Anything as " fast" as SPECTRAL gear?

"2)I disagree with the notion of a 50/50 split, because I believe that for most recordings neither setting can be thought of as being correct."

Just to clarify that, the 50/50 split seems to be the established mainstream opinion. Personally, I can't verify it, and think of as a rule of thumb that most people seem to go by.

"02-24-15: Ptss
I also believe most natural instrument music lovers will learn to appreciate the difference very easily when they have some coaching by a knowledgeable person who is not simply interested in selling a piece of equipment."

We may not be talking about the same thing. The polarity inversion that I'm referring to is a very subtle difference. So subtle in fact, that even though I could hear something happening when I invert phase, I couldn't even decide what position sounded better. Only in the last few years, and with a very detailed system that has excellent overall timing, can I reliably hear differences. But the difference is still fairly small.

Just to add one small thing to the discussion, most good CD players and digital separates also have a phase invert switch. So if your preamp doesn't have that feature, your digital source may.

Almarg. I feel I should have stated my comments applied to Spectral Audio gear as that is what I researched, bought and continue to own and follow. Their website will clarify their designs. Regarding subtlety, I certainly acknowledge that the more refined your system the clearer the difference exhibits. If your system is not well set up you won't hear or care about polarity, just like if you were listening with ear muffs on : - )

ZD. Again, perhaps for you to easily appreciate the difference you should invite me to tune up your system.

Also. I don't dispute That the recording process isn't often flawed; but I find the majority of classical and jazz very good. The people doing the recordings are serious about doing a good job.

"02-25-15: Ptss
Also. I don't dispute That the recording process isn't often flawed; but I find the majority of classical and jazz very good. The people doing the recordings are serious about doing a good job."

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I didn't mean to imply the recording process was flawed. The way I've always understood it is that its like a coin toss. About half of the recordings are one polarity, and the other half are the opposite. But that doesn't mean that there's anything with the recording, and the "fix" would be to just hit the polarity button on your preamp or source.