I’m wondering (as the title of post suggest ) what people or doing for modern mono releases. It seems that there is a lot of new mono recording being rereleased that are stereo playback compatible. Who has compared these recordings with a proper mono cartridge?
I just bought the Beatles Mono box as well as the last year U.S Capital records so it got me thinking. I also have a bunch of other 60s pop and of course mono jazz and classical pressings.
I’m using a Linn arm so no removable head shell. So a mono cart would require a second table, is this worth the silliness for a hundred or so records?
I’m have a second turntable for mono. A Systemdek iix with an AT33 mono cart. It sounds great and is amazing for the money. The stylus tip is modern size, so a bit small for older classic monos, but it sounds great on those anyway. On modern monos sometimes it is better than my mid level LP12 setup (Lingo4, Karousel, Kore, Aro, Krystal). On others the Linn is better to my ears even though it is a stereo cart. Generally though i play all the monos - old or new - on the Systemdek with this setup.
Thanks for your reply.
Your Systemdek is in the realm of what I was thinking. I have a Rega Aria MKIII for a phono stage and it has two inputs one mc and one mm. I would need a: a second phono stage or b: a high output mc cart. I guess a step up box would work as well. I too have a Linn LP12 (an older spec).
Well I’ll be go to hell! That looks very interesting . Do you have any experience with this ? I think some research is in order. I’m wondering how fussy the set up would be?
Thanks for this.
“. That’s about it, love have 2 arms as the exquisite sounds wonderful, and pulls far more out over the windfeld, but it can be too much on some pressing, that’s when the windfeld steps in.
Plus it’s as eady as just turning a know to select input 2 on the phono stage.
Love my vinyl when in the mood.
@Skeptikal , the Lp12 specialist. Do you think an external pod with a second arm would work with an Lp12.
Maybe Richard too, as he owns a several dozen of turntables.
Lyra Kleos. But I don’t have mono albums. @JosquinDesPrez has 2 arms, with one Lyra Atlas stereo and a second one Mono. His very modest turntable, a Master Innovation by Clearaudio, accepts two arms.
All the Innovation series accept two tonearms. However, the Master Innovation I have is a little different in that you can add a third tonearm. Unlike the other Innovation turntables the third pod does not have the speed control at the top, so it will accept a tonearm base instead. I’m thinking about adding a 9" Tracer arm to use for my Dynavector and Koetsu cartridges (with a Boulder 508 for it).
But, yes, I have two tonearms with the mono and stereo versions of the Lyra Atlas. It’s a good idea to have a phono-stage with two inputs. If you think you’ll just swap cables to a single input going between mono and stereo playback, you end up in ‘mono’ or ‘stereo’ modes for listening, rather than just playing records ad hoc and selecting the appropriate tonearm and input as you go. I used a Superline for both tonearms previously and I grew quite tired of reaching behind to swap cables all the time. That’s why I changed to a Boulder 2-input phono-stage.
Really nice and impressive beast.
If i could have one, personally, I would go for the tangential arm. Just because it impresses me.
Not saying you should have one on yours.
By the way, back to topic, the OP wonders how to manage best to listen to mono albums. The problem, he has an Lp12.
If the OP wishes to keep the LP12 then probably the best solution is to use an arm that allows interchangeable head shells. That way, it’s easy to swap out a stereo cart for a mono one, with just the VTF and bias needing to be adjusted each time. The Jelco SA-750D or TS-550 would suit here and also uses a Linn geometry and armboard mount too. Apparently it works very well on the LP12.
The Decca Maroon is the mono version run into a stageline N powered from the 552. The SPU Royal N has a Replicant 100 stylus and plays into a supercapped superline. On original 1950s mono discs it earns its place but on modern reissue mono it’s more a different flavour than better, though many still played on it rather than on the SPU.
The deck is a Lenco L75 with PTP bearing and top plate in a home made bamboo and polycarbonate plinth.
Trust me in saying this, unless you have 2 tonearms set up and ready to go, it’s a right pain in the bum.
Even swapping headshells is a pain, unless you are going to keep it on for months.
You really want a phono stage that has 2 inputs as a minimum.
A turntable that can have 2 tonearms fitted as a minimum.
Or a tonearm pod, next best thing, but not as good as having a turntable that you can add tonearms too.
In your situation with the LP12, you either need a second turntable or change it for one that fits your needs. I would probably change it, as also been there with 2 turntables and it takes up loads of room.
But having the right phono stage is just as important, asnot only having the inputs, but you want to be able to change the settings very easily as well.
I made my own tonearm pod, and on its 4th reincarnation now, just to tight to buy one, plus i could make it.
