Single Speaker Mono Setup on Stereo System

A

Anthony Z

New Member
Hello,

I'm looking to setup my system for single speaker mono listening. The components are pretty straightforward: turntable, integrated receiver (stereo only), one speaker.

My plan is to run the TT into one channel of the amp via Y cable, then run one speaker cable out of the same channel of the receiver to the speaker.

In other words: TT -> Y cable -> amp -> speaker.

Two questions:

1- don't see why this wouldn't work. Any potential problems I'm overlooking?

2- are there better, similarly priced ways to go about this?

Thanks,

AZ
 
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Welcome!

It will work just fine but one channel will be useless unless you get ahold of a mono amp specifically designed for mono listening.
 
Hi,

Better would be to press the "mono" button, if your preamp is so equipped, and connect the turntable as usual. Then turn the balance knob all the way to the side you want to use with the speaker. A "Y" connector off the turntable will not result in optimal cartridge loading, and mess with the frequency response a bit.
 
[QUOTE="maxhifi, post: 10502631, mem

Better would be to press the "mono" button, if your preamp is so equipped, and connect the turntable as usual. Then turn the balance knob all the way to the side you want to use with the speaker. A "Y" connector off the turntable will not result in optimal cartridge loading, and mess with the frequency response a bit.[/QUOTE]


Why is that?
 
I would buy a pair of speakers if it were me, I don't think its going to sound right what you are trying to do. good luck though and welcome to AK!
 
Anthony Z said:
[QUOTE="maxhifi, post: 10502631, mem

Better would be to press the "mono" button, if your preamp is so equipped, and connect the turntable as usual. Then turn the balance knob all the way to the side you want to use with the speaker. A "Y" connector off the turntable will not result in optimal cartridge loading, and mess with the frequency response a bit.
Click to expand...


Why is that?[/QUOTE]

Moving magnet cartridges are designed to give their correct frequency response when a cable of a specific capacitance is terminated with a 47k resistor, which is internal to the amplifier's phono preamplifier. If you parallel the two channels (left and right), they won't be seeing the correct load, since there's two channels together now loaded with 47k. To make things right, this internal resistor could be changed to 22k, but easier to make things mono after the phono preamp.
 
Some where on the web there is a Y not to Y. Or maybe to Y or not to Y. I read it 10+ years ago. Cliff notes ok to split the signal but not to sum them.
 
Anthony Z said:
Thanks for the input all. So instead of a Y cable, would an adapter (like the one linked below) avoid the problems that associated with Y-ing pre phono?

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/produ...ntid=50-9042&gclid=CJuo9YPMxdMCFYS3wAod97EMDw

The problem is that my receiver doesn't have a mono switch. It's also integrated, so whatever stereo-to-mono course I take will have to come before the signal hits the receiver.
Click to expand...

From the website "This device accepts L/R line level stereo signal, and provides two identical mono outputs"

A turntable is not a line level signal, so this device will not work. Try to use the Y connector, it won't harm anything, it just won't sound as good as it possibly could. Another thing you could try, is plug in a phono cable between the L and R jacks of the "tape out" If they aren't buffered, this will give you a mono signal.

If your turntable has a built-in RIAA preamp the device you linked to will work.
 
2 options:
1. As mentioned, use a mono button if you have one.
2. Turn the balance knob all the way to the side the speaker is on.

Did I mention both of those are free!
 
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