Please explain mono

Try some of the first electrical recordings.  I am thinking of Sir Edward Elgar back in 1926, at Abbey Road no less, conducting many of his most significant works.  Clearly these recordings reflect how he wanted his music to be played, in terms of tempo, portamento etc.

Originally released on 78-rpm records, these performances are available on CD but still in mono.  There is some debate that he may have hurried the music to fit the limited time on a 78 side, but I don't think this is true.  The emotional impact of these performances is greater than many later offerings from other conductors.

I could turn the question round and ask why many prefer two-channel stereo when better quality multi-channel has been available for decades?

I spend a lot of time using DES techniques to make my restored monos sound more pleasing to my ears. I like listening to music in surround and with mono that is not possible. I never cared for the pinpoint of sound coming from a single source, I keep wanting to sit facing it, it hijacks my attention. in stereo surround the music "follows" me around the room. 

 

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is the purpose of mono in today’s day and age and with about anything available in stereo. I ask this because i feel that I’m missing something and may be able to learn something.

Thanks

I own over 400 mono records, 1954-1967. So all mono microgroove.

These are all legacy recordings, and only available in mono, or “electronically rechanneled for stereo”. I have some great rechanneled records, but the original mono records are my favorites!

I use a GE VRII true mono tip-sensing MI cartridge. Using my own rebuilt styli. There is NOTHING BETTER! Ruler flat FR, and super dynamic tip-sensing sound that is UNLIKE ANY conventional cartridge! It reads what the stylus tip is doing, not from the opposite end of a long, lossy cantilever. The difference of a tip-sensing cartridge is a NIGHT AND DAY difference over all conventional MC and MM/MI cartridges!

The sound is QUIET, DYNAMIC, and articulate (very detailed!) with smoothness throughout the FR. Just completely enjoyable! Every bit as enjoyable as all of my 4,500+ stereo records.

I use my true mono cartridge on a stereo headshell with 2 wires REMOVED. NO STRAPPING!! I give my mono cartridge the proper loading it needs! Strapping a stereo cartridge DESTROYS proper cartridge coil loading! You destroy flat FR! Same for a 2-pin true mono cartridge! Strapping a 2-pin mono cartridge (4 wire headshell!) destroyed the proper loading for the coils!

I use the mono switch on my preamp so that I get TWIN MONO signal to my amplifiers. This results in a balanced L and R output from my speakers, with a full center (phantom) center fill, and room-filling sound. You’d never know it wasn’t STEREO without knowing the record was MONO.

Great mono is worth achieving. You don’t know until you achieve it.

Nothing at all if you wish to cut yourself off from our rich recorded legacy pre 1958 or so.

Someone once explained to me that it allows a person to focus more directly on the music and not be distracted by any imaging tricks that stereo is presenting. Not sure I 100% agree with that, but I can certainly see the argument.