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Playing mono records properly without breaking the bank - a phono pre-amp question.

Hi there.. I can use some suggestions for playing mono records properly.I'm about to put together my vinyl system and trying to figure out how to best play mono records without having to either buy a separate TT, have a turntable with two tone arms or have a switchable head-shell, all of which are not an option at the moment.  Someday, I think having two tone arms will be the way, but now I need the most economical way to have a nice experience.
I will have at a minimum, a nice stereo stylus/cartridge, but I'm wondering if I should be focusing my phono-preamp search to those with a dedicated mono switch?  I have a Hegel integrated and there's no mono option. 
Are there  simple ways (contraptions)  other than a phono-preamp with a mono switch, to achieve high quality mono playback with a stereo stylus? My search for the right phono preamp would be much easier if I knew I didn't need to make sure it had mono.

Appreciate any suggestion or direction - would love to hear your person experience playing mono on a generally "stereo" rig.

hrabieh
elliottbnewcombjr
5,346 posts
 
I asked for this as a Christmas Gift from my Neice

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Abbey-Lincoln-Straight-Ahead-Jazz-Man-JAZ-5043-SEALED-REISSUE-LP-NEW-OLD-STOCK/382864848599?hash=item592485f6d7:g:wNYAAOSwqxRa398Q

Played it using AT440ML Microline Stylus is great shape sounding fab on Stereo LP's.

McIntosh Mode switch in Mono.

There was no solid center image. Unfocused random low level sounds from left, right, off center.

It's second play will be with my Grado ME+ cartridge that is in transit. I will report back!


mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Uberwaltz, who stands to gain from you buying a cartridge, Ortofon and Grado or me. For as many Mono records as most people have it is not worth the money or hassle to have a separate system for playing them. Oh but I forgot. You are concerned about the Imaging. My mistake. 
Hrabieh, try playing the records. I have several new mono records, new pressings of old material and they sound just fine using any stereo cartridge I own. If you have old mono records you might want to clean them before you try playing them. If they play fine, end of story. If they sound noisy then a larger stylus might help, might not. 
I assume they are not 78s. 78's do need a larger stylus.
Uberwaltz, you need to switch to digital. This vinyl sh-t is going to drive you crazy.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
You are a funny guy Mijo.
Hey maybe take a look at my system some time......
And read my posts where I clearly state I bought a 78 stylus to play , well that's right you guessed it 78,s!
My concern on playing mono records of older origin, so pre 1960,s would not be sound quality or anything along those lines but possible damage to the stylus of any of the carts I tried it with.
I do NOT consider a cheaper mono only cart like the 2m mono or grado me+ to be a huge expense or hassle.

My 2m is now mounted on a headshell and it is minutes work to swap it out on my Garrard and rebalance it and be playing with no worries.

Exactly the scenario I envisaged right from the start and it has worked out to perfection for my needs.
elliottbnewcombjr
5,346 posts
 
Mono LP's, Jazz, on my new Grado ME+ Mono cartridge ($150.)

I am VERY GLAD I got this.

Last night I played a collection of Jazz tunes, Chicago South Side Jazz, from 1927-1930.

https://www.discogs.com/Various-Chicago-South-Side-Jazz-Vol-1/release/5104002

Stereo cartridge, preamp in Mono, listening was more like a history lesson. One prominent instrument, everything else low volume, seemed a half mile away.

Very early Louis Armstrong, Earl Hines. I strained to hear them with Stereo Cartridge,

Repeated with Mono Cartridge, bingo, I became INVOLVED with the music, a huge difference! There, a band all together, there's Louis, there's Earl.

I thought perhaps a bit better, and am happy to report, ditch your reservations, get a Mono cartridge, it's a LOT BETTER.

I went for Elliptical at reasonable price, it's the mono wiring that makes the difference. IF I was more involved with Mono LP's I would probably spend more for a Shibata tip, the extra life of the stylus's with greater groove contact makes the increase in price somewhat meaningless if you take the long view.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Excellent stuff Elliot.
Mirrors my experience and possibly surpasses it.
Enjoy!
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