One thing that always impressed me with a good mono recordings from what I have heard at Dave Pogue's is a tonal realism and musicality. Maybe it was the 78's, but I have also noticed this with the mono LPs I have heard. Also, it is quite easy to hear depth and layering. I thing the ideal type of music would be a small ensemble, a soloist with accompaniment, or a solo piano. Really hard to make a convincing orchestral sound in mono. Of course there is alot of popular music in mono.
A vintage source (idler turntable, mono cartridge, with 78 capability if we went that route, though it might mean a different cartridge) would be a must. Also tubes, push-pull triodes (45s) would be ideal if 3 watts can do the job. A phonostage with different equalizations if we are using 78s before RIAA. And a good horn setup that can produce a big sound. It would be very interesting and distinctive.
David
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