How to tell if lp is recorded with phase reversed?


I'm just wondering what is the best tipoff that an lp is recorded with phase reversed. I have a PS Audio GCPH, so reversing phase is easily accomplished. I have listened both ways, on some lp's it seems to sound better with phase reversed, but what are the obvious signs, or are there any? Thanks, Dan
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Showing 2 responses by dopogue

Of the recordings that are consistently in one polarity or the other (many are in mixed polarity, especially pop and rock records), it's roughly half and half "normal" and "inverted." There were lists of record labels in issues of the defunct "Fi" and "Ultimate Audio" magazines that consistently recorded in one polarity or the other; these are a good starting point if you really want to pursue the issue. Frankly, though, unless your speakers are polarity-coherent (all drivers wired with the same polarity) in the first place and have very simple crossovers, you're not likely to be able to detect polarity cues with any consistency. Sorry, but it's a real complex subject, and posts over on AA have not made it any more clear. Best advice is probably: Just trust your ears. Dave
Buffyjames, you're talking about what happens when one speaker is connected out of phase. That's not the same thing as polarity switching.