How are you playing your precious MONO Vinyl?

lewm,

"For the umpteenth time, using a mono switch when playing a mono LP with a stereo cartridge is not per se going to increase noise because of "sum"-ing. Phase cancellation takes care of that, and reduction, not summing, of common mode noise is the principle benefit of using the mono switch."

I keep forgetting this, because not always but MOST OFTEN, using my True Mono cartridge sounds FAR better, MUCH LESS NOISE than using my Mono Switch.

My copy of this

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224036490489

is UNLISTENABLE with a Stereo Cartridge, a history lesson at best, (where’s Louis?). When played with my Grado ME+ Mono, $185. elliptical, it is both enjoyable (there’s Louis) and is the easiest demo I can play for others.

A muddy mess with terrific sounding AT33PTG/II Stereo’s advanced stylus via mx110z’s Mono Switch. Play with the Grado Mono Cartridge: Individual instruments and voices become distinct (not imaging, but distinction) to the extent you can imagine the individual players. Definitely DOES NOT OCCUR using the Mono Switch.

Where is phase cancellation mentioned?

If Phase Cancellation is ASSUMED to occur, it doesn’t occur perfectly, not in my experience.

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You do not need to spend a lot of money for True Mono Cartridge, $185. is the current price of the Grado ME+, elliptical stylus, if you want to go beyond that, ok, but not needed to simply enjoy your current or future Mono LP's,

especially if you listen to Jazz, so many greats made their reputation before Stereo. If it's in good shape and mono, you will have no hesitation, recording techniques were already very good, buy, plan on it sounding INVOLVING.. 

rhg3

I’m glad, I have fun and have the time, but note, in eagerness I make my share of errors, I am always glad when others catch them. 

danmar123

Nice setup!

for those here who want to know the difference, i.e. "that’s good enough for my small need".

You are a good one to tell us what happens in your system with your particular Mono LPs.

a. play the stereo cartridge with the preamp in Mono position

b. play the mono cartridge, perhaps name a few LPs it makes an ’easily noticeable’ improvement

b1. leave switch in Stereo position (no need to use mono position with a true mono cartridge) (especially interesting for others who don’t have a stereo/mono switch, i.e. you don’t need both

b2. move to Mono position, in your case, is it just habit, or do you hear a benefit?. 

Before I had a mono cartridge, I definitely heard improvement engaging the mono switch on my preamp when playing mono records with my stereo cartridge. It mostly came in the form of noise reduction, but it didn't benefit in other ways like the true mono cartridge does. I never engage the mono switch when playing the mono cartridge since that's pointless to do. Even Boulder in their manual says the mono switch is for playing mono records with stereo cartridges.