How do you deal with absolute polarity?

Perhaps that explains why some cd's sound better than other. (besides poor mixing). I no longer have the ability on my current equipment to change polarity shy of inverting the speaker cables. But when I did have equipment with a switch I did notice differences between phase settings. 
For critical listening I could see where you would want to select the best settings. And it's nice that you have that ability.
I have a playlist that I use for critical listening/testing that I know is good. So for most of the rest of the time I just listen as it is.
My system is based on a Mac Mini as a server. Perhaps JRiver has a phase reversal setting but I have not found it yet.
However it is nice to optimize when possible.
Keep up the good work and enjoy.

Both my CDP and phono stage have phase reversal switches.  I've marked the discs/cuts, on which the Wood Effect is obvious and play them accordingly.

Check absolute phase by disconnecting a speaker and applying current from the positive pole of a 1.5V D-cell battery to the positive speaker terminal. This should cause the speaker cone to extent outward.

Assuming that the channels in an amp that powers the speakers in a multi channel system are in phase and correctly marked this will cause all the speaker cones in the system to move outward when a positive signal from the amplifier is applied to them - and that's absolute phase.

The out of phase track on the XLO Test CD will provide proof that the system is either in correct absolute polarity or reverse polarity. When the system is in correct absolute polarity discs that are OOP will sound more diffuse (less focused) and lack bass response, relatively speaking. According to the Polarity Pundant about 90% of audiophile discs are in reverse polarity. 

Here's the whole story,

http://www.absolutepolarity.com

I have a phase switch on my Spectral preamp and am always grateful for it. Without it,for example, I wouldn't even be able to tell some Harpsicord (not a favorite instrument) notes from those of a plucked violin. I listen to classical primarily and have always striven for clarity and nuance to best appreciate the gifts of the piece and the players. I find the phase reversal switch essential to full enjoyment,even for classical FM listening.

Upon setup, I was very attentive to absolute phase....I never change the leads ....too much trouble.

If your system is determined to be in correct absolute polarity and you don't have a polarity switch, one strategy is to reverse the leads at the speakers so that the system is now in reverse absolute polarity.  Since at least 50% of CDs are in reverse polarity, most notably the audiophile CDs, and perhaps as many as 90% are in reverse polarity, then you will be listening to the majority of your CDs in correct polarity.

I am particularly sensitive to the polarity and have a system which is very revealing but it has not been my experience that 'up to 90% of CD's are in reverse phase; although this figure has been quoted by others as well. My observations indicate a much more random distribution;which given the step of the recording and duplication chain,is mathematically more probable. Just mho.

The number is actually 92%, the number stated by George Louis, polarity pundit, whose web site contains a great many audiophile CDs and their polarities. His results are drawn from listening tests. Now, I am not vouching for either his hearing, his results or his numbers but I have to say he certainly makes a very good case. You would have to read his complete explanation for how he arrives at the magic number of 92%. Since there is no Standard for absolute polarity one imagines anything is possible. I have heard estimates for percent of CDs being in reverse polarity ranging from 10% to 50% to 92%.

http://www.absolutepolarity.com

Among many interesting and surprising things in George Louis’ web site regarding absolute polarity

http://www.absolutepolarity.com

are some letters he received from certain audiophile electronics manufacturers in answer to questions regarding their products and absolute polarity. Here’s one such response (name of manufacturer withheld):

Dear George:

"From my research and development department, they advise. It is a source so as long as both left and right are inverted, then there isn’t an issue. We did this to get better S/N ration performance. Inverting amps are always quieter than non-inverting designs.
Audibly, you can’t tell one from the other, you can only see it on a scope. That is the only way to know one from the other. So why they even check for this, I have no idea because it doesn’t mean anything. The signal is AC which means it swings both positive and negative."