Integrated Amplifier with a Mono switch

[Tzutzu]

Modern stereophonic technology was invented in the 1930s by British engineer Alan Blumlein at EMI, who patented stereo records, stereo films, and also surround sound (Wikipedia - Stereophonic sound).

30 years, 50 years - I didn't mean to be historically accurate, I was talking about the past. But you are right, it was long before.

 

[chebby]

Modern stereophonic technology was invented in the 1930s by British engineer Alan Blumlein at EMI, who patented stereo records, stereo films, and also surround sound (Wikipedia - Stereophonic sound).

Yeah but the 1930s depession and then that big war thing sort of crimped all that nice stuff for some time. Afterwards there were crazy huge purchase taxes on luxuries* and rationing and austerity and lots of other things distracting people from worrying about niceties like stereo.

*To stop the natives from buying the stuff we had to export in order to try and recover the economy.

 

[Tzutzu]

I know, tough times. But don't you agree Happy Listner should keep the mono box?

 

[chebby]

If there wasn't a voice or a synthesizer sound travelling between the speakers it was boring.

That's not - strictly speaking - stereo. Stereo is about re-producing a 3D image of the music with a convincing illusion of space and depth. What you describe is some nutter (probably off his head on 'substances') on the mixing desk creating artificial effects to freak out another bunch of nutters (also off their heads etc.) in darkened rooms listening to 'Floyd maaaaaaaaan'.*

*Or 'Illage or Gong or Frampton (maaaaaaaan) or whatever Pomp/Drug/Prog rock posse were being worshipped that month by the nation's unwashed engineering students.

 

[Jim-W]

I thought this thread would have self-destructed or eaten itself by now but no: it still rumbles and flutters on. Wow.

 

[Tzutzu]

Well, maybe you are right.

It's up to you, Happy, but still I think you should keep them

 

[chebby]

I know, tough times. But don't you agree Happy Listner should keep the mono box?

No I don't.

I think he will be constantly niggled by what it could sound like (with a dedicated mono cartridge and/or mono amp switch) and this will distract him from enjoying it.

I think he'd be better off selling it or returning it - still sealed and pristine - and spend half the amount on the mono CD box-set and enjoy them with no doubts or 'what-ifs' plaguing him.

 

[chebby]

All this talk of bl###y Beatles eventually got me looking for the storage box with my (stereo) re-mastered CDs to play one.

I've never bothered ripping them (yet) so I had to actually load and play a CD! (I haven't done this for over three and a half years except to test it worked for about two minutes when the system was new.)

I actually had to stop and try to remember - for a moment - how to get the CD drawer to come out!

Anyway, playing the singles double disc "Past Masters" right now. (Disc 1) It's really very good. I might get around to ripping them in lossless (or 320K AAC VBR) over the weekend.

 

[Tzutzu]

You should try the vinyl mono box

 

[chebby]

You should try the vinyl mono box

I sold my last turntable* about 5 years ago and (to remove any temptation) sold the last of my vinyl to a collector about a year ago.

Even if I had a TT, the box set contains too much that I wouldn't enjoy so i'd be paying way over the odds.

*Rega P2 with RB250 arm and Ortofon 2M and my old blue vinyl copy of 'Autobahn' by Kraftwerk.

 

[Happy_Listner]

Tzutzu and Chebby I am keeping the Box.

Chebby, it won't bother me that much I am just trying to get some info, learn, and make the best possible sound out of them. Mono is new to me. If it's not the best now then that's fine with me. From what Tzutzu stated it seems like it will sound good enough without that mono button. Anyways, I can always buy a Graham Slee with a mono button later on down the road if I start buying more mono albums.

I like almsot everything in that box set. The only album that won't get much use from me is Beatles for Sale.

 

[Jim-W]

I think 'Beatles For Sale' is a great record; it is, unfortunately, the home of 'Mr Moonlight' which is probably the worst thing The Beatles recorded. It does make me howl with laughter though.