said:


wrote in message
roups.com...
Another thing that's even easier than installing a cheater, is to
simply check the polarity of all of your plugs that can be reversed. A
lot of people don't think to do that (especially ignorant old dinosaurs
like Arny Krueger, who don't even believe polarity has any audible
effect). I use music to test for correct polarity. Certain music is
better for checking proper polarity than just anything. Often, I'll
take out my Sheffield Track Record LP (or CD) to test for polarity (or
my Chesky Test CD, which has a trumpet track for polarity testing), by
hearing how the drum is struck. It will sound right (properly struck)
when the plug is correctly inserted, and wrong (inverted) when it
isn't.


Been there done that, no effect.


A freind of mine who was a TAS/Stereophile dogmatist, thought he'd
investigate this "tweak" and yes he did use music. I happened to be at his
place when he was in the process of trying this out, so I had the
opportunity to let him hear the difference between the "proper "
polorization and the not give a crap version. So without heim knowing which
was which I wouold switch between them and he would listen. No effect that
he could determine.


There is, however, a possible technical reason for checking the
polarity of mains cables: the mains transformer has a certain capacity
from core to ground, chassis and encasing.
If you reverse the plug (here in Holland that's possible even with
earthed plugs), there may be a different current flowing from live to
case (very smallish, but still).

Because in general, in consumer electronics, grounds are connected via
the ground wire or screen of interconnects, these currents will flow
through the screens of the interconnects.
With sensitive gear, this may well result in a higher S/N ratio.
This is easily measurable, and sometimes even audible.

One reason more to use real symmetrical XLR connections and cables.

--

- Never argue with idiots, they drag you down their level and beat you with experience. -