So I had some time to kill today while on the road, and went to a book/vintage vinyl store. Their vinyl selections were very good, but waaay overpriced (as in double what I'm used to paying in big cities). While I was brousing around, I discovered a box of 10" lps. I went through a mono craze a couple years ago and my collection languished as I went towards early stereo recordings (so many different things in the vinyl world to catch your interest). SO....I raided through the 10-inchers and found about a dozen titles that I had been looking for during my mono craze (things like Les Paul, Doris Day, Andrews Sisters, Nat King Cole), and saw the pile of boxes labeled for 45's. I have never been into 45's as they seem like way too much work for 1 song, and the fact that they are always mashed together in junky bins turns me off. But there was on box that was labeled "EP's". I opened it up to discover the cutest little things I have ever seen!! There were little box sets of records...45's of course...with 2-3 songs per side, with 3-4 records per box. They had liner notes, and artwork, and sleeves...it was like life in minature!! I grabbed a bunch of these as they were between 2-5 dollars depending on the titles, and they were all in mint- condition (the benefit of having a box around the little suckers).

I've been playing several of them for the past few hours on my headphoned, portable rig (.8mil conical stylus...almost perfect for mono) with the mono slector on the tube reciever, and these things sound fantastic!! This has re-invigorated my love for mono...now I'll have to go out and get all new cabinets for little records...and a new RCM wand for my VPI...and new sleeves and jackets...oh crikey!!!

James R.

EP's are a lot of fun and had a short resurgance (along with 10" albums) in the early 80's.

The only 7" EP I have is Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour soundtrack on Parlophone UK in the stereo version. The LP came later, with the soundtrack EP on the first side, and some collected tracks from singles for a second side. The small double 7" version has a gatefold cover with the book, similar to the LP.

i have the re-issue of THE WHO - Ready, Steady, Who and i absolutely love it. ep's are nice for a short little listen, when you don't have 45min for a full LP.

growing up in the 1950s and having a older sister who for the most part brought home all the records and yes i remember the eps you mentioned .

i believe the very first i saw was from the everly brothers and elvis and the records came in a hard cover picture sleeve and the wax slid out the side rather than the top as the soft covers did .


yes ive seen the beatles mono english version of magical mystery tour booklet hardcover ep and of course there were the hardcover promotional radio eps the beatles had as well which are very collectable . few beatles eps issued in the states but in england it was very common .

ive found that the worth of some of those picture covers are more valuable today than the wax itself . most of the time the covers ended up taped on a wall or disscarded or just lost . the lps covers from the 50s and 60s were like a work of art in some cases which are very collectable .

g6120

Very cool. Although I sometimes get frustrated with 7"s, they can be a lot of fun when you're in the mood to sit down and go through them, and the sound quality can be great, contrary to what a lot of people believe. You're making want to get a mono cartridge again, I'm so curious what that sounds like. You've probably told me this before, but what headphones are you using?

Dave

Very cool. Although I sometimes get frustrated with 7"s, they can be a lot of fun when you're in the mood to sit down and go through them, and the sound quality can be great, contrary to what a lot of people believe. You're making want to get a mono cartridge again, I'm so curious what that sounds like. You've probably told me this before, but what headphones are you using?

Dave

Beleive it or not, an early stereo, or modern "cheap" stereo cart can sound as good as a true mono cart. I flirted with the true one channel mono carts for a while (the Denon and Ortofon SPU's were at the top of my list), but when I picked up my first Garrard type A, it came with a Shure M3d....and it did mono damn well! I did a little research and it turns out the the M3d was their first stereo cart at a time when the market was saturated with mono. And at that time, companies thought about backwards compatability (hence why you see at the bottom of early RCA, Capitol, and Columbia mono ablums, "suitable for play on either mono or stereo systems") since they didn't expect people to dump thier entire record collections since a new technology came out. Anyway, a mono cart is simply a .1mil conical stylus with a two channel lead. The Shure M3d's are simply a .08mil conical cart with 4 leads (and you just switched your pre to "mono" to sum the channels) as was the Pickering V15, and several of the Empire, Decca, and ortofon carts of the period...so you can play both mono and stereo. For modern carts, the Stanton V500.3 (which is just a modern version of the Pickering V-15 as Stanton owned Pickering), or the AT70l (got one free on a Dual 1019, and after swapping 3 differnt carts, the at70l went back on as it was the perfect combination), are two that I own that sound outstanding. What they lack in top end details they make up for in lack of surface noise, and overall vibrant presentation. I do have two true mono carts. A GE VrII triple play with very clean needles, but haven't mounted it to see how it sounds (my goal was to mount that on a ROK headshell for my ROK arm so I could play my mono and 78's on the 124 but then I got distracted...perhaps now I'll get back into it), and an Ortofon D25m...which is a fantastic sounding cart, but only for mono as it is a .1mil and will damage stereo grooves.
With these ep's and the mono albums I picked up on this trip, the Stanton 500.3 I got for $30 at Guitar Center (along with the Stanton T50x that I bought to tide me over) has really pleased me. The imaging is fantastic, the sound is lush and warm and the highs are detailed and have a bit of sparkle. It lacks the three dimensionality that my Sumiko can give, and you loose the textures of instruments (like hearing the texture of a cymbal as a brush moves over it), but you get 80% of the information and what you don't get you really don't miss as what your hearing is spectacular....and more importantly what your also not hearing is all that surface noise. For those reading this who don't know about mono grooves, the mono groove only has info at the bottom, and not on the sides. So as an eliptical stereo needle rides in a larger mono groove, it's getting the info at the bottom...as well as all the dead sidewall information that gives what we hear as surface noise....and bouncing around a bit as the groove is larger than the needle. A .1mil (or .08 mil) conical is just the right size and only picks up what was intended to be heard...but they do omitt some info in a modern stereo groove...the trade-off.

I think it's more important to have a cart that is in keeping with the type used at the time of an albums pressing than going for the hottest modern mono cart...and the .08mil conicals fit that bill....and do stereo damn well!!

In terms of cans, I use AKG k240 studio headphones at home (I needed a more sealed can as opposed to an open can even though open is more comfortable, but very audible to others in the room) and I have been using the Bose over-ear headphones that sell for around $160 from Target. I picked those up to satiate me on the road (90 day return policy at Target thank you very much), but for all that I hate Bose, they aren't too bad. I will compare them to my AKG's when I get home.

James R.

I may have a dozen or so 45 RPM 12' albums, just a couple weeks ago I played a Foo Fighters box set for the first time and when I dropped the needle it had a weird sound (sometimes this sort of music can get pretty interesting) but anyway I pushed the 45 speed on my SOTA and laughed, I didnt know I bought a 45RPM album.

I may have a dozen or so 45 RPM 12' albums, just a couple weeks ago I played a Foo Fighters box set for the first time and when I dropped the needle it had a weird sound (sometimes this sort of music can get pretty interesting) but anyway I pushed the 45 speed on my SOTA and laughed, I didnt know I bought a 45RPM album.

Funny...one of the Les Paul albums I picked up had a tune that souded great with lots of fast guitar picking and scaling..then I realized I had the speed at 33, and not 45 which it should have been, and when I turned the speed up, my mouth dropped...no way someone could play that fast!!!

James R.

I may have a dozen or so 45 RPM 12' albums, just a couple weeks ago I played a Foo Fighters box set for the first time and when I dropped the needle it had a weird sound (sometimes this sort of music can get pretty interesting) but anyway I pushed the 45 speed on my SOTA and laughed, I didnt know I bought a 45RPM album.

Been there, done that. By the way yours is one of the most intriguing avatars I've ever seen on AK.

Thanks for all that info James. What I just don't understand is when people talk about a "flat earth" sound when listening to mono, but maybe it's something you have to hear to understand.

Thanks, I think thats a compliment. I found that online a couple years ago and even burned the image into a piece of wood for my audio room.

Been there, done that. By the way yours is one of the most intriguing avatars I've ever seen on AK.

Thanks for all that info James. What I just don't understand is when people talk about a "flat earth" sound when listening to mono, but maybe it's something you have to hear to understand.

Not sure what the "flat earth" means, but it could imply the imaging of a mono recording. I have some spectacular albums that I own in both mono and stereo, and the exprience is much different. The mono recordings have a very full mid-range, and the sound is in layers...as in you can hear the distance of instruments, vocalists, etc from the microphone. It actually is more akin to what you would hear if sitting in a club with a band in front of you on a small stage. The stereo recordings give you that 3-dimensional sound of hearing individual instruments around you....it almost feels a little forced at times. I could see the "flat earth" implication meaning that the sound is in a flat plane in front of you, rather than surounding you....but it's just a guess.

Regardless, some of my jazz mono recordings actually sound far better in mono than stereo, as the sound is much more balanced on the mono recording. If you have a mono selector on you pre, put on one of your favorote stereo jazz albums and start with it on mono. Then, for side 2, flip it to stereo and you will be surprised at how one is not better than the other, just very different.

If you want to dabble in the mono world Mr. Lin, pick up one of those Staton V500.3 carts and play away. The joy is that they are good for mono and stereo (without damaging grooves) so if you don't want to switch your carts out to listen to stereo, you don't have to. I have long been a lover of conical carts (I own around 6 of them), and if you try one, you will see why.

James R.

Thanks, I think thats a compliment. I found that online a couple years ago and even burned the image into a piece of wood for my audio room.

It's definitely a compliment - that's what I call art!

James, how much does the Stanton cost? I could just look it up but I'm feeling a bit lazy at the moment. It would have to work with a fairly heavy tonearm too, as I can only put it on my TD125 MKII.

The further into the audio hobby I go, the farther away from conical styli I've gone as well. It's just because of the cartridge models and sound I've been chasing, but it does not at all imply that I would be opposed to trying out a conical cartridge. I am aware of the advantages they have over elliptical styli.

I actually have a lot of mono records that I almost never listen precisely because of the annoying background noise.

I paid $30 for the Stanton V500.3 at Guitar center (any Stanton dealer should have them as they are among the entry level carts)....which is less than I paid for just the replacement stylus on my vintage Pickering V-15 (which is essentially the same cart). I too have gone in your direction of looking to eek out every bit of sound from my tables (still do it), but there is something primitive and wonderful about a very simple cart, a simple table and vintage vinyl...like getting back to roots. Pick up a vintage Garrard or Dual and mount that conical cart on it. Then just use that table as your dedicated mono/early stereo table. Plus, those tables are also stackers, so you can stack your 45's and let them change all day.

James R.

I paid $30 for the Stanton V500.3 at Guitar center (any Stanton dealer should have them as they are among the entry level carts)....which is less than I paid for just the replacement stylus on my vintage Pickering V-15 (which is essentially the same cart). I too have gone in your direction of looking to eek out every bit of sound from my tables (still do it), but there is something primitive and wonderful about a very simple cart, a simple table and vintage vinyl...like getting back to roots. Pick up a vintage Garrard or Dual and mount that conical cart on it. Then just use that table as your dedicated mono/early stereo table. Plus, those tables are also stackers, so you can stack your 45's and let them change all day.

James R.

This is what I intend to do somewhere down the road, but right now there's simply no room. Heck, there's no room for the two turntables I do have. But it'll happen eventually.

I'm guessing that over 50% of my 20,000+ records are MONO.

For 78 playback, I'm using a Stanton 500 cartridge with 6 different stylii. All but one are diamond elliptical. For LP and 45 MONO playback, I use a Grado ME+ which features a 1.0 mil elliptical stylus. I've got a few conical stylii, but I prefer the elliptical profile. It just seems to bring out more detail from the records. Conical is good for badly worn records though.

Mr. Lin,

You just need to make more space! I've got three turntables set up for: LP/45 stereo, 78s, and LP/45 mono. It's a lot easier than swapping out cartridges just to play a particular record.

I'm guessing that over 50% of my 20,000+ records are MONO.

For 78 playback, I'm using a Stanton 500 cartridge with 6 different stylii. All but one are diamond elliptical. For LP and 45 MONO playback, I use a Grado ME+ which features a 1.0 mil elliptical stylus. I've got a few conical stylii, but I prefer the elliptical profile. It just seems to bring out more detail from the records. Conical is good for badly worn records though.

Mr. Lin,

You just need to make more space! I've got three turntables set up for: LP/45 stereo, 78s, and LP/45 mono. It's a lot easier than swapping out cartridges just to play a particular record.

I know, I know, but I've sort of run out of options until the lady and I move into a bigger dwelling, which will hopefully be sooner than later. So you like the Grado ME+, huh? That's one I've considered, but honestly I'd probably go with Denon's mono cart when the time comes, if I can afford it.

This is what I intend to do somewhere down the road, but right now there's simply no room. Heck, there's no room for the two turntables I do have. But it'll happen eventually.

I hear ya'. I'm only one state away, so next time you find yourself passing through the B'more area, let me know and I can demo some mono for you....trust me, you'll make room then!

James R.

EPs are definitely cool.

I have a few. A couple of Elvis Presley King Creole EPs, the Clash Cost of Living EP, the EP that came with Elvis Costello's Armed Forces, and more.

I think 45s sound better than LPs.

I may have a dozen or so 45 RPM 12' albums, just a couple weeks ago I played a Foo Fighters box set for the first time and when I dropped the needle it had a weird sound (sometimes this sort of music can get pretty interesting) but anyway I pushed the 45 speed on my SOTA and laughed, I didnt know I bought a 45RPM album.

I guess it's a good think you picked the Sota over a Linn, as the Linn would not have had the 45 button... :)

I like using the 45 EP's on my AY160 Seeburg jukebox as it has a place on the top to put the record covers in the "Hit of the week" secton made for 45 and 7" 33 EP records.
-Tony

I hear ya'. I'm only one state away, so next time you find yourself passing through the B'more area, let me know and I can demo some mono for you....trust me, you'll make room then!

James R.

Ok James, I may take you up on that eventually. I'll pick up Howard in Philly on the way, although I suspect he's heard plenty of mono in his life.

I know, I know, but I've sort of run out of options until the lady and I move into a bigger dwelling, which will hopefully be sooner than later. So you like the Grado ME+, huh? That's one I've considered, but honestly I'd probably go with Denon's mono cart when the time comes, if I can afford it.

Hi Mr. Lin,

I assume you're referring to the Denon DL-102 HO MC cartridge. I haven't had the opportunity to hear it, but that's because I'm living in NW Wyoming and I'm far, far away from any high-end audio stores.

I did study the specs on the DL-102 before I bought the Grado ME+. From what read, the DL-102 is something of a 'compromise cartridge', able to play both stereo LPs (reproduced as mono of course) and standard mono recordings. In order to do this, it's equipped with a 17 micron (0.7 mil) conical stylus, well matched to the slightly narrower stereo groove, but also capable of playing mono. I elected to go with the ME+ because it has a 1.0 mil elliptical stylus, a better match to the slightly wider groove of older 40s/50s/60s mono LPs and 45s. I also considered the Grado MC+, which features a 1.0 mil conical stylus, but opted for the elliptical stylus for what I assume would be better resolution and reproduction of fine detail.

Hi Mr. Lin,

I assume you're referring to the Denon DL-102 HO MC cartridge. I haven't had the opportunity to hear it, but that's because I'm living in NW Wyoming and I'm far, far away from any high-end audio stores.

I did study the specs on the DL-102 before I bought the Grado ME+. From what read, the DL-102 is something of a 'compromise cartridge', able to play both stereo LPs (reproduced as mono of course) and standard mono recordings. In order to do this, it's equipped with a 17 micron (0.7 mil) conical stylus, well matched to the slightly narrower stereo groove, but also capable of playing mono. I elected to go with the ME+ because it has a 1.0 mil elliptical stylus, a better match to the slightly wider groove of older 40s/50s/60s mono LPs and 45s. I also considered the Grado MC+, which features a 1.0 mil conical stylus, but opted for the elliptical stylus for what I assume would be better resolution and reproduction of fine detail.


Well that only confuses things for me. :D

I've been biased toward the Denon (yes, you've got the model right) because of the experiences of AK member JohnVF, who's used one of the Grado mono cartridges (can't recall which one) and now uses and evidently prefers the DL-102. Now, what you say about your ME+ has me thinking, but on the other hand, another AK member has recently turned me on to the idea of the wonderful type of sound one gets using a mono cartridge with a conical stylus (he's referring to the MC+ among others). For me the big attraction with the Grado models is the price, plus the fact that I've used and love Grado cartridges before. So there's a lot to think about.

Perhaps a good approach would be to try the Grado and maybe the Denon later on. Since my Thorens is a secondary turntable I'd have no issues with temporarily turning into a mono (if not 100% genuine mono) tt.

Hmm, looking at the Grado models on lpgear.com it says they both have elliptical styli.

Hmm, looking at the Grado models on lpgear.com it says they both have elliptical styli.

I too was confused by the Grado styli...they both appear to be the same. I went with the Ortofon D25m because I had an Ortofon OM10 that was collecting dust (didn't like the sound of it on any of my tables except the Dual) and you just swap the tips on the cart. It sounded fantastic, but I had it on my living room deck, and the fact of not being able to play stereo with it (as it was too big for a stereo groove), made me retire it on favor of the Shure M3d (although as I said earlier, any conical with .08mil tip will do the same thing) which could do both. The Grado is a winner though from what I hear so for the price you can't lose.

James R.

I too was confused by the Grado styli...they both appear to be the same. I went with the Ortofon D25m because I had an Ortofon OM10 that was collecting dust (didn't like the sound of it on any of my tables except the Dual) and you just swap the tips on the cart. It sounded fantastic, but I had it on my living room deck, and the fact of not being able to play stereo with it (as it was too big for a stereo groove), made me retire it on favor of the Shure M3d (although as I said earlier, any conical with .08mil tip will do the same thing) which could do both. The Grado is a winner though from what I hear so for the price you can't lose.

James R.

So is the Grado safe to use with stereo records?

So is the Grado safe to use with stereo records?

NO! :no:The Grado is a real .1mil stylus (conical or elliptical) so it's too big for a stereo groove and will damage it. This is why I went with the Ortofon (can swap tips), but I found even that a pain in the ass as the risk of breaking the cantalever goes up everytime you fiddle with it (I've got big hands and drink too much coffee). So I went with a cart that could do neither perfectly, but both very well on my living room table (where speaker placement is not ideal)....a compromise...hence the .08mil conical stereo carts (my Sumiko MC is on my basement table for critical listening). When I have the space to have two tables side by side I WILL dedicate one to mono.:music:

James