How can you tell if a recording is in mono?


I am listening to an SACD pressing of Coltrane's A Love Supreme. I noticed that the stereo imaging was basically non-existent-- Trane is coming from the left channel, drums from the right, with piano and bass in the middle.

Since I have a preamp with a "mono" switch, I used it, and the sax and drums came right into the center along with the rest of the band. However, the sound lost a lot of its sparkle.

Not really sure what's going on here, and would love input.

Thx
dkidknow

Showing 1 response by gawdbless

How about disconnecting one speaker and see if you can hear everything coming out of the speaker that is still connected.
Would that work anyone?