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What to expect from MONO

Hello:

I'm curious if when listening to a 'mono' LP, should I be hearing a completely symmetrical sound stage? I'm listening to Coltrane's Blue Train in mono and I have to say that it favors the left channel on some instruments like the cymbals. The horn is mostly centered. I'm using a VPI Scout with Dyna 10x5. It's new and set-up by the dealer. Could this indicate that something is not set correctly?

On a separate thought. Since everything else in a system needs to be broken in (cables, speakers, carrtridge, etc) does new vinyl need to played a few times before it sounds it's best?
arch7
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
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.
arch7 OP
35 posts
 
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.
tarsando
578 posts
 
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.
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jyprez's avatar
jyprez
241 posts
 
To simulate a mono switch and see if this impacts your perceptions, use a male Y connector from Radio Shack to blend the left and right channels and then another Y connector with a female end to split the blended signal to your phonostage
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