2. amps-preamps
  3. 181242-145450

Okay to use RCA adapter on a fully balanced amp?

Not a XLR is better or RCA is better question BUT if I have an amp (Digital Amplifier Co) that is fully balanced and only has XLR inputs, if you use a converter and go RCA from a Preamp, are you losing out in quality?

 

Here is something from audioholics and their review of one of their amps - 

"The MEGAschino is a true fully balanced differential amplifier from input to output. It is essentially two  amps for each channel, and one amp per phase. This means it really should be used in a fully balanced system.The manufacturer supplies an XLR to RCA adapter, but these should not be used. If a balanced connection cannot be used, note that the amp cannot be driven to full power from a 2-volt single-ended output, the limit of most receivers."

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orchardaudio's avatar
orchardaudio
126 posts
 

@atmasphere I agree in this scenario, the input impedance on my amps using an RCA to XLR adapter would be 22k.

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,784 posts
 

@orchardaudio that will be tricky for a lot of tube preamps. Our preamps can drive that no worries, but our preamps are balanced so its moot...

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,887 posts
 

OK, so I was totally wrong to doubt the amp’s description - it is indeed truly balanced, albeit with a rather low sensitivity (5 Volts is a lot to ask)! Sorry about that. An RCA-to-XLR adaptor will be a perfect solution, so long as you have enough upstream gain to get where you want in volume. 

orchardaudio's avatar
orchardaudio
126 posts
 

@mulveling please note I was specifically talking about my amps, the original post is about amps from a different company and I cannot speak to those.

runwell
279 posts
 

I test it many times. If pre with RCA output and  power amplifier with XLR input,and you use RCA to XLR cable to connect?

At least in my system, it is not ok on sound quality.

 

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