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Ayre Codex and Output Transformer

I have an Ayre Codex connected to my amp via RCA.  I think everyone (even Ayre) agrees that using the XLR outputs from the DAC would be the best sound.  However, I only have RCA connections....  I read in an old (2016) thread a suggestion of using a Jensen Output Transformer.  

What would I do?  Go from XLR outs on the Codex to the transformer and then from there RCA to my amp?  And would that really preserve the better sound that comes from the balanced XLR outs?  

Any information about this would be appreciated!


soundchasr
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soundchasr OP
159 posts
 
Thanks for all the responses.  Sorry I didn't reply - not getting notifications for some reason.  

This is what I received back from Ayre:

"Just use RCA in this case until you’re able to upgrade your amp to balanced. The Ayre sends everything truly balanced, but a lot of even so-called “balanced” amps take the signal and just convert it to single-ended internally to save on parts. It’s not the right way to do it and eliminates pretty much all of the advantages of having a balanced system in place. Adding any converters really just puts something else in the signal path and you’ll lose more than you could potentially gain."


jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
The Ayre sends everything truly balanced, but a lot of even so-called “balanced” amps take the signal and just convert it to single-ended internally to save on parts. It’s not the right way to do it and eliminates pretty much all of the advantages of having a balanced system in place.


this is a very appropriate and fair warning - newbies see a set of balanced jacks on a piece of gear and assume they have real balanced circuitry (for what that is worth) -- NOT true in many cases...
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