Mono vs. Stereo


I've been wondering for some time what the sound difference and listening experience is between Mono and Stereo.  Let me acknowledge first off that I have not done an A-B comparison since I do not have both Mono and Stereo of the same release.  At least I don't think I do.  Would appreciate a couple of thoughts on the difference.  If someone has a good link to a source write-up, that would be appreciated as well.  

I've heard folks say the mono versions are better, but again, never did the A-B comparison.  

Thanks in advance.
pgaulke60
I learned here that playing Mono LP’s with a Mono cartridge is better than playing with a Stereo Cartridge even if using a ’mono’ control on a preamp.

I found it is definitely true. It makes a bit/some/a lot of improvement.

examples:

An historic compilation of early jazz: listening via stereo, not involving, came off as a history lesson, probably would never play it again.

Received my Grado Mono cartridge, wow, it was so much better. Not imaging, but individual instruments became distinct, you could readily hear Louis’s trumpet ... The Stereo cartridge reacts to any vertical input, dirt in the groove, warps, and makes ’hash’, and it doubles the hash, sending it to both channels. A very large difference.

I just sold an original issue Thelonious Monk. Normally I don’t sell any audible problem, however buyers ask for specific things, soooo

The LP has an audible scuff about 1/2" long in one track, otherwise it’s fine.

I listened with Stereo, noise was the same volume as the content. That track definitely not enjoyable. I listened playing Mono, the amount of audible noise was reduced two ways: first, the sound of the scuff was considerably lower volume than the content, acceptable enjoyment. secondly, the duration of any noise was reduced in program length.

I advised the buyer he would only get thru that track happily with a Mono cartridge. He bought the LP, bought himself a Mono cartridge, left me great feedback. He is evidently a collector, wanted my original riverside issue which is rare it seems.

Others: I don’t own a lot of lps in both formats, but I can definitely say many many of my Mono Jazz LPs sound terrific. They had excellent equipment and techniques long before stereo.
Lots to keep in mind.

Multi-track recordings happened before stereo, so some multitrack recordings were made for mono, but when stereo came out they attempted to take advantage of the new medium, often with poor results.

Next, mono should be listened to from a central speaker. Your head interferes with the signals in a variety of ways, depending on the location of the source.  See "head related transfer function" for more.

But basically a true mono recording will reach your ears differently when played back from a stereo setup than from a single speaker dead in front.

Enjoy!

Erik
I've done comparison on my Beatles collection Please, Please Me and With the Beatles Lp's definitely sound much better in mono while the White Album and Abbey Road are superior in stereo. With early rock Lp's you get a nice full punchier feeling with the mono mix as recording techniques improved stereo sounded much better.