Phase Inversion in Preamplifer?

Newbee - At least in my experience, the Joule LA-100 MkIII and Cary SLP-98 use cathode (in the Joule's case it is a Mu) followers and both inverted phase.

The problem with this whole discussion is Polarity and Phase Inversion can either mean the same thing or something completely different, depending on who's talking and what component they are talking about.

The line and phono stages of the Audible Illusions Modulus
series are both phase inverting, but since the phono stage
output is always routed through the line stage (unless you
are using the phono stage only through the tape output) the
net result is that your sources input directly to the line
stage will be inverted in polarity while the phono stage
input will be in proper absolute phase. Whether you will be
able to hear the difference is debatable, but the easiest
way to achieve correct phase for all sources is as follows.
Reverse the polarity of both speaker cables at either the
amp end or the speaker end (not at both). Then also change
the polarity of the connections to each channel of your
phono cartridge. This will resolve your absolute phase for
both line level sources as well as your phono playback.

Preamps by Conrad Johnson all invert phase. I could not tell any difference by changing the polarity to my speakers. It is also interesting to know that many recordings are recorded phase inverted. Since your preamp inverts phase some of these recordings should turn out just right if you can hear any difference at all.

Sugarbie - you're correct about phase inversion and polarity. In my case, while it is called a polarity switch on my phonostage, the manufacturer suggests it is used to invert phase.