How are you playing your precious MONO Vinyl?

@dwette 

Thanks for sharing. I recognize and understand that a Mono cart should offer a better experience over a stereo cart with Mono switch engaged on your phono. 

My query was more about, whether a purpose built phono like EQ-100 would offer a superior experience over a phono with mono switch. In any case, it’s good to know that a standard phono stage with proper mono summing might get you 90% there….

Once it’s all setup, It will be interesting to hear the recently released 1964 Beatles (Mono) Vinyl set and handful of other classics from that era. 

@dogberry 

Thank you for your astute summation of both the logic and the limits of the purist mono path. You have given the clarification I was hoping for, ahead of my implementation. Nope, the playback will still be from L/R speakers. 

With a true mono cartridge, the signal coming from both channel pins is already identical (since it derives from lateral movement only), correct? 

If above is true then engaging the mono switch on my preamp would be redundant. I don’t have much information to go by here, if my Integrated mono switch performs any phase manipulation or summing after gain, if it does; that might add some noise or coloration, so it’s often best left off with a true mono cart. Something I intend to play around after installation. 

Since my post, I did bit more research and found out EQ-100 would be beneficial for early mono records that used non-RIAA EQ curves. Here are the mastering notes from Beatles Mono Vinyl set, 

“These albums were cut for vinyl from the original master tapes using a completely analog signal path and with constant reference to first generation pressings of the original albums. They were made using a Studer A80 master recorder with analog preview & program paths, and a Neumann VMS70 cutting lathe originally installed in Capitol Studios in 1971. This specific all-analog cutting technique allows faithful representation of the full musical range and dynamics present on the original tapes”

My wonderful journey into analog playback continues….

Thank you all for your feedback. Lot of good advice / information here for anyone looking to dip their toes into mono playback. For clarity, I do not intend to play mono vinyl with a stereo cart or swap headshell’s. I want my mono playback setup as ‘set it and forget it’. 

And I do not own any pre RIAA mono Vinyl yet but still remain curious to hear back from anyone have a direct experience with EQ-100. I think it’s an interesting product with really cool retro design. 

@elliottbnewcombjr 

RE: Woodsong plinth…not sure what kind of feet I’ll get with my plinth. Chris assured me his best work to date so I am really looking forward to experiencing the final product. 

@elliottbnewcombjr 

Happy for you, don’t you love when everything falls into place. 

@danmar123 

Wishing you a speedy recovery!