G
ETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR
CONRAD-JOHNSON MV52
The conrad-johnson MV52 offers an unparalleled level of sophistication
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. Before attempting to evaluate the MV52, be
sure that your phono system has been set up carefully according to
manufacturer recommendations. Adjustment of the cartridge vertical
tracking angle can be especially critical with modern stylus configura-
tions.
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). 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
MV52 Owner’s Manual
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