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Buy Mono vs. Stereo LPs for Stereo Rig

Hi All,

I just heard Charlie Byrd's "Blues Sonata" ("Scherzo for an Old Shoe") for the first time and want to buy the LP. Recorded in mono in 1961, but later pressed as stereo. My cartridge (PC-1) is stereo. Which should I buy? In general, should mono LP's be just played on mono cartridges (or optimally so)? In general, if you have a stereo rig, is it better to buy the mono or stereo LP's? I know that some of the mono=>stereo conversions can be pretty wonky sometimes!
peter_s
peter_s OP
1,348 posts
 
Hi Mechans,

I've looked through some of the archives. I'm not finding everything I need, or if it's there, it's pretty embedded and hard to find.

To be more specific about my question:

, I have a single tonearm available to me, and it is set up for stereo. I've got two questions:

1) When using the Y adaptor, do you need two Y adaptors, one to sum the L+R channels and one to redistribute them back to L+R outputs?

2) If you definitely don't have a mono cartridge, is it better to buy stereo re-issues of mono LP's?

If I have to use two Y adaptors strapped together (question 1), I might just have blue jeans cable build me something where the blending of L+R occurs internally within the cabling and there are two sets of RCA plugs on either side. I don't suppose that the Y adaptor approach is to only take one channel and then deliver it to two inputs on my preamp, right?

Hopefully someone can chime in. Almarg???
peter_s OP
1,348 posts
 
Oh, and I should add that I have an outboard phono preamp. I assume that I should place the double Y adaptor device between my phono preamp and my linestage preamp?
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Like life, it depends and is complicated. Mono LP's are best played in a 'chain' that is 100% mono, meaning the cartridge must be mono, cable mono, preamp mono. Once you have the sound in the preamp, you can take the output to two channel via a y connector. All else compromises the effect.
peter_s OP
1,348 posts
 
Agreed Bucanero! But I'm looking for a compromise solution for those who don't have a separate mono rig.
hevac1
812 posts
 
I have a stereo system but have a mono cartridge on an extra wand for my Graham B44 (see system). I find with a mono cartridge that the music seems to flow better, be more involving and to have better definition on mono records than my stereo cartridge whether my ARC Ref3 is in stereo or mono mode. I have some pre 60's Jazz and other mono records but do not play them. I believe they require a different needle profile, EQ and can be damaged with what I have. One day I will add an arm pod for another arm and cartridge or even another table with a different phono preamp for records not setup for RIAA.
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