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My tonearm must be wired out of phase

I have always had a slight channel imbalance with 2 cartridges and 2 phono stages.  The right channel always played slightly louder than the left and the sound stage leaned that way also, more center and right with the left stage almost nonexistent.  The meters on my monoblock amps also indicated less output on the left channel.

After switching the cartridge leads everything snapped into focus.  Full soundstage, 3 dimensional, amp meters equal and test record pink noise indicates equal balance as well.  My tonearm is a Basis Vector 4 with a captive cable.  Somewhere in the chain the wires must be crossed...that’s all I can come up with.  Anyone had this experience?  
pops
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,864 posts
 
@mijostyn,

"Hearing a difference" when inverting phase may be different that being able to "experience a difference, in terms of enjoying the music". There is a difference. One might not be able to explain it properly?
jperry
2,454 posts
 
"Thought about that testpilot, but wouldn't a loose pin mean signal or no signal"  

I might result in a lower signal level. I have had that happen with a loose connection on speaker cables.

Best Regards,

Jim Perry
pops OP
2,275 posts
 
Thanks chakster there is one sitting in my album rack!   I even used it for channel balance test tones never thought to test polarity.  At any rate it will be an interesting test. 
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Perhaps the wires are not consistent directionality-wise. Also, Polarity errors can exist anywhere in the system. Check all connections. XLO Test CD has a Polarity Test track (out of phase track).
pops OP
2,275 posts
 
The tonearm is wired in correct polarity using the hifi test record.  The puzzling piece for me is when the connections at either the pins or the phono pre are reversed, the balance is spot on between the channels according to my mono block meters and my ears.

It appears to be my phono pre, switching tubes does not change the imbalance, the right is still louder than the left.  Also, I retubed it with fresh tubes.  I just had it in with a tech and he adjusted the power supply to the designers specs but otherwise measured in perfect working order.  I thought it was solved.

Conclusion, chase the dragon and go a witch-hunt or listen with the leads reversed which reverses the channels but sounds terrific.  Or listen to my backup phono pre which sonically is inferior.
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