Does the balanced output of the Sony SCD-1 invert

Ghostrider45 has the definitive answer. This was corrected in the later version which by the way is denoted with an uppercase 'R' on the front panel just below the lower right corner of the display window.

No, and no.

The SCD-1 was NEVER sold in North America with Pin 3 hot. The pre-production version that Stereophile tested back in 1999 was wired with Pin 3 hot, but ALL of the production versions sold in NA were wired with Pin 2 hot.

The "R" on the front panel has nothing to do with any internal changes or upgrades. The "R" is a standard Sony symbol that indicates the location of the remote control infrared sensor. It was added to later production runs of the SCD-1 because it became ubiquitous on Sony disc players.

Agree with Eldartford, and it's an "R" not a "D" under the display - memory is the second thing to go!

Ghostrider45 has the definitive answer. This was corrected in the later version which by the way is denoted with an uppercase 'R' on the front panel just below the lower right corner of the display window.

Eldartford brings up a good point, but if the SCD-1 is your only source, it should be a non-issue.

-IMO

The early version inverts, the later one doesn't. The later one has a little symbol ("D" if I remember rightly) under the display.

Remember, the SCD-1 is not a true balanced design. The balanced signal is created at the output stage. Unless you're running long cables there's no advantage to the balanced outs - in fact the single ended outs have less circuitry in the signal path.

If it does invert, and you don't want it to do so, just reverse the (+) and (-) signal connections at the XLR output connectors. If you do it at the speakers you will invert all the other sources.