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Hi,My preamp and amp are truly differentially balanced design's, with single-ended inputs/outputs along with balanced inputs/outputs.
I am currently running unbalanced RCA cables, but would like to try running balanced to see if there is an audible improvement or otherwise....but before I jump and buy some XLR cables to replace my current RCA cables, would it be at all dangerous for me to use RCA to XLR adaptors with my current cable to make the signal balanced?
Would using the balanced adaptors with an unbalanced cable really be a "balanced connection"?
I'm not sure....but without a "dedicated" ground within the unbalanced cable there would still be the positive and negative, so the signal should be passed truly balanced...although without the benefit of the seperate ground...I'm not sure what would happen??
I'm guessing that there shouldn't be any problem...any advise or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Follow Ups:
Unless you are using balanced inputs from your source components, or unless you have long, noise-prone cable runs between the preamp and amp, you will not realize a benefit using balanced versus single-ended connections. For sure you will not hear any improvement using an XLR to RCA adapter cable. I suggest you spend your money elsewhere.
thanks for your thoughts.I'm not having any noise related issues currently, just got to getting curious about running balanced lines considering that my amp and pre offer the option as they are both truly balanced designs. I had not even considered the source connection...although my DAC is also truly balanced. Its all Spectral kit.
to the RCA connector from the XLR , the other side is grounded. If you go the other way the unbalanced signal is fed to the plus side of the XLR and the negative input is grounded. The signal in and out of the RCA connectors is unbalanced. Even with the XLR connectors if you use RCA adapters and RCA cables the signal can only be unbalanced. To be balanced the signal MUST have a positive and a negative side , that is two signal wires , the positive and the negative and then the shield for a ground.
Hope this helps
Ed
Hi Ed,Thanks for the reply, that's exactly the info I was looking to learn. The possible benefit of running the signal balanced wouldn't be realized. I guess those adaptors are more aimed at hooking up gear as a last resort type situation, not as an alternative to the "real deal".
> but before I jump and buy some XLR cables to replace my current RCA cables, would it be at all dangerous for me to use RCA to XLR adaptors with my current cable to make the signal balanced?>No danger I know of.
> Would using the balanced adaptors with an unbalanced cable really be a "balanced connection"?>
Yes, as long as both ends are balanced XLR connections.
I use these for my Wadia CD player because the balanced outputs sound a little better than the single-ended ones. Balanced output to RCA amp input. No problem.
Hi mkuller,thanks for the reply.
I came across those cardas adaptors you linked to awhile back, and got to thinking that it might be cheaper to buy two sets and keep my current rca cables to explore the sonics of balanced operation. I run a single-ended 7 meter Mit 350evoShotgun i/c between my pre and amp, and it would easily wind up being a rather expensive experiment for me to find and buy another set with xlr's. however, i'm realizing that the adaptors would not provide the answer to my curiosity of what "balanced" will sound like.
thats great to hear you've had success using the adaptors. what kind of improvement's did using them bring about for you? did you ever try running the same type cable(only balanced) for a comparison to the adaptored unbalanced cable?
it seems from what I gathered via spelunkering around the web that fully balanced operation could/should provide an even blacker background, along with all the usual suspects of better this and that.
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