Inverted phase preamps?

I have a Cary SLP-98L and the manual specifically states to make the switch at the amp end. As for hearing a difference quality wise I don't know about that. I do know that on the live recordings I have made and play on my system that when the phase was not inverted the sound was off balance which makes sense.

OK, at first I was going to say, "good grief, what difference does it make which end of the speaker wire you reverse." Then I thought about all of the cable break-in freaks (no offense intended) and I thought, well, if you are concerned about cable break-in and believe that speaker cables are directional, I would guess that it would be preferrable to switch the speaker cables at the speaker end. That way the electron flow is consistent through the speaker wire, flowing the same direction as it had prior to the reversal. The only difference at this point would be the direction of travel for the driver.

I'm no expert, no cable break-in freak, physicist, etc., but it kinda makes sense to me to reverse the cables at the speaker end.

Enjoy,

TIC

Blue Circle BC21.1 inverts and Gilbert said to reverse the cables at either end since this accomplishes the same thing.

The Wood Effect by Clark Johnsen may illuminate this discussion/query. Clark writes w/ uncanny skill for Positive Feedback. May the audio nervosa continue unabated!

Elizabeth wrote:

Since 50% of all recordings are phase-inverted, and from one to the next you can't tell except by playing, I would say it does not really matter!!!!!

So just mark on the record sleeve or CD case whether the recording is in phase or out of phase. It does matter! And I don't buy the idea of reversing speaker cables, as not only does it cause undue wear and tear on the connectors, it is too easy to short something out. The only sensible, convenient solution is a phase switch on the preamp or source component.