2. amps-preamps
  3. 147027-10803

Why do some manufacturers reverse preamp polarity in the first place?

My Rogue RP-5 reverses polarity, so I switch the pos / neg at speaker terminals. The manual does not mention this, however, I wrote the company and they the amp does reverse the polarity. 

Now my question is...why? I would say 98% of buyers of this amp do not know to reverse the cable connections. I would say most reviewers did not as well. Yes, I realize, polarity reversal is not noticable in most instances. Especially, since many recordings are all over the place when it comes to polarity (at least that is what I've read).

So the question remains...why...why not just have the amp terminals set up so the buyer can just plug in as normal?
aberyclark
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
4,908 posts
 
There is a book on the sole subject of absolute polarity, The Wood Effect by Clark Johnson.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
14,147 posts
 
It actually doesn’t matter to the average person whether the preamp is Reverse Polarity or Correct Polarity because so many recordings are in Reverse Polarity. So, what’s the difference? Since there are no technical standards for Polarity in the industry one should first establish whether his system is in Correct Polarity in the first place and go from there.
tweak1
870 posts
 
Ralph, I respectfully disagree.

Well over 2 decades ago I learned 2 things (that were only accessible at a reasonable price from PS Audio), things that should be universal if a product is to be called ’High END" 

* differentially balanced AND
* either the preamp or dac has remote Polarity control

Individual songs on discs have long been mastered in various facilities, moreso on Greatest Hits, but still. Most of the time "I" have no problem hearing when polarity is in/out. Over the years I find bass is the greatest offender. When it’s out the music lacks clarity, space is more homogeneous, loses the speed of the initial attack
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
My preamp has a polarity switch and it can be flipped with music playing no problem. No pops or clicks...
Agree reverse phase the music lacks clarity, and yes the bass is messed up a bit.    
As far as the comment that equipment with reversed polarity is 'cheap'. hah hah ha hah  etc. Try purist.. way more appropriate than cheap.
douglas_schroeder
1,824 posts
 

Very polarizing topic.

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