2. amps-preamps
  3. 1149281081

Mono Switch?

I have noticed that many hi-end preamps don't have a "mono switch". I remember my old receiver had not only a mono switch, but had left or right channel played through both speakers, and a speaker reverse [L to R; R to L...not a phase inversion switch]

So what's your opinion of the lack of or the inclusion of a mono switch? Extra circuity that degrades the fidelity, or a useful tool for mono recordings as well as a simple way to check for out of phase recordings?
fatparrot

Showing 3 responses by fatparrot

fatparrot OP
1,314 posts
 
Mre2007, this is my understanding of a mono cartridge vs. a stereo cartridge.

A stereo cartridge will play a mono record as mono through both speakers with or without a mono switch. A mono cartridge has a spherical stylus vs. an elliptical one, and the stylus tip diameter is larger than on a stereo stylus, to sit higher up in the record groove. Mono is determined by the lateral motion of stylus in the groove, while the stereo is derived from vertical motion.

So with a mono cartridge, you won't get any spurious vertical movement, which would translate to possible phase cancellation of the mono signal.
fatparrot OP
1,314 posts
 
Mre2007, a mono cartridge will send the same mono signal to both the left and right channel...with or without a mono switch.
fatparrot OP
1,314 posts
 
Zaikesman, mea culpa! The spherical or conical stylus tip that I was referring to is used for playing 78 RPM records. I will send an email to Grado, to see if they can help with an explanation!
More to discover