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Reversed Polarity LP Cuts - Examples?

I recently bought a custom made phono stage equipped with a three-position polarity switch on the front panel with the positions "+", "mute", "-" and, so far, have not had occassion to use the "-" function. I found an old UK pressing of the Stones "Sticky Fingers" at a garage sale Saturday and, after a thorough cleaning, found that a few tracks sounded a bit "flat", for lack of a better term. Recalled the polarity switch and snapped it to "-". Huge improvement.

I have heard vague mention of LP's or tracks of LP's being recorded "in reverse" before but am wondering how commonly this is found. Can anyone give specific examples of what they've discovered (not including intentional phase shifting done for particular efffect, such as used by the Beatles and others). Thanks.
4yanx

Showing 5 responses by cmk

cmk
397 posts
 
Not sure about that. I do know that about half of LPs pressed at the time, maybe still, are reversed phase. Most of the time, it doesn't matter to the sound, but on certain LPs, you will notice weaker bass. Reversing polarity, either at the cart or the spk terminals, should solve the problem. I haven't experimented with this, but my phono reverses polarity anyhow and I haven't had any problems.

If you do try, let us know.
cmk
397 posts
 
Dave Grusin - Discovered Again on Sheffield Lab.
There's a note in the centre of the folder that's marked to Audiophiles to reverse polarity for best results.
cmk
397 posts
 
Zaikesman, I dunno about you, but not everyone can hear the difference when the phase of a recording is reversed, at least I couldn't. There was a test CD on Chesky, can't remember which one, that had David Chesky doing some recording in and out of phase. Frankly, I hardly heard a difference. Of course YMMV.
cmk
397 posts
 
Zaikesman, yes, one shd always get the polarity right. I too have a polarity button on my DAC, but never used it, except by accident. Which DAC do you use?
cmk
397 posts
 
Last nite had a listen to a couple of LPs and this time, I took the extra step of reversing polarity using the spk terminals. I have to say that reversing polarity with LPs IS audible. If its out of phase, the music appears to be disoriented, veiled, or somewhat odd.

I might try it out with some CDs later to see what happens.
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