XLR Female to RCA Plug Adapter

I have been considering these.

Maybe @atmasphere can advise?

I would get a Jensen Transformer to do the conversion. 

Bob

Here is a great thread, Almarg gives the proper answer.

I use (2) Neutrik XLR female to male RCA connectors for my preamp to amp cables.  

I use the XLR output and cables then use the adaptor before the input to my power amp.  

Check with the manufacturer of the XLR output device to make sure it's OK.  

It is an easy thing to do. It won’t be a balanced connection. The RCA does not support the return wire (pin 3 of xlr). It must be left lifted at the RCA end.

I have jensen transformers on one of my amps. they are fully balanced.  the box in the link above appears to be an adapter box that can be just as easily done with a cable.  Maybe they do something else inside that box but I can't tell by looking at it.

I built a pair of RCA to XLR connectors to run my HT bypass from the RCA out of my HT preamp to the XLR inlet of my amp.

Jerry

I would get a Jensen Transformer to do the conversion. 

That does look like it also lowers the voltage.
(the Nuetrik is a 200:200 transformer.)

So it should be lower noise as the RCA is attenuated, and the XLR can be driven harder.

So $300 versus 2x $55… But both the Jensen and the Neutrik look like a better technical option than the connectors which have no transformer. (Including the cheaper Neutrik connector.)

Thanks for all the good info guys.  Think it’s best I talk to the manufacturer of my pre to see what they recommend just to avoid potential issues.  The other thing I was wondering is if I’d still retain the benefits of using the XLR out from my DAC if I use an adapter or would that basically be the same as just running an RCA cable?

I use Cardas clear adapters for exactly the same application. They sell 2 types, the more expensive ones are the same connectors they use on their high end cables. No change in sound. I use 2 sets. 

@steakster My DAC is a Musician Pegasus R2R and it is fully balanced, so from what you’re saying I could use a simple adapter plug with no transformer.  I guess if I lose all the benefit of the DAC’s XLR out it makes more sense to just use an RCA interconnect and not add the additional connector into the signal path.  Does that sound right?

If it was a long way from the DAC to the pre, then XLR and a transform would be best.

But if it has RCAs, then just chuck those on. If there are no hums, then lower nothing by 10dB is still nothing.

I bought a pair of new cables to avoid putting another adapter/connection in-line.

XLR to Locking RCA conectors,

If you have a nice cable, and you or a friend knows how, you can change one end to XLR, this or another brand, skipping the adapter joint

I did NOT hear any difference. I do like that XLR are positive lock connectors, so messing about will not disturb those connections. I changed my other interconnects to locking rcas

Running a truly balanced output is only beneficial if the receiving component has a truly balanced input circuit.

@soix ^^ This.

Don't bother with the XLR output since your preamp can't take advantage of it. The RCA connection will work just fine. The adapter will simple convert the balanced output to single ended and if pin 1 is shorted to pin3, you could possibly damage the DAC (so usually this connection isn't made with many adapters). If it works that way you're only listening to single-ended anyway. So just use the RCA connection.

@atmasphere 

+1

Got it.  That’s kinda what I figured but just wanted to know for sure.  Thanks guys. 

audio classics bulletin this am

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#inbox/FMfcgzGpGKbgMmzSzSMDMLlQZCfPnlzm