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Mono madness...

Gang-Twanger

Gang-Twanger

Resident Wharfedaliophool
Been thinking a lot lately about mono LP playback and which way I want to go. While I love my 1019 for mono stuff, I'm actually thinking about setting the Way-Back machine even further into the past, say, to the mid/late '50's. The way I see it, it seems the best approach would be something from the peak of the mono era, and there are apparently some reasonably-priced '50's tables out there that, while not being the last word in stereo playback, are actually very, very-good for mono stuff.

I already have an old, late '50's Garrard RC88/4 that's mounted in a decent standalone plynth (instead of a console), and I'm thinking about refurbing that for mono use and possibly 78-playback as well. From what a few people have said, this model is supposed to be quite-good for mono LP's. Here's a YouTube video I found of this table playing a 1930's 78 (I figure, if it sounds this good with a 78 from the 1930's, it's GOTTA' sound good with '50's mono LP's using the right kind of cartridge/stylus). Keep in mind, this is just the sound of his system recorded with a digital camera. It's not recorded direct:http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=aSLX15xUQwM&NR=1


Anyway, I was curious what some of you are using to play old mono LP's and what works best for you.

Thanks in advance...
 
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The 88/4 runs heavy, so you want a cartridge that can deal with that. Mine has a GE VR-II on it. I havent run it in so long that I can't give you an honest opinion what it sounds like, but functionally it worked very well on that machine. The VR-II has a knob sticking out of the top, so if your headshell isn't already punched for it, you'll have to drill. Its probably got a casting mark where the hole ought to be though.
 
gadget73 said:
The 88/4 runs heavy, so you want a cartridge that can deal with that. Mine has a GE VR-II on it. I havent run it in so long that I can't give you an honest opinion what it sounds like, but functionally it worked very well on that machine. The VR-II has a knob sticking out of the top, so if your headshell isn't already punched for it, you'll have to drill. Its probably got a casting mark where the hole ought to be though.
Click to expand...

I can't tell what the cart is, but the stylus basically looks like this.
96.jpg


The headshell has the gold Garrard emblem with a circular area above it (i.e., farther back on the tonearm). I assume that the casting mark you're talking about?

I've heard interesting things about this table and how the tonearm rides in the groove. The motor on this model seems like a hefty one, and it's well-bolted to the chassis, unlike a lot of other idler-driven tables.
 
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If yours had a VR-II, it wouldn't have the Garrard plate. The red knob for the stylus flipper would be sticking up through it. Kinda like this

Picture3476.jpg


Motor is kind of big, though I could swear it uses rubber grommets for mounting, not straight bolts. I know I replaced grommets on something with a pair of different sized parts from the hardware store and I thought it was the 88. May have been something else though.
 
IMHO mono is not madness, certain if you own a collection of mono records.

Even if you use a cheap mono cart. like the( Ortofon D 25 M ):

om_d25m_230pix.jpg



p.s. I prefere 2 channel mono reproduction.
 
I play all my mono LPs (and I have hundreds) on the same turntable (the Lenco in my sig) I play my newer stereo LPs.

For 78s I have the correct stylus and another Lenco which can track heavier. For 78, may need to adjust EQ, depending on what curve was used when they were recorded.
 
someday (which, realistically, probably translates to "never") I'll build a mono system around this lovely :-P Formica-covered K-15.



Stuffed with this.

 
One thing that would be nice to have for a mono system is a proper mono preamp, or even a mono integrated with the various settings for older mono discs and 78's etc.

Like this mono preamp:

attachment.php


Or this mono integrated:

attachment.php


Mhardy, If you haven't already tried mounting it, your Stephens 106ax shown in the picture (didn't that used to belong to Marcus?) will mate nicely with the Karlson. I have a pair of the forerunners, the Stephens P52A, mounted in Karlson (home built) cabinets and the sound is truly top notch. The 106ax with better HF extension would be that much better.



mhardy6647 said:
someday (which, realistically, probably translates to "never") I'll build a mono system around this lovely :-P Formica-covered K-15.



Stuffed with this.

Click to expand...
 
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