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Phase Inversion, to flip polarity or not

I put a system up in another room using an older Bruce Moore Companion 2c Preamp with upgrades and a PS Audio HCA-2 amp with full blown Reference Audio Mods. The Bruce Moore just like the Audible Illusion recommends invert phase. I tried both ways and like both ways for different reasons. Without inverting phase it sounds fuller, drums sound bigger, horns have a little more meat on the bone.  With invert phase there more detail, drum a little tighter but still has slam, maybe little more information, the PS Audio does help as it's pretty good at information retrieval. Anyone's insight or explanation to what I'm hearing please let me know. When dealing with a preamp recommending inverting phase which route do you go, just haven't decided which one is best, there both good.

paulcreed
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
It all depends. If the system is in Correct Polarity (phase) and the recording is in Reverse Polarity the sound will be in Reverse Polarity. There are no Standards for Polarity or requirements that CDs or LPs must conform to some standard for Polarity. Plus, the system can be in Reverse Polarity for reasons other than an inverting preamp, e.g., a pair of cables connected incorrectly. Gasp! Or one channel can be in Correct Polarity and the other Reverse Polarity. There is the additional issue that one speaker can sometimes be wired incorrectly. Also, some tracks on the same recording can sometimes be in opposite Polarity. One way to find out whether your system is in Correct Polarity is use the out of phase track on a TEST CD like the XLO Test CD or TEST LP. Channelization should also be checked. As Bob Dylan says at the end of all his songs, good luck to you.
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paulcreed OP
565 posts
 
Now I am even more confused, drums in one phase guitar in another. I'm going to get out of this hobby and go into butterfly collecting. I do have a phase switch on remote on phono stage so that helps. What are most people hearing when polarity is switched. I can only pick one and leave it and deal with it I'm not going to flip cables for the song this hobby is crazy enough. What phase do most people pick.

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tomcarr
1,538 posts
 
Unfortunately the elephant in the room is the fact that there is no absolute standard for polarity through the recording/mixing/mastering chain. Some albums are released in "correct" polarity, many are not. But like Elizabeth says it really doesn't matter if it doesn't bother you. If it does, flip your invert polarity switch on your preamp or swap speaker cable ends (on one end only). I can tell a difference so that's what I do.
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