The Beatles Fabled 2014 Mono Box Set Back in Print!

2025-05-29 02:03:43 PM

White_fox97 wrote:

The UK store link's https://ukstore.thebeatles.com/products/the-beatles-in-mono-14-lp-box-set. You're welcome :)

2025-05-29 02:20:15 PM

Lemon Curry wrote:

Re-cut for '25 release, or did they re-use the '14 parts?

2025-05-29 02:24:30 PM

Come on wrote:

The website refers to the 2014 cut. I ordered it now.

2025-05-29 02:24:37 PM

spinlps wrote:

Pressed at Pallas as well? Hopefully not GZ...

2025-05-29 03:47:57 PM

Come on wrote:

Both were pressed at Optimal according to Discogs, none was pressed at Pallas. But all of this can be read behind the link in the article. But I agree, good it’s not GZ.

2025-05-29 02:57:31 PM

Scott Aronian wrote:

Bought it as soon as the Beatles Store email arrived. Been watching for a mint original mono box for a few years, but couldn't bring myself to spend the going price. Never thought a new pressing would be issued, and so glad I waited.

2025-05-29 06:47:03 PM

tim davis wrote:

OK, ya'll win... I just ordered it. I had to have a knockdown drag out discussion with my SO afore making the purchase but ultimately she agreed. She has reserved the right to scream at me when I get this package out of the mailbox, Michael's video catch phrase of "Don't try to sneak into your room. I know what you've got behind your back, records! More new records!

2025-05-29 07:06:54 PM

Randall Kremer wrote:

As of 7pm EST, 5/29, SOLD OUT.

2025-05-29 07:50:13 PM

Come on wrote:

Crazy, really already sold out in the US and UK. Those who really need it, can still order in Germany at this time. Not sure if there are more Country related shops left.

https://destore.thebeatles.com/products/the-beatles-the-beatles-in-mono-14lp-box-set?_pos=2&_sid=dcf1a8d96&_ss=r
- 2025-05-29 08:07:10 PM
  
  Come on wrote:
  
  Crazy, there are other country related shops, but I found no other who had this set even initially.
- 2025-05-30 10:41:41 AM
  
  Andrew Twidle wrote:
  
  Thanks for this! I received the alert from the Universal UK/EU website yesterday, but it does not accept Paypal, and I had no end of annoying issues with address updates to Credit Card details from moving over a year ago, that were correct on Gpay and Shop apps, but that update was not feeding to the Beatles UK/EU stored details for an existing card used at my old address, even when I updated everything. I had a similar issue with Discogs earlier in the year. Amazon, BOL, JPC DE were all fine, so there is an issue with some of these newer, smaller, label or country websites that don't easily update address changes to existing cards. I did not think to look for a country store for Universal in Germany, until I stumbled on your link, and this worked fine since it uses Paypal and I have no issues there. Again, thank you, as Universal Germany still had stock available for pre-order this morning.
  - 2025-05-30 02:21:59 PM
    
    Come on wrote:
    
    You’re welcome! Germany sold out, too, now.

2025-05-30 02:22:17 AM

Anders Sørensen Uth wrote:

About time!! Its a tough decision though as I already have all the 2014 monos as single albums - except for White album. Off course the book would be great to have!

2025-05-30 04:02:48 AM

PeterPani wrote:

I got the 2014 box. But I could not resist to buy a second box now from the German site (I live in Austria).

2025-05-30 04:06:32 AM

PeterPani wrote:

Note: the Germas site sells 1 box for one customer, only.

2025-05-30 06:44:55 AM

MrRom92 wrote:

Since you were there perhaps you know, what type of head was used to play back the original master tapes? Full-track?

2025-06-11 10:25:10 PM

Michael Fremer wrote:

Yes. A Studer A-80 equipped with a mono head. I have a photo but didn't include it in the story..

2025-05-30 11:46:55 AM

Larry Casey wrote:

I purchased the mono box set and the ort 2m mono cartridge for a true mono experience. A total delight and fantastic purchase for this buyer. My set is basically noise free through every album and the vinyl was extremely well done. A fantastic spin and being a Beatles fan I have been through all the albums frequently and the vinyl has held up and remains noise free.

I think this is a no brainer purchase for any Beatles enthusiast.

Happy Spinning

2025-05-30 12:08:44 PM

Bill Bird wrote:

Website repeatedly crashed. Never got a chance to order. Frustrating experience.

2025-05-30 05:44:27 PM

Tomek wrote:

The box is still available in France: https://frstore.thebeatles.com/products/the-beatles-in-mono-14lp

2025-05-31 06:29:29 AM

tim davis wrote:

Larry Casey's comment got me to thinking seriously about acquiring my 1st ever mono cartridge for this set as well. I have a few mono jazz & country records but until now I've just played them with a stereo cart & activated the mono switch on my ancient Kenwood C2 preamp. DO any/all ya'll use a dedicated mono cartridge for these modern mono reissues?

2025-05-31 09:22:24 AM

Anders Sørensen Uth wrote:

I have a Hana SL mono cartridge. While new reissues in mono does gain from it, the difference is much bigger with vintage mono records, especially concerning noise. At least that’s my experience. I have around 100 mono records - old or new.
2025-05-31 11:39:58 AM

PeterPani wrote:

Most modern Mono cartridges are not true mono, but mono wired stereo cartridges. True mono cartridges block vertical movement, but are mainly vintage cartridges and made for the wider tracks of the ‘50s. To go real mono on modern mono pressings like the Beatles Mono Box the best solution would be a true mono with a needle for modern grooves. I let EMT refurbish a true mono EMT OFD 15 and let them put the cartridge into an Ortofon shell. This one does the trick for sure! The sound is so much more solid (closer to reel to reel) that I do not even try to compare it with one of my stereo cartridges anymore.
- 2025-06-01 06:37:04 AM
  
  Come on wrote:
  
  In my memory, that’s not true and ChatGPT also summarizes that true mono carts (independent of the stylus) are only suited for vintage records cut with a mono cutter head.
  
  Summary of ChatGPT (I can only paste it in two parts):
  
  When playing a modern mono record that was cut with a stereo cutting head using a true mono cartridge that can only track lateral movement, several significant disadvantages arise:
  
  ⸻
  
  🔍 Technical Details & Drawbacks
  1. Non-linear distortion due to vertical signal components • Modern mono records cut with stereo heads often include small vertical signal components, even if marketed as “mono.” • A true mono cartridge that only responds to lateral (side-to-side) movement will ignore or misinterpret these vertical elements, resulting in distortion or tonal inaccuracies. • Especially noticeable with transients, sibilants, percussion, or dense mixes.
  ⸻
  1. Risk of mechanical mismatch / mistracking • Pure mono cartridges generally have little or no vertical compliance. • When the stylus encounters vertical modulations, it mechanically resists them, which can lead to: • loss of contact with the groove (loss of detail), • excessive record wear, or even • groove damage.
  ⸻
  1. Incomplete retrieval of the audio signal • Modern mono reissues (e.g. by Music Matters, Blue Note, Deutsche Grammophon) are often not cut 100% laterally. • A cartridge that only tracks lateral motion misses subtle parts of the audio signal, leading to a narrower and less complete sound image.
  ⸻
  1. Overemphasized surface noise • Rumble, pressing defects, or cutting artifacts on stereo-cut mono records often appear as vertical anomalies. • A mono-only cartridge that doesn’t accommodate vertical motion may translate these into exaggerated noise, increasing perceived surface interference.
  ⸻
  1. Electrical incompatibility with stereo phono stages • Many true mono cartridges are single-channel by design. • When connected to stereo phono inputs, this can cause hum, imbalanced levels, or signal summing issues if not properly adapted.
  - 2025-06-01 07:25:56 PM
    
    bwb wrote:
    
    I respectfully submit ChatGPT is full of crap. every weakness of true mono cart is actually a benefit.
    
    A cartridge that only tracks lateral motion misses subtle parts of the audio signal, leading to a narrower and less complete sound image. it is mono, it is narrow by definition, if it is wide something is wrong.
    
    **Overemphasized surface noise ** a true mono cart ignores surface noise
    
    A true mono cartridge that only responds to lateral (side-to-side) movement will ignore or misinterpret these vertical elements, resulting in distortion or tonal inaccuracies. vertical elements are noise, they are ignored by true mono cart
    
    vertical anomalies... A mono-only cartridge that doesn’t accommodate vertical motion may translate these into exaggerated noise, increasing perceived surface interference. that is the beauty of a true mono cart, it ignores these anomalies.
    
    When connected to stereo phono inputs, this can cause hum, imbalanced levels, or signal summing issues if not properly adapted. true, so properly adapt it and there is no problem
    - 2025-06-01 08:30:16 PM
      
      Come on wrote:
      
      I think you left out content that was needed for the ChatGPT arguments to make sense. The arguments were different from what you responded. But it’s too complicated now to clarify this, makes sense to stop here.
      - 2025-06-02 12:19:36 AM
        
        bwb wrote:
        
        I didn't want to repeat, the whole thing so picked out what thought was the gist of the point and then refuted it.
        
        ....This alone tells you the AI grabbed bits of information but can't actually understand what mono is all about misses subtle parts of the audio signal, leading to a narrower and less complete sound image Like I said, mono is supposed to be narrow so how is that an issue, and how is it "less complete?" The other points are likewise incorrect.
        
        ...but agreed, this forum is way to awkward to carry on much of a meaningful discussion.
        
        2025-06-02 05:26:07 AM
        
        tim davis wrote:
        
        The forum may not support a meaningful discussion but it's more up than to supporting a silly one & that's where I come in. Isn't ChatGPT all digital? Trusting it to be unbiased about analog is a lot like hiring cows to promote your chicken restaurant.
        
        2025-06-02 12:17:37 PM
        
        Come on wrote:
        
        If you read and scroll down a few of these SH posts on the SH forum (and others on the web), it gets obvious, that the basic experience or recommendation is similar to the ChatGPT result, that a true mono cart is made for true mono cuts only/mainly. Results with modern mono cuts may partly give favored sound compared to summed channels or a modern mono cart, but it’s rather not expected or noteworthy. There’s simply nothing contrary to be found.
        
        I’d welcome every further expert opinion of any kind.
        
        I hope this post gets through with those links.
        
        https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/new-your-questions-answered-how-to-properly-master-an-audiophile-vinyl-record.1166608/page-3#post-31370565
        
        https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/thinking-of-buying-a-mono-cartridge-need-help-thanks.226695/page-4#post-19062756
        
        https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/thinking-of-buying-a-mono-cartridge-need-help-thanks.226695/page-4#post-19098986
        
        https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/a-special-custom-grado-labs-epoch-phono-cartridge-in-mono-is-here-what-albums-can-be-played-on-it.769737/#post-19328946
        
        https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/a-special-custom-grado-labs-epoch-phono-cartridge-in-mono-is-here-what-albums-can-be-played-on-it.769737/page-3#post-19343461
        
        2025-06-02 01:00:50 PM
        
        bwb wrote:
        
        There’s simply nothing contrary to be found. Ortofon appears to disagree with you
        
        https://ortofon.com/pages/what-is-mono
        
        It is worth noting that when a properly aligned stereo cutterhead is used to cut a mono record, there is no difference compared to using a mono head as long as the signal supplied is identical for both channels.
        
        2025-06-02 03:59:25 PM
        
        Come on wrote:
        
        First it's important to note, that I have no real own opinion...I just point out what I read.
        
        Also Ortofon doesn't disagree with the opinions I cited.
        
        The cartridge they promote behind the link you provided as the one (among other similar constructed they have) to explicitely be used for vintage and modern mono records liks the Beatles reissues (not just vintage mono records), has just the lateral coils connected, but as the designer explains, it has also vertical compliance (unlike mono carts we spoke of, which are stiff in vertical direction). The vertical compiance is the reason why this Ortofon cart can be used also for modern mono records without any problems.
        
        The other abstract you cited about no difference between a proper aligned stereo cutterhead used or a mono head doesn't contradict the opinions I mentioned either...because in those opinions a "proper" alignment is doubted in most cases. Remember JR's (Wally) hints on even strong azimuth errors in cutter heads.
        
        I'm sorry, but I still found no contradictions, rather confirmations. Your practical experiences are a different topic which I don't doubt, they are yours.
        
        Any different professional opinions still very welsome if you find...so far I didn't come across them.
- 2025-06-01 06:37:40 AM
  
  Come on wrote:
  
  Part 2:
  
  ✅ Recommended Alternatives for Modern Mono Records
  
  If you’re mainly listening to mono reissues (post-1970 or recent reissues), a true mono cartridge with only lateral tracking is not optimal.
  
  Better options include:
  
  Option 1: Stereo cartridge with mono switch or summing • Electrically sum L+R channels → 100% compatibility with all mono cuts. • Vertical noise is canceled out via phase inversion → cleaner signal.
  
  Option 2: Modern mono-compatible cartridges with vertical compliance • Examples: • Ortofon 2M Mono, • Lyra Helikon Mono, • Grado MC+ / ME+, • Benz Micro Mono, • Miyajima Zero (special case: true mono but designed to tolerate vertical movement)
  
  These prioritize lateral tracking but can mechanically handle vertical movement without distortion or damage.
  
  ⸻
  
  🧠 Conclusion (for audiophiles and collectors)
  
  A true mono cartridge with purely lateral tracking is only appropriate if you: • are playing original mono pressings from before 1960, and • can confirm they were cut with a lateral-only mono head.
  
  For modern mono records, such a cartridge is not ideal — it risks: • distortion, • loss of fidelity, and • unnecessary record wear.
  - 2025-06-01 09:45:17 AM
    
    PeterPani wrote:
    
    Sounds convincing. But why sold EMT with huge success and ongoing positive reviews the true mono OFD 15 for modern grooves? And I never experienced distortion in modern mono cuts with my OFD. On the other hand, all my modern mono records are made by high quality record companies, who might be able to cut accurate mono even with stereo cutters. A reply would be nice from an audiophile label…
    - 2025-06-01 12:24:12 PM
      
      Come on wrote:
      
      I guess there are a few factors which can individually per setup or recording influence the result with a true mono cart in the better or worse direction.
      
      But in general the above theory seems correct, as tit reflects opinions from several folks with concrete professional experience awho made respective online statements like Steve Hoffman and others.
      
      I think it’s more or less not possible to cut mono with stereo cutter heads and safely or completely avoid tiny vertical movement. The question is, how and how much this negatively affects playback compared to some benefits, the true mono carts deliver in such a case. Howsoever it ends with individual setups, I personally wouldn’t want to take the risk of slightly damaging records, even in case of a small benefit.
      - 2025-06-01 06:19:53 PM
        
        bwb wrote:
        
        In my memory, that’s not true and ChatGPT also summarizes that true mono carts (independent of the stylus) are only suited for vintage records cut with a mono cutter head. just because AI pulls things from the internet does mean they are true. In my experience my Miyajimi Infinity sounds SUPERB with vintage and modern mono records no matter what ChatGPT has to say about it.
        
        2025-06-01 08:20:46 PM
        
        Come on wrote:
        
        ChatGPT says even that (that it may sound fine, depending on the extent and impact of vertical movements of cutter heads, pressings, setups etc.).
        
        But the theory and possible negative impacts one maybe doesn’t hear or interprets differently, make sense logically. And I assume you don’t exactly compare every playback on your Infinity with the alternative playback options, but once (by some examples) decided to be happy and left it like that.
        
        In case you compared a lot of modern mono pressings on the true mono vs. similar level modern mono cart, your findings would be very helpful.

2025-05-31 08:27:05 PM

tim davis wrote:

My most sincere thanks to Anders Sørensen Uth & Peter Pani for your information. Some of which confirmed my suspicions. As I only have around a dozen old school mono LPs out of thousands of records, I think I'll continue to get by the same way for now as before, stereo carts & the mono switch on my ancient Kenwood C2 preamp. Peter's approach does sound awesome but I got a lot of other areas to upgrade before going that route.

2025-06-01 09:41:21 AM

PeterPani wrote:

Sounds convincing. But why sold EMT with huge success and ongoing positive reviews the true mono OFD 15 for modern grooves? And I never experienced distortion in modern mono cuts with my OFD. On the other hand, all my modern mono records are made by high quality record companies, who might be able to cut accurate mono even with stereo cutters. A reply would be nice from an audiophile label…
- 2025-06-01 09:47:23 AM
  
  PeterPani wrote:
  
  Can somebody delete my post. I posted it twice and it should have been an answer to “Come on wrote”…
  - 2025-06-02 05:35:48 AM
    
    tim davis wrote:
    
    I went back to my original AI "The Mystic 8 Ball" & it said "My sources say no". For further eveidence that modern AIs aren't very trustworthy, I offer this gem from Google search's very flawed AI overview about this subject. "Yes, someone can delete their own posts on Tracking Angle and they can also be removed by the moderators if they violate the community guidelines. Posts can be deleted by their authors, or by Tracking Angle's moderators if they violate the terms of service, like being offensive, threatening, or commercial."
    - 2025-06-02 07:09:35 AM
      
      tim davis wrote:
      
      It is glaringly obvious to me & hopefully any participants here at Tracking Angle, that we can NOT edit or delete our own comments, despite that fact, the new-prematurely-crowned-God of the cyberspace world, AKA, AI sez we can!? WTF?! LOL! IMHO clearly, this brought-to-market-prematurely thing known as AI isn't ready yet. Just like it's predecessors cel phones, DVD/DIVX, CDs, VHS/BETA, etc. I blame greedy, ignorant-by-choice, needy, pressuring CEOs/CSFs for every one of these out-of-the-gate shoulda-been-epic fails. #wedeservebetter. PS, CSF translation; the "C" stands for clueless & the "S" & the "F" stand for the worst words you can think of that start with the letters "S" & "F".

2025-06-01 11:47:40 AM

Martin wrote:

Thanks to Tracking Angle for bringing this repress to my attention. I bought this set on day of release in 2014 in a local store and have been very pleased with this first edition. Both Rubber Soul and Sgt. Pepper were warped, but I had them replaced in the store – had to go through three copies of Sgt. Pepper before getting a good one (excellent service at Route 66 in Copenhagen). Since then I’ve aquired original UK mono pressings of all albums, and I prefer the midrange on those as compared to the reissues. The guitars on Rubber Soul (-4/-4 and in particular -5/-5), Revolver (-2/-2) and Pepper (-1/-1) are clearly superior the guitar sound on the reissues, but the originals are extremely difficult to get in true VG+/NM condition. Even in Denmark, the Danish mono originals pressed in Denmark from UK metal parts are difficult to hunt down in VG+ (both singles and LPs). Therefore, the reissues, which tend to have a well-defined low end, but sometimes an aggressive treble (White Album), are an extremely good (and also cheap) alternative for those who do not want to go through all the Discogs-VG-advertised-as-NM-trouble. With regard to mono carts, due to financial and spatial limitations, I ended up focusing on a stereo set up (Rega P10/Apheta 3) and added a preamp with a mono switch (Rega Aura) – combining the channels makes it all come together right. With my teenage son, I had the pleasure of comparing three mono pressings of Revolver a few weeks ago (1966 UK, 2014 and 2022 reissues) focusing on Taxman and Tomorrow Never Knows – UK original came out on top, but this is just our opinion and others may prefer the reissues, which are indeed extremely good.

The Beatles Fabled 2014 Mono Box Set Back in Print!

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