G
ETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR
CONRAD-JOHNSON MV125
The conrad-johnson MV125 offers an unparalleled level of sophistica-
tion and refinement in music reproduction, but it cannot transform an
inferior stereo system. Only the very best loudspeaker systems will be
capable of fully revealing the capabilities of this precision instrument.
Proper set-up is important in any high-fidelity system, but with state-of-
the-art components it is essential. Given a system of high quality
components, there remain a number of important details which must be
attended to.
ABSOLUTE PHASE
Musical notes are heard through the ear’s response to waves of alter-
nating rise and fall of air pressure. Musical transients are exclusively
positive: that is, the initial effect is a rise in pressure. The ear is capable
of distinguishing these positive transients from the musically unnatural
alternative of a negative transient (an initial fall in air pressure). In your
stereo system, these transients are created by your loudspeakers. If the
speakers respond to musical transients by first moving out, they are
creating a rise in pressure, and the system is said to be "phase correct".
If they respond by moving in, they create a fall in pressure and the
system is said to be "phase inverting". Each component in the stereo
system is either phase correct or phase inverting (including the cartridge
and speakers-these are normally phase correct). Your MV125 is phase
correct. It is of no consequence if an individual component is phase
inverting, as long as the system as a whole is phase correct. This will be
the case as long as the number of phase inversions is even (or zero). If
your system has an odd number of inversions, then you must add one
phase inversion. This is conveniently done by reversing the positive and
negative connections on either your cartridge or your speakers (be sure
to reverse both channels).
If you are not sure about the phase of every component in your system,
you can establish correct absolute phase by careful listening. When the
system is in correct phase, transients will be noticeably cleaner and
more sharply defined. The effect is especially apparent on plucked
string sounds. A final warning-not all recordings are phase correct
MV125 Owner’s Manual
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