Played a New Mono LP on Stereo System- Sounded Like Kreploch- Why?

I have read that you need either a mono cart or some way to set the output to mono within the system for Mono LPs to sound good on a 2-channel setup.
But I wasn't expecting this bad.
Received a new mono version of an old Traffic LP (didn't realize I ordered the mono). Put it on- and man, it sounded washed out and bland.
Is this really because I don't have true mono playback capability or could the recording be the reason? Thanks.

 

Probably the recording is the problem, not the format.

 

Whatever you read was wrong.

 

Turn it up louder

 

Seek out the (I think) current issue of Stereophile. Art Dudley has an informative article on this exact topic. I think you'd find it interesting.

Edit: here it is http://www.stereophile.com/content/listening-148

 

Search this forum for "stereo/mono" switch.. a member here (forget his name sorry!) makes & sells them for a very reasonable price... around $30 IIRC. Or you can play with Y-cords and DIY for a bit cheaper. But you'll need a receiver with a tape monitor button or have to plug and unplug cords all the time.

 

Maybe your speakers aren't properly in phase?

That'd do it.

(This would effect stereo playback as well, but it'll be REALLY obvious with mono)

A decent mono LP should sound super present and "punchy".

 

I like kreplach.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kreplach

jerol

 

Is that the first mono lp you've played through your system?

If every other lp sounds good through your system, and this lp sounds bad, I'd lay the blame on the album. Generally, new mono reissues don't really improve much, if at all, with a mono button or cartridge. Who reissued the lp?

 

Which Traffic album?

I have the mono CD of Heaven Is In Your Mind, sounds amazing. Try another mono LP ...

 

Some old mono mixes are crap sounding - could be a fold down. I find modern Mono sounds fine in a stereo set up. I have amp with a mono switch that is out of the system at present and in some cases sound was worse with it switched in.

 

don't have another mono lp. this one was reissued by sundazed music.

 

this is the one.

 

Were you able to get a nice center image from your speakers? Was it three dimensional? Did you get a sense of space back to forth?
This is what I get from a nice mono LP. About your experience, it is hard to tell whether it is the fault of the specific pressing from Sundazed or a problem with the configuration of your system.

 

strange as it seems, this actually helped.

 

center image is perfect. the biggest issue is some of the vocals seem to fade in and out slightly as if they are weak, mainly on the first track, paper sun.
starting to dig the music though. very cool

 

If it's a Sundazed lp, it was mastered properly, which means that dynamically it's right to be able to turn it up. And that first Traffic lp is kinda murky to begin with. At least the original UK(I have a mono and stereo).

Welcome to the right way to be able to listen to a record.

 

I wasn't joking.

 

There is a tendency in this forum to worship everything mono. In reality there are good mono mixes and bad mono mixes. I don't have the Traffic in mono but maybe it is just not a very good mix and that's what you are hearing.

 

Shouldn't be the recording, although it could be just that pressing. The first Traffic album, in mono (speaking of the UK here) has a lot of punch and clarity - a pretty good sounding recording & mix. There is a Sundazed reissue of the US version in mono with a couple different tracks and sequencing. Can't speak for that one.

 

What sort of stylus? I've heard some stylus types on a stereo cart are "wrong" for mono.

I'm just now listening to "Paper Sun" on the mono disc - it does sound like someone was riding faders on the backing vocs somewhat; very subtle though.

Anyway, hope you can solve it - it's a magical album, IMO.

 

Agree those Mono LPS have to be played louder otherwise they can be quite murky. This was probably the intention with mono mixes. Found this especially with the Mono 'Are You Experienced' which so many complained about. Using a mono switch didn't help much. Mono 'Paper Sun' sounds like it was mixed to sound good on radio though don't know if the album version is same as the single mix.

 

Jeez Louise. So mono is murky, but to bring the detail.....you turn up the volume. Why not, instead of having the musicians bunched up to record them in mono, have them stand further apart during recording? For better stereo separation.

 

Yes Raunch, as usual, is right. Just listened to my original UK mono of "Traffic", and I was wrong, Not sure what I was thinking of, but this is not a murky pressing at all. Very alive and dynamic. Again, I haven't listened to the Sundazed pressing but knowing Irwin's work I'm sure it sounds pretty good. But at least wanted to correct my earlier statement.

 

My point is they can sound closed in and dull at low volumes. Turn up and they are clear and dynamic - not suggesting the recordings are murky. Just been listening to Mono Doors' Strange Days RSD - excellent sound but a rather different experience to the stereo.