Inverted phase question, with a twist

GlennDog

My Cary preamp inverts the phase signal at the output

I am also using tube mono blocks, the good 1KVA dreadnought and SRS 2.3 TL's

Is this statement true, regardless of equipment used:
"It is not a good idea to reverse the polarity of speaker wires when using SDA speakers this would connect a common ground short to the positive terminals of your amplifier. In the case of a twin blade SDA this would short the amplifier, in the case of a pin blade speaker there wouldn't be any "SDA" information."

The reason I ask is because the SQ/soundstage isn't quite right. Thoughts?

westmassguy

Not an expert, but I believe your mixing phase with polarity. Phase in a music signal can be inverted, but that doesn't change the polarity of the amplifiers output.

On second thought, since you're using a Dreadnaught, there is no direct connection between the speakers, so reversing the polarity at both Amplifiers Outputs or the at both speakers binding posts should not cause any damage. What affect that will have on the difference signal and crosstalk cancellation is unknown.

GlennDog

TY wMass,
I'm no expert either, but I think the 2 terms are one-in-the-same. But to be clear, the Cary owners manual refers to "phase" and states the connections at the speker need to be reversed from the conventional connection method.

SCompRacer

True, a pre amp with inverted phase output is corrected by reversing speaker cables. Unsure what the effects would be reversing speaker cables with SDA/Dreadnought.

I've had pre amps that inverted phase, a ModWright SWLP 9.0 for example. With my active crossover ESL's it didn't seem to matter much inverting phase, but with conventional speaker crossovers it did. (It costs more to add circuitry/tubes to correct the phase output, may affect original design circuit SQ, etc). Other active circuits (like CD player) can also reverse phase so sometimes you have to experiment with correct or reverse phase at speakers and keep what sounds better. But only if safe to do so in your SDA/Dreadnought situation.

drumminman

I have an Odyssey Candela that reverses phase. I've run the speaker wires with the polarity as marked (+ to +) and reversed from the amp into my 2.3TL's with a Dreadnought. It won't hurt anything. Connect it the way it sounds best.

vmaxer

drumminman wrote: »

I have an Odyssey Candela that reverses phase. I've run the speaker wires with the polarity as marked (+ to +) and reversed from the amp into my 2.3TL's with a Dreadnought. It won't hurt anything. Connect it the way it sounds best.

So the Odossey reverses phase?? I have one and had no idea..

GlennDog

drumminman wrote: »

I have an Odyssey Candela that reverses phase. I've run the speaker wires with the polarity as marked (+ to +) and reversed from the amp into my 2.3TL's with a Dreadnought. It won't hurt anything. Connect it the way it sounds best.

Good to hear from you!!

To be clear, you are saying that it's ok to connect the Pos speaker to the Neg Dreadnaught binding post??

westmassguy

GlennDog wrote: »

drumminman wrote: »

I have an Odyssey Candela that reverses phase. I've run the speaker wires with the polarity as marked (+ to +) and reversed from the amp into my 2.3TL's with a Dreadnought. It won't hurt anything. Connect it the way it sounds best.

Good to hear from you!!

To be clear, you are saying that it's ok to connect the Pos speaker to the Neg Dreadnaught binding post??

Leave the Dreadnaught alone. You're swapping the + & - at the amp or the speaker terminals