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Mono vinyl, how do you know if really single channel mono or if stereo recorded to mono

I'm exploring the possibility of getting a mono cartridge. 

Please, I am not trying to start a debate about whether or not that is a good idea. I simply have a question about monophonic records.

How can you tell which records are truly mono and which are actually stereo with 2 identical channels to simulate mono?

I know that for all mono records before stereo there was only one channel cut laterally into the record .  When stereo came out some so called mono recordings were actually 2 channels just like a stereo record with both horizontal and vertical information but  L and R were the same so ended up as mono. I also know that a "true mono" cartridge only has output from the horizontal motion and that the stylus size is different than a stereo stylus, which means according to many aficionados of mono recordings,  in an ideal world you would want a cartridge optimized for mono to play true mono records

again, I do not want to debate the pros and cons of this, just want the facts about the records. If you want to debate something else please start another thread

thanks


herman
herman OP
2,261 posts
 
Nearly all of them are guilty of obfuscating to one degree or another, in order to allow the reader to believe that their product is "true mono". Not many actually are

Thanks Lewm, I see that. Ortofon uses the term "true mono" all over their website, but when I contacted them about their cartridges they replied

Firstly, please read some background information about the TRUE MONO concept on our web here https://www.ortofon.com/hifi/cartridges-ranges/true-mono/.


MONO models use a strapped output to deliver the same output signal from both sets of pole pins, which makes it possible to get true mono reproduction on any stereo playback system. So there is only one signal out and this is on both pair of terminals (for convenience - most people have stereo equipment and need signal for both channels).


so their use of the term "true mono" is to me.. very misleading if not basically an outright lie. 

I just ordered this to play with.. not much money and if correctly described it is a mono cartridge.. thanks so far for the info

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at-mono3-lp

Due to the horizontal configuration of its PCOCC (Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting) voice coils, the AT-MONO3/LP cartridge only generates electrical signal with horizontal movement, yet it also has appropriate compliance in the vertical direction, making it safe for use with stereo records.

flatblackround's avatar
flatblackround
279 posts
 
I think it was directed at me.
please excuse my redundancy and awkward enthusiasm for mono.  
herman OP
2,261 posts
 
I am finding Mono LP’s is a messy world, and information is often missing.

amen

I suggest/hope you research and find a Mono Cartridge BODY with interchangeable/optional Stylus,

good idea... does that exist?
herman OP
2,261 posts
 
I apologize for the title of the thread, it should not say "stereo recorded to mono." that makes no sense... I was thinking about mono recorded as 2 equal channels on a stereo record... so it should be the other way around.. I was interested in mono recorded with a stereo cutting head

so again, I apologize for causing any confusion.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@herman Grace F14 LC-OFC MONO is one of the best mono MM I have ever heard, many original styli from Grace or new from SoundSmith
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