Speaker Phase/Polarity Issue

[Binx]

I have learned a lot on this forum but now have an issue that I don't understand - probably due to being a newbie. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

I have a polarity/phase issue with my speakers. I installed new Kimber cables yesterday and had one problem morph into another one.

My setup is: Meadowlark bi-wired Heron i speakers, Kimber internal bi-wire 8TC cables, Bel Canto S300, Berkeley DAC 2, Berkeley USB, and either a PC running JRiver or an older Arcam DAC running in transport mode.

Prior to installing the new cables I solved a polarity issue by reversing the + and - cables at one speaker. Connecting the new cables in the same way as the old, the polarity/phase problem was back (nothing in the center of the soundstage). I changed the cables on the one speaker back to the non-reversed position. Problem solved or so I thought. Using both the pc and the transport the problem comes back, occurring within a .3dB volume range (according to the Berkeley DAC display) in only two places. The remainder of the volume settings sound fine (much better with the new cables).

 

What's going on? Can this be damaging to any of my components?

[wwaldmanfan]

I have learned a lot on this forum but now have an issue that I don't understand - probably due to being a newbie. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

I have a polarity/phase issue with my speakers. I installed new Kimber cables yesterday and had one problem morph into another one.

My setup is: Meadowlark bi-wired Heron i speakers, Kimber internal bi-wire 8TC cables, Bel Canto S300, Berkeley DAC 2, Berkeley USB, and either a PC running JRiver or an older Arcam DAC running in transport mode.

Prior to installing the new cables I solved a polarity issue by reversing the + and - cables at one speaker. Connecting the new cables in the same way as the old, the polarity/phase problem was back (nothing in the center of the soundstage). I changed the cables on the one speaker back to the non-reversed position. Problem solved or so I thought. Using both the pc and the transport the problem comes back, occurring within a .3dB volume range (according to the Berkeley DAC display) in only two places. The remainder of the volume settings sound fine (much better with the new cables).

 

What's going on? Can this be damaging to any of my components?

 

This is a weird one. On this site, you can download all sorts of test tones to help diagnose whether it is your equipment or your head that's playing tricks on you:

 

Free Online Audio Tests, Test Tones and Tone Generators

[Lauri Cular]

I'm scratching my head too - is there any chance of a software option being selected somewhere? Phase is sometimes denoted by a 'O' with a line through it - Ø on mixing desks/control panels. Also is the issue the same whether listening from PC or the older DAC you mention?

[Binx]

I'm scratching my head too - is there any chance of a software option being selected somewhere? Phase is sometimes denoted by a 'O' with a line through it - Ø on mixing desks/control panels. Also is the issue the same whether listening from PC or the older DAC you mention?

 

Yes the issue is the same. I am using the DAC in transport mode to feed the Berkeley. Thanks.

[mmunidepend]

you are right,I am using the DAC in transport mode to feed the Berkeley. Thanks.