Author Topic: Impact of a Mono Cartridge  (Read 6963 times)

Offline S Clark

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Impact of a Mono Cartridge
« on: August 17, 2017, 06:29:05 PM »
I pulled out a copy of Dvorak's 4th (or 8th, depending on publisher) Sym in G on an old blue Angel label.  Put it on and listened to the first side as I read the notes. As I read, I noticed that it was thin on bass and a bit flat sounding played with a Dynavector 10x5.  As I kept reading, it stated that it was a mono recording from 1962, when most labels still had mono lathes. It had been misfiled in with my stereo lp's.  I played the flip side on my mono rig with a Denon 102, and what a difference.  Bass, depth, hall reverb all appeared. 
I find quite few very nice mono lp's, and it's my experience that you really need a dedicated cartridge to get the most out of them. 
« Last Edit: August 17, 2017, 06:57:25 PM by S Clark »
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Offline Putz

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Re: Impact of a Mono Cartridge
« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2017, 07:25:05 PM »
What about new Mono reissues? Are you noticing a difference with them as well between the 2 rigs?

Offline S Clark

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Re: Impact of a Mono Cartridge
« Reply #2 on: August 17, 2017, 09:09:37 PM »
I couldn't say about new mono reissues.  I don't own one nor heard one.  My suspicion is that most mono newer than the late 60's would not benefit from a mono cart.  But I can't say from experience. 
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Offline rollo

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Re: Impact of a Mono Cartridge
« Reply #3 on: August 18, 2017, 10:34:34 AM »
Hey Man I have been trying to convince the masses about great mono with a mono cart. The ones who try are just so happy. ENJOY !!!!


charles
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Offline S Clark

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Re: Impact of a Mono Cartridge
« Reply #4 on: August 18, 2017, 11:13:56 AM »
Charles, any input to Putz's question?  What about newer reissues of mono lp's?  I read somewhere that Columbia ditched their mono lathes around 1965.  Don't know about the rest. 
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Offline pumpkinman

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Re: Impact of a Mono Cartridge
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2017, 05:38:27 AM »
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I believe '65 is correct. Modern monos are cut differently
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Offline pumpkinman

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Re: Impact of a Mono Cartridge
« Reply #6 on: August 19, 2017, 05:39:44 AM »
I have a mono cart set up on a Technics TT but sadly it's sitting in a shelf currently
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Offline richidoo

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Re: Impact of a Mono Cartridge
« Reply #7 on: August 19, 2017, 11:31:21 AM »
I pulled out a copy of Dvorak's 4th (or 8th, depending on publisher) Sym in G on an old blue Angel label.  Put it on and listened to the first side as I read the notes. As I read, I noticed that it was thin on bass and a bit flat sounding played with a Dynavector 10x5.  As I kept reading, it stated that it was a mono recording from 1962, when most labels still had mono lathes. It had been misfiled in with my stereo lp's.  I played the flip side on my mono rig with a Denon 102, and what a difference.  Bass, depth, hall reverb all appeared. 
I find quite few very nice mono lp's, and it's my experience that you really need a dedicated cartridge to get the most out of them.

Thats really interesting!

Offline rollo

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Re: Impact of a Mono Cartridge
« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2017, 02:17:06 PM »
Reason being a stereo cart. stylus is just not the right fit in the grooves. Mono cart is wider as well as groove. The stereo cart wiggles side to side causing bad stuff like vocal distortion, weak bass and scratchy highs with lots of noise to boot.
Older mono recordings benefit from a mono cart. If mono and cut in stereo lathe stick to stereo cart. Many new mono reissues are not true mono. Hence the debate on buying them.
If you own many true mono recordings a mono cart will reap the benefit. If reissued mono save your money. Then there are the proper RIAA curves for each label. Decca, RCA are different. When one hears the correct RIAA/label with a mono cart bliss baby. I prefer many Jazz recordings in mono over stereo with proper RIAA and mono cart. Anyday.


charles
« Last Edit: August 20, 2017, 02:18:43 PM by rollo »
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Offline S Clark

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Re: Impact of a Mono Cartridge
« Reply #9 on: August 20, 2017, 06:15:07 PM »
I've also read that when RCA made mono master tapes, they used all the tape for one channel, creating less saturation and a lower noise floor.  I've been buying mono like a madman over the past 5-6 years since they are usually 1/4 the price of stereo.  I find that piano and concertos work well in mono. 
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Offline rollo

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Re: Impact of a Mono Cartridge
« Reply #10 on: August 22, 2017, 10:50:01 AM »
I've also read that when RCA made mono master tapes, they used all the tape for one channel, creating less saturation and a lower noise floor.  I've been buying mono like a madman over the past 5-6 years since they are usually 1/4 the price of stereo.  I find that piano and concertos work well in mono.

  Agreed as well as small Jazz combos. The only thing to do if you can is but a phono pre with the proper equalization for them. If you think you heard great mono wait. :thumb:


charles
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Offline S Clark

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Re: Impact of a Mono Cartridge
« Reply #11 on: August 22, 2017, 03:50:48 PM »
That's an interesting response.  I've got several phono pre's- a Vista, a Graham Slee Gold, and a Dodd.  But none are set up to specifically play mono.  I wonder if Boris can mod the Vista? 
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Offline S Clark

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Re: Impact of a Mono Cartridge
« Reply #12 on: August 22, 2017, 05:08:16 PM »
...and I forgot a Jolida. 
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Offline rollo

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Re: Impact of a Mono Cartridge
« Reply #13 on: August 23, 2017, 11:19:26 AM »
Grahm Slee makes a mono PS with adj. curves. Tempo Elec makes a state of the art adj. curve unit The Vadlyd MDmk4 is a killer as well.


charles
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Offline S Clark

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Re: Impact of a Mono Cartridge
« Reply #14 on: August 30, 2017, 04:53:56 PM »
I'll be borrowing a Graham Slee with adjustaable RAII curves tomorrow. 
Charles, if this is a big step up, I'll be singing your praises while my wife curses your name. 
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