Preamp inverts phase question:

I agree with Almarg and Zargon. In my case, I have an American pre and a German amp. To run them in balanced mode while preserving polarity, I bought an interconnect that had the XLR pins reversed at the factory (2 to 3 and 3 to 2). That works very well, and I have not had to reverse speaker cables or otherwise fuss with the system. The cable manufacturer, by the way, was quite familiar with my problem and how to correct it, and reversed the XLR pins at no additional charge.

I concur with both Almarg and Zargon, Bernie is incorrect. Once the phase is inverted, it does not magically 'uninvert' on it's own. If the preamp inverts and the amp inverts, then you are back to absolute phase. One more option could be an inverted source. An inverted source with an inverted preamp and a non-inverting amp would also produce absolute phase.

To make it simple, think of absolute phase as a '+' and inverted phase as a '-' . 2 X '-' = '+' , 1 or 3 X '-' = '-' .
You can simply change the '-' to a '+' by switching + and - on your amp terminals, no big deal.
Of course since 50% of recordings are recorded out of absolute phase, it really shouldn't matter at all.

Cheers,
John

Maybe I should just buy an absolute polarity checker?

Benie, when the hole keeps getting deeper, it's time to stop digging.

Electrical engineer as well here.

:-) lol Jmcgrogan2 wrote "One more option could be an inverted source. An inverted source with an inverted preamp and a non-inverting amp would also produce absolute phase.

To make it simple, think of absolute phase as a '+' and inverted phase as a '-' . 2 X '-' = '+' , 1 or 3 X '-' = '-' .
You can simply change the '-' to a '+' by switching + and - on your amp terminals, no big deal."

Thank you very much for taking the time to explain it instead of just saying it. Very well put in easy to understand terms.
This explains why I am correct for my system and not for others. There must be many others that have sources that are inverted and then throw in phono pre's and DACs on top of that as well.

I could not change the speaker cables on my speakers. I run Acoustat's with the Direct Drive Tube Amps so I had to get a switch put in a preamp to be able to switch in between inverted and non inverted.

This is an area where an Electrical engineer would be more versed as there are absolutes.
Sorry to say it but I just don't hold Electrical engineer to the same standard as I once did or some so called online Electrical engineers . I just seen to many of them
saying certain things are impossible when it comes to cables and such. For me it ruins some of the credibility because I hear a difference!

Maybe I was confused when the Designer explained it to me as it may have been just to my system he was talking about.

But as to my other points as to how it affects the sonics and sound stage, I can hear it.

I believe I am I still correct in believing that a designers primary function when designing with inverted + non inverted components is the objective for the components to match, so one can achieve absolute phase.