Actually I use Koussevitzky 1949 version of Tchaikovsky’s IV (first movement) to assess my mono analog. There is not doubts in my mind that any more or less serious records enthuses much have a dedicated mono cartridge, preferably permanently installed. I use Ortofone SPU MONO into 64dB 7788-7721 phonostage. So, how do I set the cartridge and make sure that the entire mono chains sound correct? I listen Koussevitzky leading the Boston Symphony performing the First movement of the Tchaikovsky Forth.
I am not a big fun of the other movements (there are better) but the first movement is something totally out of this world. I do not think Boston Symphony before or after played such phenomenally. There is so much going on there: tonality, articulation, phraseology, phonetics, syntax.. at all levels of sonic perception:
http://www.goodsoundclub.com/TreeItem.aspx?postID=50#50
that 30 seconds of listening of the Koussevitzky Tchaikovsky IV give an instant objective depicture of the state of my mono analog chain
Rgs,
Romy the Cat
"I wish I could score everything for horns." - Richard Wagner. "Our writing equipment takes part in the forming of our thoughts." - Friedrich Nietzsche