Hey all,
I am back at it again, preaching mono!
I had a thread up on the topic but had a few folks who lack actual experience make some statements about it and kind of spoiled the thread. I do have a long lasting mono thread in the tube forum but that thread is just for showing off mono rigs and just general talk.
Thread on mono if you want to see some cool set ups ^^
The purpose of this thread is to maybe get some folks into mono who have not yet experienced it and what it can do.
To start I want to clarify a few things:
1. I am not an expert, all this info is just my personal opinion and experience dealing with mono over the past 4-6 years.
2. This is not a debate on Mono Vs Stereo - Stereo has its place, but this is about mono not what is better.
3. If you have not actually experienced True mono or Stereo summed to mono, please do not make statements as if you have. That is of no help to anyone, and just makes one look foolish. One question I will always ask members on any topic is if they have actually experienced something, why because you don't know what you don't know.
4. If you are a mono head like me, any advise given to me is not taken lightly. I love learning about audio gear, and love talking to you guys about gear and music.
5. Lastly Mono is not the mono switch on your receiver, that is for plying mono LP's and if done correctly one would need a mono cart.
So how I run Mono. I run it like most Bluetooth speakers. I send a L&R Signal to a mono Summ (not a Y splitter). The summ will have 10-20Kohm resistors in it to help shunt both (-)& (+) signals on both L&R channels to be one full range signal.
A cheap Mono summ can be found on eBay and or Amazon or one can be made for a few bucks.
That is one that I use, and it works fine. Under $35 bucks ^^
There are also many DIY Stereo>Mono converters you can build and can find instructions on Google, and even on AK.
Now that we have a way to send a proper signal to a mono amp we need to select a nice mono tube amp.
I know what you are thinking, Tubes "expensive" Not so fast. - What I have learned is that Mono amps are usually dirt cheap compared to most vintage gear.
I have purchased well over 30 mono amps on eBay for under $1-200 each.
With mono you are using half the tubes you would in a stereo unit, so that makes it a lot easier to purchase tubes and usually cheaper.
Most folks think you cant run a set of speakers off a single tube amp. This is not true, you 100% can. If the signal is summed you will get a stereo signal being played on both speakers, you just need to run 2 8ohm speakers in Series. Would look like this:
Pix from google ^^ not my pix.
(L) & (R) - (L) & (R)
So it kind of gives you a Dual mono sound or a Dual Stereo sound.
What I have noticed when doing this is the bass is just fantastic and seems more forward and powerful, the top end sparkles a lot more and it seems to correct any phasing issues.
I run both a set of speakers and also single full range drivers or coaxial speakers.
Now as to the why you should be running a mono rig:
1. Its cheap
2. SQ is fantastic
3. Gives one the tube experience with out having to invest in a full set up
4. SQ is fantastic
I have had many folks over to my house who loved the sound and had no idea it was mono.
Any of you fine folks use mono?
If any of you do try this and need some help, just let me know id gladly help. There was a fellow AKer who reached out to me on the 1st post I made about mono and I ended up sending him a mono summ for free so he could give it a try. He sent me a really great write up on how much of a difference the summ made.
Most folks will listen to mono but its only the R or L side, the trick is to properly summ the signal so that you can get full range out of one amp. The amplification process is mono but the signal is still stereo.
Anyway, just wanted to state my love for mono again, hope to get some folks interested!
I am back at it again, preaching mono!
I had a thread up on the topic but had a few folks who lack actual experience make some statements about it and kind of spoiled the thread. I do have a long lasting mono thread in the tube forum but that thread is just for showing off mono rigs and just general talk.
I’ve been playing with a little pilot mono amp that was pulled from a turntable. I’ve been using various full range drivers and I’ve been hooked on this little set up. Wondering if any other AKers run mono rigs? Any pic of your set up’s?
I’ve found the prices are low with mono stuff unless it’s a “mono-block” for a stereo set. Some of the older tube console amps are rather nice and are low buck. I’ve found many nice FR single drivers on eBay not so much money.
A few I keep out to swap in and out, it’s a lot of fun
I picked up this speaker ^^ on eBay...
I’ve found the prices are low with mono stuff unless it’s a “mono-block” for a stereo set. Some of the older tube console amps are rather nice and are low buck. I’ve found many nice FR single drivers on eBay not so much money.
A few I keep out to swap in and out, it’s a lot of fun
I picked up this speaker ^^ on eBay...
Thread on mono if you want to see some cool set ups ^^
The purpose of this thread is to maybe get some folks into mono who have not yet experienced it and what it can do.
To start I want to clarify a few things:
1. I am not an expert, all this info is just my personal opinion and experience dealing with mono over the past 4-6 years.
2. This is not a debate on Mono Vs Stereo - Stereo has its place, but this is about mono not what is better.
3. If you have not actually experienced True mono or Stereo summed to mono, please do not make statements as if you have. That is of no help to anyone, and just makes one look foolish. One question I will always ask members on any topic is if they have actually experienced something, why because you don't know what you don't know.
4. If you are a mono head like me, any advise given to me is not taken lightly. I love learning about audio gear, and love talking to you guys about gear and music.
5. Lastly Mono is not the mono switch on your receiver, that is for plying mono LP's and if done correctly one would need a mono cart.
So how I run Mono. I run it like most Bluetooth speakers. I send a L&R Signal to a mono Summ (not a Y splitter). The summ will have 10-20Kohm resistors in it to help shunt both (-)& (+) signals on both L&R channels to be one full range signal.
A cheap Mono summ can be found on eBay and or Amazon or one can be made for a few bucks.
That is one that I use, and it works fine. Under $35 bucks ^^
There are also many DIY Stereo>Mono converters you can build and can find instructions on Google, and even on AK.
Now that we have a way to send a proper signal to a mono amp we need to select a nice mono tube amp.
I know what you are thinking, Tubes "expensive" Not so fast. - What I have learned is that Mono amps are usually dirt cheap compared to most vintage gear.
I have purchased well over 30 mono amps on eBay for under $1-200 each.
With mono you are using half the tubes you would in a stereo unit, so that makes it a lot easier to purchase tubes and usually cheaper.
Most folks think you cant run a set of speakers off a single tube amp. This is not true, you 100% can. If the signal is summed you will get a stereo signal being played on both speakers, you just need to run 2 8ohm speakers in Series. Would look like this:
Pix from google ^^ not my pix.
(L) & (R) - (L) & (R)
So it kind of gives you a Dual mono sound or a Dual Stereo sound.
What I have noticed when doing this is the bass is just fantastic and seems more forward and powerful, the top end sparkles a lot more and it seems to correct any phasing issues.
I run both a set of speakers and also single full range drivers or coaxial speakers.
Now as to the why you should be running a mono rig:
1. Its cheap
2. SQ is fantastic
3. Gives one the tube experience with out having to invest in a full set up
4. SQ is fantastic
I have had many folks over to my house who loved the sound and had no idea it was mono.
Any of you fine folks use mono?
If any of you do try this and need some help, just let me know id gladly help. There was a fellow AKer who reached out to me on the 1st post I made about mono and I ended up sending him a mono summ for free so he could give it a try. He sent me a really great write up on how much of a difference the summ made.
Most folks will listen to mono but its only the R or L side, the trick is to properly summ the signal so that you can get full range out of one amp. The amplification process is mono but the signal is still stereo.
Anyway, just wanted to state my love for mono again, hope to get some folks interested!
