2. amps-preamps
  3. 192345-81086

What is the advantage of being able to select the MONO button?

I have assembled a dedicated mono rig (VPI Super Scoutmaster Special Edition w JMW Memorial tonearm, Ortofon Quintet mono cart into Plinius P-100 phono-pre with no mono button). I believe this to be described as a true mono cart and I'm getting different ideas as to what that means. Does this cart require a pre with mono button or is that just for playing mono records on a stereo rig? What exactly does this button do if I had a preamp that had one? What is all this about Y adapters? Do I need anything like this to optimize this set up?

I am mostly interested in recent mono re-issues like Beatles, Dylan etc. Some advice I've heard is I'm wasting my effort and these will play correctly or even better on stereo setups. If so, would that be with a preamp with mono button? Is that the best way with these records? 

I do have a lot of older records from early 50's on to discover as well. Sinatra and the like. So it would be nice if the system could play these optimally as well. 

thejeenyus54

Showing 1 response by russ69

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,570 posts
 

If you are starting with a mono recording and a mono cartridge, use will only need one channel of the preamp and a mono amp with one speaker. But if you are playing through a stereo amp and two speakers it gets a little more complicated.  For that setup I would put a Y connector on your turntable output to run both channels of the preamp and stereo amp.

The Mono switch is not needed because you are only sending mono from the cartridge. 

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