XLR-RCA adapter

If you are adapting an XLR output to an RCA input I would avoid most adapters, as most of them short the signal on pin 3 to ground (pin 1).  The circuits which drive the XLR outputs of some components will not be happy with that, either immediately or with respect to long-term reliability.  See this thread, for example.

My understanding is that on special order Cardas can supply adapters which leave pin 3 unconnected.  Or you could have a cable supplier custom make an adapter cable which leaves pin 3 unconnected.

If you are adapting an RCA output to an XLR input that would not be an issue (pin 3 **should** be grounded in that situation, assuming the equipment is designed with the usual pin assignments used in the USA and many other countries).  In that case I suspect that if the Cardas adapters have any advantage compared to an inexpensive adapter such as this one it would be due to the gold-plated contact surfaces some of the Cardas adapters appear to provide.

Regards,
-- Al
 

BTW, if by any chance you would be adapting to the inputs of an Audio Research balanced power amp that provides only XLR inputs, be aware that many of those amps are a bit unusual in that they will not work properly if the XLR inputs are provided with single-ended signals, which is what an adapter or adapter cable will do.

Regards,
-- Al

Cardas is the best none is better!!

Al

I'm not sure I understood your answer so I will try to be more specific.
I have a rather (4m) long run XLR IC between my pre and the amp.
The manufacturer (Audionet) recommends using the RCA path over the XLR  so i'm trying to "convert" my XLR cable on both sides to RCA and if it indeed works better I might buy a RCA IC. I don't want to invest in a 4m cable before I try with adapters.

OK; thanks for the clarification.  So you would not be adapting between the RCA output of a component and the XLR input of another component, or vice versa.  You just want to adapt both ends of an XLR cable so that the cable can mate with the RCA connectors on both components.

Since you would be doing this just for experimental purposes, before possibly investing in a pair of long RCA cables, IMO there is no reason to go with the expensive Cardas adapters.  Their main benefit in comparison with a Neutrik or other inexpensive but reasonably well made adapter, as I alluded to earlier, would IMO be the gold plating the Cardas adapters (or at least some of them) appear to provide on their contact surfaces.  And the main benefit of that would be resistance to oxidation and corrosion over time, which is not a factor for your purposes.

IMO.  Regards,
-- Al