Mono Switch?

[kdbrink]

How important is a mono switch when shopping for a phonostage? I have a modest collection of mono LPs: modern MFSL pressings and vintage UK Stones and Beatles. I've read on some forums that it is important to be able to cancel out the stereo signals from the cartridge, but I'm still not so sure what is really necessary.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

it's important; but especially if you decide to get a mono cartridge to avoid any hum; you will be able to input just one channel and still get a summed mono signal between your speakers. depending on how the mono cartridge is wired and your phono cables it can be tricky to eliminate hum without a mono switch.

for a stereo cartridge it can eliminate an annoying off center mono signal if you don't have a balance control.

but if your preamp has a mono switch then that will suffice and the phono stage does not need one.

my preamp has a mono switch and it's always helped for me.

 

[kdbrink]

Thank you for your input. My preamp does not have a mono switch, hence the question about the phonostage.

Ken