Post by Chris on Mar 17, 2023 11:40:37 GMT -5
I got wind of this a few weeks ago. It is now official. The new Super Mono feature looks fantastic. As many know, I am very fond of this device and it is my default phono amp now for many years.
Details here.
Details here.
SUPER MONO (#10)
Super Mono has been something I've been working on since the Puffin launched the Summer of 2018, and am thrilled with the end results. I truly believe it will be one of the most important vinyl innovations released this year. What is it? When using a stereo cartridge with mono vinyl record, the Puffin quickly - hundreds of times a second - determines if the left, right, or summed (typical mono: left and right added together) has the best noise floor characteristics and uses that section of the vinyl. This eliminates a lot of noise just using the LP itself without digital filtering or interpolation. Then it greatly helps Magic to work more effectively - so both Super Mono and Magic are a fantastic pairing.
Key points:
- Super Mono is geared towards true mono PVC records - both LPs and 45s. Effectiveness with 78 shellacs is unknown at this point.
- The Puffin's old "Mono" setting is now called "Mono Summed". They are the same. A record graded with Super Mono versus Mono Summed will typically be one full grade higher (e.g. B- becomes A-). You can objectively compare by grading a record both ways. Note that these Modes (Stereo, Mono Summed, etc.) affect the Grade but the Magic setting (currently) does not.
- Unlike the previous Mono, Left, and Right functions, Super Mono doesn't work with Stereo. You can't chop up stereo music and get anything useful. Indeed, it will sound bad and "digital". I worked on some detection schemes because I hate anything bad sounding coming out of the Puffin, but the detection schemes just lessened Super Mono's performance and also hid from the user that we were using a subpar mode for a stereo disc. So don't use Stereo records with Super Mono, and if the music sounds bad, check this first. Super Mono also throws an asterisk (*) when it detects dissimilar channels. This shows up for stereo LPs, but will show up for damaged sections of a mono track, too. I've seen it a lot on inner and outer edges - probably damage from stylus due to tonearm error (most likely a short arm in the past and not your current tonearm error). The "stereo detect" asterisk is a handy feature to help you determine if an album is mono, too, as some albums aren't specified. Do watch out for unmarked records that are a collection of mono and stereo tracks. With use, you'll intuitively get a feel for this. Note: the asterisk isn't currently useful with 78s due to the detection scheme that I use.
- Like Magic, I encourage use of your best records! This will make your clean mono pressings sound amazing - some will sound the absolute best that you have ever heard. If you have a nice mono collection you'll want to re-listen to all of it.
- You'll get addicted to collecting mono. Get that scuffed up mono copy of Flowers from the $3 discount bin! Starting place for mono rookies: Rolling Stones, Beatles, Beach Boys, Bob Dylan. Still plenty of affordable early 60s mono jazz records are available. Classical LPs are available for $1.50 on Discogs - find a good seller and load up. Super Mono works wonders on these dynamic classical discs and makes them so enjoyable.
Super Mono has been something I've been working on since the Puffin launched the Summer of 2018, and am thrilled with the end results. I truly believe it will be one of the most important vinyl innovations released this year. What is it? When using a stereo cartridge with mono vinyl record, the Puffin quickly - hundreds of times a second - determines if the left, right, or summed (typical mono: left and right added together) has the best noise floor characteristics and uses that section of the vinyl. This eliminates a lot of noise just using the LP itself without digital filtering or interpolation. Then it greatly helps Magic to work more effectively - so both Super Mono and Magic are a fantastic pairing.
Key points:
- Super Mono is geared towards true mono PVC records - both LPs and 45s. Effectiveness with 78 shellacs is unknown at this point.
- The Puffin's old "Mono" setting is now called "Mono Summed". They are the same. A record graded with Super Mono versus Mono Summed will typically be one full grade higher (e.g. B- becomes A-). You can objectively compare by grading a record both ways. Note that these Modes (Stereo, Mono Summed, etc.) affect the Grade but the Magic setting (currently) does not.
- Unlike the previous Mono, Left, and Right functions, Super Mono doesn't work with Stereo. You can't chop up stereo music and get anything useful. Indeed, it will sound bad and "digital". I worked on some detection schemes because I hate anything bad sounding coming out of the Puffin, but the detection schemes just lessened Super Mono's performance and also hid from the user that we were using a subpar mode for a stereo disc. So don't use Stereo records with Super Mono, and if the music sounds bad, check this first. Super Mono also throws an asterisk (*) when it detects dissimilar channels. This shows up for stereo LPs, but will show up for damaged sections of a mono track, too. I've seen it a lot on inner and outer edges - probably damage from stylus due to tonearm error (most likely a short arm in the past and not your current tonearm error). The "stereo detect" asterisk is a handy feature to help you determine if an album is mono, too, as some albums aren't specified. Do watch out for unmarked records that are a collection of mono and stereo tracks. With use, you'll intuitively get a feel for this. Note: the asterisk isn't currently useful with 78s due to the detection scheme that I use.
- Like Magic, I encourage use of your best records! This will make your clean mono pressings sound amazing - some will sound the absolute best that you have ever heard. If you have a nice mono collection you'll want to re-listen to all of it.
- You'll get addicted to collecting mono. Get that scuffed up mono copy of Flowers from the $3 discount bin! Starting place for mono rookies: Rolling Stones, Beatles, Beach Boys, Bob Dylan. Still plenty of affordable early 60s mono jazz records are available. Classical LPs are available for $1.50 on Discogs - find a good seller and load up. Super Mono works wonders on these dynamic classical discs and makes them so enjoyable.
