Invert ?
I’ve owned the Audio Research Ref 6 SE for about a year or so. One thing I don’t understand is the Invert switch. What is this used for exactly. The manual doesn’t not go into detail at all. Actually I’ve always been afraid to use it thinking I may damage something. Thanks in advance
@larryi +2 Thanks! Mike See article below: Mike https://www.justmastering.com/article-phase-and-polarity.php
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Years ago I had a preamp with a phase inverter button on the remote. It didn't take but a few pushes now and then to realize I couldn't hear any difference one way or the other. I believe I read somewhere that there is a listing of songs, albums, whatever, that lists those that were recorded ending up with the phase inverted. I also believe that I read somewhere that even different songs on a single CD, LP, can end up with some correct and others with inverted phase. |
I've got Herron Audio line stage preamp and phono preamp. He's got polarity rocker switches on the backs of both; he recommends trying them each way but says a lot of people can't hear any difference, and I could not. He's also got an 'Invert' on the remote and on the line stage preamp, and that does have the effect of switching the wires on the back of one speaker, and makes a huge difference. When in phase, there's a well-defined center image - when out of phase, there is not and the bass (and most everything else) is weaker. |
Chesky has a test CD with sample jazz tracks from their catalogue. One of the teat track offers two pieces of music where a track is played in normal polarity and then in inverted polarity. With such side-by-side tracks you can see for yourself if polarity matters. Speaker design plays a big role in whether polarity is heard. Designs that attempt to preserve phase relationship and timing of arrivals of sound from each driver will make polarity more obvious. If you cannot hear polarity change because your speakers muck up phase/timing relationships, fear not, many very good speakers are not good at this test. |
