs a phono section with adjustable EQ curves to properly listen to mono records. These albums were made pre-RIAA and their EQ curves are all over the place. Just my two cents....
- Thread Author
- #9
Adjustable EQ curves on the fly would be nice indeed.
In looking at my collection of mono LP's, there are many that don't mention anything about a curve or other "optimization" and those would be fun to play with the various non-RIAA EQ's applied.
I have many others that say things like:
RCA LM-1997:
"This is an RCA Victor "New Orthophonic" High Fidelity Recording
It is distinguished by these characteristics: 1. Complete frequency range 2. Ideal dynamic range plus clarity and brilliance 3. Constant fidelity from outside to inside of record 4. Improved quiet surfaces ---- For best reproduction, RCA Victor records should be played with the RIAA or "New Orthophonic" curve adjustment. The AES position may also be used with bass boosted and treble reduced."
Decca DL9856:
"THIS IS A HI-FIDELITY DECCA RECORD!
For proper reproduction use RIAA or similar Record Compensator setting"
What phono stages would you recommend that have selectable EQ curves? I'm aware of the Seta that outputs RIAA on one set of outputs and flat signal (no RIAA applied) on the other set of outputs. In concert with the Pure Vinyl software which contains 60-some different EQ curves, the Seta phono stage seems to be a very robust solution.
I have many new re-release mono titles, eg. Verve from Acoustic Sounds. To me, they sound fabulous & not having a mono-cart has never been a concern.. I may go as far as switch the pre- to mono mode.
As for the few vintage mono pressings from the early 60s on the shelf, I need to give them a spin....
As for the few vintage mono pressings from the early 60s on the shelf, I need to give them a spin....
- Thread Author
- #11
Yes please do!...and report back the comparison.
RedSectorA
New member
New re release are not a problem with stereo cartridges, originals recordings can be dependent upon when they were originally cut. Early 60's should be fine I think as far as being RIAA, experts can chime in.