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It is certainly possible to have an audio component or entire system operating in "correct" or "natural" polarity

Garth,

I would call a component that does not invert polarity to be operating in "correct" or "natural" polarity. I sense you may be objecting to the term "natural" when applied to electronic reproduction and that is why I still am considering which of those two terms is better. However, it is certain that there is audio hardware that reproduces sound in the same polarity as natural sounds. I tend to like the term "natural" as "correct " is not as specific a reference point- although in my view "Correct" is still more accurate, descriptive, and correct terminology than "absolute". And I think a positve term like correct and/or natural rather than a negation term like "Non-inverting" is clearer. I like "possible" more than "non-impossible".

Of course, the source CD or LP could be "inverted" or "mixed" and in the signal chain there could be more than one inversion which would make the system "alternating".

But, certainly, an audio component and even a chain of components can operate without inverting anywhere- opertate with correct or natural polarity and I have such an audio system that I know is entirely in correct polarity- a wind up 78 player playing mechanically recorded mono 78's. Those that worry that the cutting lathe could be running inverted need not worry, and due to the purely mechanical reproduction and impossibility of multi-tracking then this is a sure thing- not inverted, not mixed, and not alternating.

And to be sure of an electronic signal chain can be all in correct polarity, I've been testing mono signals that I've recorded digitally and non-acoustically and the resulting HD recording and the CD-Rs are both correct. And, amazingly, my office audio system- under strict conditions of playing these dedicated CD-R's I know are correct. At least the mid -range driver of the left speaker is producing a sound that is in correct or natural polarity. Whether the system overall in both channels all drivers, or for other sources, will prove correct, mixed, or alternating is still oepn. I will need to produce and test sounds that test as inverted to know for certain if my testing method is completely reliable. I do know that mixed polarity of stereo sounds is much more difficult to pin down regaring polarity as the mixing in of inverted sounds is far more subtle than my digital, mono signals.

Gosh, I never intended to jump into this dizzyingly complex subject so deeply. Perhaps I should stop before I break down and declare myself a demi-god like Caligula or become a living trademark like our friend George !

Cheers,

Bambi B

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