2. amps-preamps
  3. 151613-2029

Correct Way to Invert Phase

Hi,

My Conrad Johnson preamp is phase inverting.

The CJ manual says to change the phase "...by reversing the positive and negative connections to your speakers (be sure to reverse both channels)..."

Can anyone explain why changing the positive and negative connections between the amp and preamp would not accomplish the same thing?

Just wondering if this could harm the components or is some other science at work here that I do not understand?

Thanks for listening,

Dsper
dsper
mwatsme's avatar
mwatsme
183 posts
 
Sounds a little obsessive-compulsive, but it would bother me too - probably enough to make a change.
merosen
45 posts
 
Play Hendrix and try to fix the phase inversion.
That will make you crazy. Intentional phase inversion was one of his tools for mixing a recording.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Some recordings sound better one way. Some sound better the other. If you notice a big enough difference then you could try switching for every recording and write down which way sounds best, then switch every recording. Or plan your listening by grouping tracks that sound best in phase and playing them back to back. But I found this to be too hard. So what I do now, split the difference. Wire one speaker each way.

Incoming.....!
erik_squires
15,690 posts
 
You can only "reverse" the pins with XLR or balanced connectors. Otherwise, you are just grounding the signal. :)

Do yourself a favor and do it at the speaker.
davekayc
173 posts
 
What are some examples of songs with reversed phase . Would be interesting to see the differences. 
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