How are you playing your precious MONO Vinyl?

[zebo67]

I am about to invest in MONO Vinyl playback setup.

The goal - pure, undiluted music straight down the center.

The plan - dedicated 2nd tonearm + mono cartridge + phono

After 6 long months of waiting, my Woodsong plinth with dual arm boards schedule to arrive next month.

I came across a product that peaked my interest. The Monaural Phono Amplifier - Aurorasound EQ-100. No reviews, so I am wondering if anyone tried it yet?

Is EQ-100 or something similar, absolute necessary from a purist perspective or should I take the pragmatic path and use the ‘Mono’ switch on my Integrated with a built in phono?

There are ofcourse pros and cons to both approaches so I am seeking advice from folks who have compared both options or adopted another alternative in their vinyl setup.

Thank you for your time!

 

[Yeti]

Just setting it up today but I’ve had enough for now so relaxing with the stereo side at the moment. Mono is Korf/London Decca Maroon mono version/Naim Stageline N powered from the preamp’s ps.

I’m reluctant to go for something with no vertical compliance whatever as not all my stereo discs declare themselves. The Decca goes some way towards it however with lower vertical compliance.

 

[Argonaut]

Dedicated Mono Vinyl Replay : What Would Be Your Particular Weapons Of Choice ?

As per the OP Title , should one be fortunate enough , Room , Funds , Time , Inclination etc , to indulge oneself so , which items of equipment would make up your *Ideal* Dedicated Mono Vinyl Rig , From Pickup to Transducer ? Some members have already done so and It would be great to hear from...

www.whatsbestforum.com

 

[A-Line]

I engage the mono switch on my phono stage plus the one that's on my integrated amp. I use a Lyra Kleos stereo pickup.
I've quite a few classical records and handful of rock records that are mono.

True mono set would be a simple mono amp & preamp, turntable with mono pickup, and a single speaker. I've never known anyone in modern times with that sort of setup.

 

[groovemaster]

With this genuine single-channel mono equalizer, it is possible to listen to old mono records with maximum authenticity.
The AS MONOPHONIC TRUE MONO is based on the SCOTT 121C phono stage. That was high-end in 1957. The special feature was the infinitely variable adjustment of the different equalization curves. Please note. After all, there were 20 different ones for Vinyl Microgroove. This is also how the AS Monophonic works. Only with the cutting-edge technology of today. The Monophonic is even available as a try-out case for testing in your own system. We have best results with the big Power supply PSU 1.2. Fantastic Cartridges are Miayjima or Ortofon.

This Mono Enthusiast has two high end Mono gear. The AS Monophonic and the EMT JPA 66.

Monophonic

the Monophonic phono preamp (audiospecials.de) is a true Mono one! Coming with the additional PSU 1.2 (right unit) it is here put on low gain (see the yellow jumper of the left unit right above). T…

audiocirc.com

groovemaster

 

[hopkins]

True mono set would be a simple mono amp & preamp, turntable with mono pickup, and a single speaker. I've never known anyone in modern times with that sort of setup.

There's no such thing as a mono amp and preamp. Obviously amps come as mono or stereo, but what I mean is that there is no difference in signal processing.

Whether you use a single or two speakers is a matter of taste (and loudness). I use both setups. When I listen to a singie speaker, I simply disconnect the other.

The only "mono specific" equipment is the cartridge. A mono cartridge is optimized for mono "grooves". Note that mono recordings after roughly 1968 were pressed on stereo grooves, so a mono cartridge is not relevant for modern day mono LPs...

As far as EQ curves go, different curves apply whenever the RIAA norm was not used, which could be an entire topic on its own. There are stereo records that don't use RIAA...

 

[A-Line]

There's no such thing as a mono amp and preamp. Obviously amps come as mono or stereo, but what I mean is that there is no difference in signal processing.

Whether you use a single or two speakers is a matter of taste (and loudness). I use both setups. When I listen to a singie speaker, I simply disconnect the other.

The only "mono specific" equipment is the cartridge. A mono cartridge is optimized for mono "grooves". Note that mono recordings after roughly 1968 were pressed on stereo grooves, so a mono cartridge is not relevant for modern day mono LPs...

As far as EQ curves go, different curves apply whenever the RIAA norm was not used, which could be an entire topic on its own. There are stereo records that don't use RIAA...

Mono was before stereo...just saying.
A budget all-in-wonder mono setup might very well be a 1950's Wurlitzer jukebox full of 45rpm mono records..

 

[hopkins]

Mono was before stereo...just saying.

Did I imply otherwise? (P.S. i listen to a lot of mono...)

 

[A-Line]

Did I imply otherwise? (P.S. i listen to a lot of mono...)

I like my mono records... unique sound of that particular period in history appeals to me.
Stereo is a night and day improvement over mono in my opinion.

 

[hopkins]

I like my mono records... unique sound of that particular period in history appeals to me.
Stereo is a night and day improvement over mono in my opinion.

Ok, I was replying to your comment implying I thought mono came after stereo (?).

 

[Argonaut]

True mono set would be a simple mono amp & preamp, turntable with mono pickup, and a single speaker. I've never known anyone in modern times with that sort of setup.

For my part I have run a true dedicated mono setup, either main or secondary system from 1978 - Present … I know of a good few likeminded folk also …

 

[A-Line]

For my part I have run a true dedicated mono setup, either main or secondary system from 1978 - Present … I know of a good few likeminded folk also …

That's good.

 

[groovemaster]

As far as EQ curves go, different curves apply whenever the RIAA norm was not used, which could be an entire topic on its own. There are stereo records that don't use RIAA...

Stereo records that don´t use RIAA ??? Tell me one.

Phono amps with the possibility to use different EQ curves have advantages if you want to hear original Mono records. Mono Re-issues are all cutted with a stereo groove, RIAA Curve and a mono signal.

 

[hopkins]

Stereo records that don´t use RIAA ??? Tell me one.

As far as I know, I don't own any none-RIAA stereo records, but there are some... But let me return the question and ask: how would you know if you owned one?

Phono amps with the possibility to use different EQ curves have advantages if you want to hear original Mono records.

Sure, it gives you flexibility. I own one (the M2Tech Joplin). To be honest, you may as well simply use an RIAA phono preamp and add some EQ after. How many people here, on WBF, are seriously listening to pre-RIAA mono records? How many people here listen to 78s? I doubt there are many...

The phono preamp you mention is referred to as a "true mono" preamp in the article you posted. What does that even mean?

Mono Re-issues are all cutted with a stereo groove, RIAA Curve and a mono signal.

Yes, I mentioned this.

 

[groovemaster]

Sure, it gives you flexibility. I own one (the M2Tech Joplin). To be honest, you may as well simply use an RIAA phono preamp and add some EQ after. How many people here, on WBF, are seriously listening to pre-RIAA mono records? How many people here listen to 78s? I doubt there are many...

The phono preamp you mention is referred to as a "true mono" preamp in the article you posted. What does that even mean?



Yes, I mentioned this.

Sure, it gives you flexibility. I own one (the M2Tech Joplin). To be honest, you may as well simply use an RIAA phono preamp and add some EQ after. How many people here, on WBF, are seriously listening to pre-RIAA mono records? How many people here listen to 78s? I doubt there are many...

Yes, if you are used to this theme and like to use EQs. For the "normal" Mono lover too much effort.

TRUE Mono of the AS Monophonic in this case is no marketing. It is a real ONE Channel phono amp. Not bridged Stereo. Channel Crosstalk is absolutely impossible. This modern type is equipped with Balanced In and Outputs. RCA too, for sure.



It is the Modern version of the original SCOTT 121 C with stepless Equalizing. Absolute Highend in 1957. Marantz had the same principal in the Fifties..

Here is the Orinal SCOTT 121C.



groovemaster

www.audiospecials.de

 

[hopkins]

It's good to have all these options.