• Check out the Annual AK Secret Santa exchange Program, signup before November 23rd in the AK Charities & Christmas forum!

Questions on Mono Playback

Sir Bakerman

Sir Bakerman

Active Member
Hello again,

This may sound crazy but here goes:

I am still assembling my tube separates system and have run into a minor problem hopefully someone here can tell me if I am completely off my rocker or am on the right path.

I just purchased a Schiit Valhalla 2 pre-amp for use in my current system. My current chain is Thorens TD150 turntable > Little Bear Phono amp > B&K Pro10 Pre Amp > Dynaco ST-35 Tube Amplifier > Speakers.

My dilemma is I was going to replace the B&K Pro10 with the Valhalla 2 and be done with it. However the Valhalla 2 does not have a MONO switch. The B&K Pro10 does.

My question is this: Can I put the Valhalla 2 in the chain AFTER the B&K Pro10 to utilize the MONO switch with out affecting the sound ( other than changing it to MONO )? The B&K Pro10 has a DIRECT BYPASS switch as well. My thinking is that by enabling the MONO and Direct Bypass switches before the Valhalla 2 it would feed the Valhalla 2 a MONO source signal, thus allowing for MONO playback.

Does this make sense? The reason I am asking is I have a bunch of MONO LP’s old and new and I do love the way they sound. I cannot afford a $1000 ( + ) all tube preamp, so I am trying to utilize what I have.

The sole reason for the purchase of the Valhalla 2 was to remove the B&K and have an all tube sound system. Realizing the loss of the MONO switch led to this crazy idea.

Thanks for any help.

Steve

P. S. Eventually I will just get another Turntable and a MONO cart on the cheap to remedy this problem.
 
Register to hide this ad
If you feed a mono source into your Valhalla 2 you'll simply get the same mono signal in both channels. Job done. No need for the B&K. Or am I missing something?
 
Dandy said:
If you feed a mono source into your Valhalla 2 you'll simply get the same mono signal in both channels. Job done. No need for the B&K. Or am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Dandy,
Thanks for the response. That would send identical signals to both channels. The sound stage would not be centered properly. I received the Valhalla 2 last night so I will hook it up and see how it sounds on both stereo and Mono playback.

Then I will try what I asked to see / hear what difference it makes. Really wish I could get an affordable phono stage with a mono switch built in. Everything I have found costs $$1000 or more. Cheaper to buy a used TT and Mono cart. Worst case scenario would be two separate systems. Oh well "the beat goes on..."
 
There can be no soundstage with a mono recording as their is no difference in two channels for our ears to construct one. I know that good mono recordings can still sound like amazingly lifelike, but not 3D. As long as the two channels are in phase they should sound identical. Think of two monoblocs each playing the same mono signal.
 
You don't need a mono cart either. A spare Stereo cart will work better, and cause less wear on the MONO LP's. Just tie the LEFT and RIGHT signal and ground pins on the cart together, and run 1 RCA cable to the preamp. A "Y" adapter at the preamp input, and you're done.
 
Sir Bakerman said:
Hello again,

This may sound crazy but here goes:

I am still assembling my tube separates system and have run into a minor problem hopefully someone here can tell me if I am completely off my rocker or am on the right path.

I just purchased a Schiit Valhalla 2 pre-amp for use in my current system. My current chain is Thorens TD150 turntable > Little Bear Phono amp > B&K Pro10 Pre Amp > Dynaco ST-35 Tube Amplifier > Speakers.

My dilemma is I was going to replace the B&K Pro10 with the Valhalla 2 and be done with it. However the Valhalla 2 does not have a MONO switch. The B&K Pro10 does.

My question is this: Can I put the Valhalla 2 in the chain AFTER the B&K Pro10 to utilize the MONO switch with out affecting the sound ( other than changing it to MONO )? The B&K Pro10 has a DIRECT BYPASS switch as well. My thinking is that by enabling the MONO and Direct Bypass switches before the Valhalla 2 it would feed the Valhalla 2 a MONO source signal, thus allowing for MONO playback.

Does this make sense? The reason I am asking is I have a bunch of MONO LP’s old and new and I do love the way they sound. I cannot afford a $1000 ( + ) all tube preamp, so I am trying to utilize what I have.

The sole reason for the purchase of the Valhalla 2 was to remove the B&K and have an all tube sound system. Realizing the loss of the MONO switch led to this crazy idea.

Thanks for any help.

Steve

P. S. Eventually I will just get another Turntable and a MONO cart on the cheap to remedy this problem.
Click to expand...

Unless you are using specialized mono cartridge, you do not need mono switch. If you use mono switch to combine channels from stereo cartridge - sound quality will be worse. This is due to some phase imbalance that causes cancellation at certain frequences.

With mono cartridge you cave to direct single output into both channels, and here mono switch comes handy.
 
for_p1 said:
Unless you are using specialized mono cartridge, you do not need mono switch. If you use mono switch to combine channels from stereo cartridge - sound quality will be worse. This is due to some phase imbalance that causes cancellation at certain frequences.

With mono cartridge you cave to direct single output into both channels, and here mono switch comes handy.
Click to expand...


Playback ( Beatles Parlophone Mono ) directly through the Valhalla 2 sounded "bloomy". When I play back using the Pro10 mono switch enabled it sounds beautiful. I realized some of my ideas were overkill. Therefore I will not be getting a new MONO cart, instead I am going to pick up a used turntable route THAT through the B&K P10 and send that through the Schiit SYS switch. It won't be perfect ( meaning ALL tube ) but it will sound better than what I'm getting now. FWIW the stereo playback through the Valhalla 2 was wonderful. If Schiit ever makes a tube phonostage with a MONO switch I will be one of the first to purchase it.

Thanks for the responses. This place is ALWAYS helpful.

Steve
 
Sir Bakerman said:
Playback ( Beatles Parlophone Mono ) directly through the Valhalla 2 sounded "bloomy". When I play back using the Pro10 mono switch enabled it sounds beautiful. I realized some of my ideas were overkill. Therefore I will not be getting a new MONO cart, instead I am going to pick up a used turntable route THAT through the B&K P10 and send that through the Schiit SYS switch. It won't be perfect ( meaning ALL tube ) but it will sound better than what I'm getting now. FWIW the stereo playback through the Valhalla 2 was wonderful. If Schiit ever makes a tube phonostage with a MONO switch I will be one of the first to purchase it.

Thanks for the responses. This place is ALWAYS helpful.

Steve
Click to expand...

If you hear big change while engaging mono switch with stereo cartridge and mono record - your table needs alignment. I spend considerable time tuning cartridge alignment until I hear very little difference. Check is usually done using special test record with A+B, A-B and one side only tones.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom