What to expect from MONO

Nsgarch...

Can you clarify how a stereo cartridge could be to blame for room response?

Wouldn't the fact that he's using 2 speakers be more "to blame"? I mean, a mono cartridge playing a mono track through 2 speakers would output the same signal to each (in theory), and the room response could cause some variance in perceived 'location' of the sounds.

However, if I have it right, a stereo cartridge could actually be feeding 2 different signals to each channel, which could then be exacerbated by 2 speakers/room response.

Am I missing something? I guess you are saying anything that sends a mono signal (mono cart, mono-capable preamp) to stereo speakers will reduce the problem -- but the inherent problem is room response (assuming correct setup of the cartridge & rest of the system). Nothing in the analog setup will correct this.

Ebalog, when I said "anomalies in you room's response" I was referring to phasing issues and "floating" image (which is what Arch7 was asking about, I think). I wasn't referring to the room's frequency response. A mono groove only produces lateral stylus movement representing a single signal. When reproduced through a normal stereo system (maintaining 2 separate channels from cartrige to speakers) the two signals have phase differences (the "stereo imbalances" JH refers to.)

Using a mono switch combines the two channels at the preamp, and these phase differences (mostly) cancel, so you pretty much get the same signal out of BOTH speakers. However, a mono cartridge sends the SAME signal to both channels, so theoretically, you shouldn't need the mono switch.
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a piece of vinyl wears from the first spin. make sure your records are dust free when played, so the heated vinyl doesn't cool with embedded particles.....break in -no...break down-yes.

Thanks for the responses. I do not have a mono switch in my system. I'm looking for a few other mono recordings and will try those out too see if there's any difference or the same response.

For mono listening, I always turn my head 90 degrees either left or right of my normal stereo position. Because look, if you want true mono, even with a mono switch, even if you go to a single speaker system, even if you use a single-tubed amp/preamp, etc, you still have to listen with JUST ONE EAR. This is so often overlooked in the literature (but cf "The Van Gough Effect" published somewhere in Boston a couple decades ago). And the ear that sounds best depends on your 'handedness'. Try it for yourself.