Mono VS Stereo

As always I appreciate all the feedback with respects to mono vs stereo. Rest assured there is no problem with my system or hearing. However I do prefer the mono "Effect" if you will as compared to the "Stereo" effect. When switching back and forth between mono and stereo there is no loss of high frequencies, no loss of anything in terms of sonics. My speakers are about 8 or 9 feet appart, but I enjoy close field listening as opposed to sitting far back. In the end it's just how I enjoy my stereo in particular. Actually I know alot of people who listen to their system in mono and they also have top quality equipment. Sorry guys, as always I appreciate and respect all your opinions. However I'm going to continue to listen in mono. All the best guys......

All very interesting observations. I always have like headphones, even the cheap ones! I do agree with the gentleman that the depth of fied does indeed improve when in mono. Interestingly i too prefer old jazz in mono in particular. In a perfect world I guess all our systems should image and create a soundstage as it were like headphones. But headphones have an unfair advantage in that they do not have to deal with the room or envirement they're in. My system in stereo does have great seperation, imaging, soundstage etc...Right or wrong there is just something about listening in mono that moves me more for the material I listen to.

Don't know what a true mono system is and I've never listened to one. I'm happy with the state of my system and I like to listen in mono as Rodman99999 pointed out, to each his own! This passion of ours gives us great joy, in the end it's about passion and joy. Some people obtain perfect sonic enjoyment from a set of headphones (Those people are lucky because they get off cheap!), others need a system where thousands are invested. In any case the one thing all of us have in common is that we all love music, for surely without music there would be no stereo or mono!

I'm learning something new here (Single loudspeaker configurations and mono cartridges) really cool. Not sure if I'm ready to go all the way with mono but for sure worth a look. Great perspectives guys, one and all.

Thank you for the info shadorne. I should be clear that my "Stereo sound" is fantastic and that my set up is great. It could just be that I prefer my peculiar way of listening to most of my material. For whatever it's worth whenever I have guests and we're listening to the system they prefer it in stereo. I realize that alot goes into a recording as you say, but for me sometimes the sum of all the parts don't add up to a whole. To be fair, next week when I have the chance I'll listen in stereo for the day and let you guys know if I've changed my mind at all. After all it has been quite some time since I have actually listened to my system in stereo for any length of time. Cheers.

Interesting. Have you experienced the "Breath of life" mod yourself? What exactly is it supposed to do? Good advice, perhaps I should keep the system constant for a while. As I say, let me know if you have experienced the breath of life or any other mods on the Sony SCD 777ES.

I know I know......I have been off the beaten path for much of my life when it comes to the "Norm". Stones over the Beatles, big money on small speakers (Guarneri), really old motorcycles, film vs digital, First off I really appreciate all you guys being "Gentle" in your observations about my mono comments. I know some you are probably thinking I should order one of those jackets with the really lond wrap around sleeves and allow six to eight weeks for delivery. I figure I'm in good company, they thought Columbus was crazy too!! But I honestly do prefer listening in mono, even if technically incorrect it's more enjoyable to me at this point. As I say I will play around with my system in terms of speaker positioning etc..later this week and see what shakes. I was just thinking what a blast it would be to have all you guys at my place having copious amounts of espresso etc...having this same conversation and listening to music. Ahh the spice of life. Cheers.

Don't you just love it when you make a perfect espresso! You put the sugar on top and it takes almost 30 seconds before it gets through the creamy top and sinks to the bottom of the cup. That is how the Guarneri make me feel and I agree they are among (For me the best) the best model Sonus Faber has ever made. Now.......Espresso's are something I like in stereo.......Two at a time! All the best.

Hoestly, I have never listened to a speaker that I have liked as much as the Guarneri. I would advise anyone who is seriously considering any of the Sonus Faber speakers to make arrangements more a very lengthy audition of all the speakers your considering. I took a whole day, it came down to the Guarneri vs the Amati for me. In the end throught he same electronics the Guarneri were music to my ears. The Amati were amazing but there was a certain magic that the Guarneri had that the Amati did not. I think you could probably find many of the virtues the Amati have in more than a few quality loudspeakers, but the "Guarneri magic" is alot more elusive to come by in any speaker. After owning my Guarneri for years I have no desire to own any other speaker. The other thing is that when your not listening to them they still look like art, I've had people in my house think they were just that and not a speaker at all.

Well I started listening in stereo as opposed to mono and the results have been very interesting. For some reason I prefer stereo, yes I have changed my mind. Perhaps taking a break from stereo listening for years has made me appreciate it alot more. All of a sudden listening to stereo records in mono sound vague and somehow removed and less involving. On the other hand my new equipment (Mcintosh MC2301's and Mcintosh C1000T) sound heavenly. The improvement over the Mcintosh MC2102 and the C2200 is startling, just amazing. The last mod to my system (I know, famous last words) will be to my Sony SCD 777ES. I'll be sending it in for the VSI level seven mods and an upgrade they call "The breath of life". Apparently with these mods the SCD 777ES sounds pretty much as good as anything out there at any price. All the best.