Are the XLR outputs of OPPO BDP-105 true balanced?

A P.S. to my previous post, just to add to the confusion :-)

In addition to the possible interpretations I described previously, the expression "true balanced output" can also be used to distinguish between the situation Elizabeth described, where an op amp is simply used to create an inverted output signal (which is sometimes referred to as a "pseudo-balanced" output, although that term also has multiple possible meanings), and the situation where a "cross-coupled" electronic circuit (which may also be op amp-based) is used to mimic a transformer-coupled output. That form of electronically generated output is sometimes referred to as a "true balanced output," even if the internal signal path of the component is single-ended.

See this paper for a discussion of cross-coupled electronically balanced outputs. Figure 2 on the second page has a representative schematic.

Regards,
-- Al

Very interesting, thank you Al. My Rowland 102 has THAT Corp. input instrumentation amp THAT1200.

Unless there are signal transformers in there, it is not truly balanced. It is a Solid State emulation of balanced. The only way to get truly balanced is to use transformers.

There is one aspect of balanced tht cannot be achieved with SS, and that is the plus and minus signals must be exactly the same amplitude at all levels. Also , no DC offset is allowed. Neither of these is practicallypossible with SS.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio