Bottlehead Forum
Bottlehead Kits => Legacy Kit Products => Seduction => Topic started by: denti alligator on January 04, 2013, 01:22:58 PM
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I ask only because I got some mono records recently and with my AT cartridge they sound horrible. With my Nagaoka MP-110 they sound fine. I'm trying to figure out if my AT cartridge is damaged, or if it simply reacts strangely to the mono.
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Wouldn't it be great if that were a mental task? The easy way would be to use a 'y' cable to input of your amp.
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So, just a Y cable into another Y cable?
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Are you sure the cartridge connections are correctly phased? Mono would make a reversed phase more obvious.
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Yes, I doubled checked. But I will try it yet again to be sure. Would the Y-cable method for summing the channels work?
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Would the Y-cable method for summing the channels work?
Yup.
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Hi there,
As far as I remember you can also just put a short bridge cable between the left and right output of the center taps of Quickie's volume pot.
Michael
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That is what I did to get mono for break in on the Orcas, more on that later. It allows the least sound to escape in my situation.
You use one with two females into a male to sum the two channels. Plug that male into another Y adapter that has one female back to two males.
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Thanks, guys. Now if this really is the problem (and I'm not home until Sunday to check) then how could I make a device to switch back and forth between stereo and mono from the Seduction?
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Mono definitely sounds better with the Y cables summing the channels.
How could I build a switch into my Seduction that would sum the channels for me?
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Mono definitely sounds better with the Y cables summing the channels.
How could I build a switch into my Seduction that would sum the channels for me?
A switch that connects T26 to T36 will do the job without disturbing any of the other important relationships. Looks to me like the space between the two output jacks is a good place.
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Cool, great. I'm a total idiot, though, so I'll need specific directions. What kind of switch do I buy and how to I implement it? What I'd like it to be able to switch back and forth between stereo and mono. Thanks in advance!
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I'm assuming something like this
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=060-350
would work. But how do I wire it? Help appreciated!
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Sam,
You need a DPST or DPST switch. That one is SPST. I can give you detailed instructions on wiring it in.
This one is DPDT with center off:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=060-518
Maybe one of these:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=060-538
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=060-508
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Thanks, Grainger. I'll order one of those last two and let you know when I'm ready to wire it. I appreciate your help.
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Paul,
Just to clarify: are you saying one could leave the existing wiring as is, and just add a loop from T26 to T36 with a SPST switch in it? Open = stereo, and closed = mono? That seems to be different from what Grainger is suggesting, and I want be sure before I do anything. Also, my Seduction is from six or seven years ago--has the circuit and numbering been static since then, or do I need to adjust? There is a post on the old BH forum on AA that suggests a switch connecting T29&T39, which is partly why I ask.
Thanks,
Brent
P.S. I hope this is okay to ask in this thread instead of starting another one.
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The old AA post, for reference: http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/bottlehead/messages/13/135353.html
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Brent,
I just helped Denti Alligator through just this. I can send you the instructions and the sketch I made if you like.
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Grainger, thanks. PM sent.
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It was a cinch. Thanks Grainger!
I have one related question: someone on another forum said he always switches his phono pre to mono for artificially made stereo recordings. So I'm thinking: will that really work? I mean, if I take a stereo pressing of Rubber Soul and switch my Seduction to mono (summing the channels), will it sound exactly like a mono pressing of Rubber Soul (since that was the original). This might convince me to get those new Beatles vinyl reissues!
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Yes, it works. It is particularly handy with early Beatles stereo. The four lads are in one speaker with all instrumentation in the other. It is awful sounding without a mono switch.
However, the mono mix of early Beatles and stereo mix are different. So you won't get the exact sound that the mono mix gives.
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Paul,
Just to clarify: are you saying one could leave the existing wiring as is, and just add a loop from T26 to T36 with a SPST switch in it? Open = stereo, and closed = mono? That seems to be different from what Grainger is suggesting, and I want be sure before I do anything. Also, my Seduction is from six or seven years ago--has the circuit and numbering been static since then, or do I need to adjust? There is a post on the old BH forum on AA that suggests a switch connecting T29&T39, which is partly why I ask...
Yes.
Either set (26/36 or 29/39) will work, but using 26/36 keeps the plate voltage out of the switch, reducing the chance of audible switch transients.
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However, the mono mix of early Beatles and stereo mix are different. So you won't get the exact sound that the mono mix gives.
That's what I feared. Why oh why did they reissue the stereo mixes on vinyl??
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I believe the summed stereo will sound considerably better than the straight stereo.
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Thanks everyone for the help.
denti, FWIW, a Beatles mono vinyl box is supposedly to be released sometime in 2013. It would be nice if they'd release individual albums in mono too. They didn't do that with the mono CDs though, so I'm not holding my breath.
Cheers,
Brent