HOW TO LISTEN IN MONO.............
- Thread starter The Magus
- Start date
The first question that needs answering is what are you using as your source for mono program material?
This makes a difference as a genuinely mono source is rather different to a mono recording on a stereo medium and really requires a different playback method.
I can not think of any real mono sources or amplifiers though, of course mono (block) power amplifiers and single speakers are easy enough.
This makes a difference as a genuinely mono source is rather different to a mono recording on a stereo medium and really requires a different playback method.
I can not think of any real mono sources or amplifiers though, of course mono (block) power amplifiers and single speakers are easy enough.
There are plenty of speakers, new and vintage that can be aquired singly, that is not a problem.
The issue is deriving a genuine, single mono channel, not two stereo channels with a centre image which is not the same thing. It may sound picky, but if you are serious about this, stereo with a centre image will not do.
Mono power amps are easy enough, but a mono pre-amp is difficult, have not seen one in ages. I would be tempted to look in the pro shops for such a thing, I doubt they even exist in the hi-fi world these days.
You might be able to find something vintage though, but as always, this will be pot luck.
The issue is deriving a genuine, single mono channel, not two stereo channels with a centre image which is not the same thing. It may sound picky, but if you are serious about this, stereo with a centre image will not do.
Mono power amps are easy enough, but a mono pre-amp is difficult, have not seen one in ages. I would be tempted to look in the pro shops for such a thing, I doubt they even exist in the hi-fi world these days.
You might be able to find something vintage though, but as always, this will be pot luck.
The Magus said:
Didn't mean to put you off but 'real' mono reproduction is pretty much an artform in itself and requires a bit of time and trouble.
There is however a sensible 'half way house', modern releases, downloads etc, will almost certainly be 'dual channel mono' so will play ok on a normal stereo setup. Any mono vinyl that you have can be played on something like a basic Rega player with mono Rega cartridge.
If you get the mono cartridge wired correctly to both channels, a Rega dealer should be able to do this, then you can probably do away with the mono button on the amplifier, hard to find these days.
Not purist in any sense but perhaps good enough to enjoy soe old recordings.
Reijer
Well-known member
I'm not so technical, but:
Is it possible to connect one speaker to an amp using the + of the speaker to the + of the right channel of the amp and the - of the speaker to the - of the left channel of the amp to create a mono hifi system?
Is it possible to connect one speaker to an amp using the + of the speaker to the + of the right channel of the amp and the - of the speaker to the - of the left channel of the amp to create a mono hifi system?
Reijer said:
Generally no.
Though some power amplifiers do allow for bridging, which is similar but not quite the same thing.
Mono power amplifiers are easy enough to find, so no need really.
The -ve is often just a common return in a regular integrated amp so if you connect one speaker to the +ve of the right channel and the -ve of the left, you'll just get the right channel. Easy to prove, try it.
Get an AV amp to use as pre amp. Configure it to use centre channel only. Genuinely mono sources, e.g. SACD encoded to have mono playback only, should use centre channel only. I wouldn't know if they exist. I will check my old Sam Cooke SACD when I get the chance.
Anyway the hardware is there.
Anyway the hardware is there.
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