Mono vs. Stereo

another aspect of mono vinyl playback is the groove size. early wide groove mono’s are optimized with a 1.0 mil stylus, later (after the mid 60’s) cut with a stereo cutter head are optimal with a 0.7 mil stylus.

it makes a significant difference in playback performance. 60’s mono pressings need to be played on both to determine which is optimal.

therefore i have 2 mono vinyl rigs. the one with my 0.7 mil stylus uses the Miyajima Infinity mono 0.7 mil on a Durand Kairos arm, mounted on an EMT 948. the other is the Miyajima Infinity mono 1.0 mounted on a 12" Durand Telos wood armwand on a Wave Kinetics NVS tt.

new reissue monos sound fabulous on the 0.7 mil. early 50’s monos are to die for on the 1.0 mil.

all the good things mentioned above are going on with these pressings. i have some great stereo cartridges and gear, but these mono cartridges take the music to another level, even with tip top stereo cartridges and arms directly comparing them. and proper mono vinyl listening has this magical direct sort of sound that is addicting.

frank said

The difference between stereo and mono? With stereo, you are there. With mono, they are here.

Yes, and with properly reproduced Mono, they are each distinctly here.
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As for a single speaker, as Eric mentioned (which is unrealistic for me and I presume many others) I will add:

From your normal centered listening position, if both speakers are fed the identical signal, PRECISE BALANCE, to properly create a solid phantom center image is very important.

Mono LP, both speakers on, I often move to a different listening position so that my mind does not seek imaging, and do not hear any slight off center wandering that may occur. 

My McIntosh Preamp Mode Switch has L+R to L only ... or L+R to R only. I'm gonna try that next time I have a great Mono LP on, probably later today.

Thanks to you all for your thoughts.  Very helpful for me. 

I will investigate my Mac PreAmp for those adjustments @elliotbnewcombjr.  Is that your Phono PreAmp or system PreAmp that you reference?

I also like the idea of a mono cartridge.  I'll have to figure out how many Mono LPs I have in the collection.  Currently listening to the whole collection A>B.  I've been thinking of getting a dual arm turntable so when I play my LPs from high school I don't toast my best cartridge.  Also looking at a cartridge for 45's and 10" recordings.  My cache of 78's really doesn't warrant the expense of getting a 78 cartridge (never play them).

But, again, thanks for chiming in with very productive thoughts.  Much appreciated

OK Now, One Speaker as Erik Mentioned:

I played an awesome Mono Charlie Parker

https://www.discogs.com/Charlie-Parker-The-Fabulous-Bird/master/479890

a. via Mono Cartridge, preamp stereo mode, dual mono both speakers.

b. via Mono Cartridge, McIntosh Preamp Mode Switch L+R to L, it was better from only 1 speaker.

c. via Mono Cartridge, Mode Switch Stereo, balance control full left, also better than Mono from two speakers.

So, Assuming Mono Cartridge, to get only 1 speaker:

IF you don't have a Mode Switch, but do have a balance control, that does it.

Or, can you somehow disable one speaker? Try it once at least,
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Erik mentioned One CENTERED Speaker. That would not be possible for me and I suspect most.

I have my speakers toed in and simply used a speaker away from but near a corner, the one diagonally away from my mono listening position (which is not centered) further away from my normal listening position, it sounded great. One speaker does produce more distinction than dual Mono. I think it is a mistake to listen from your normal 'perfect' listening position, the habit of seeking imaging is strong, and any slight drifting from center is distracting.

Thanks Erik

Wouldn't it be different depending on the sound source? I think it would be better to listen to it on a mono channel if it was based on an output device like mono radio in the past. To add one more thing, the person who makes the music once told me that it is easy to balance using the mono channel.