There is nothing to gain by using unbalanced cables in an otherwise balanced system, and potentially lots to lose.
XLR adaptor advice
I’m considering an offer on a set of Stealth Sakra interconnects at a very attractive price. Unfortunately they are single ended and my preamp (D’Agostino Momentum) only accepts XLR. I’m thinking about using Neutrik RCA to XLR adaptors for connection to the preamp.
i have a couple places I could put these cables in my system:
From a dCS DeBussy DAC to the preamp XLR in
From the preamp XLR out to a pair of Krell Evo 600 mono amps
Whichever position from above is left open would be filled by Stealth Indra V7, XLR.
Any advice/comment on using XLR/RCA adaptors?
I read most of the other threads already here on the subject and learned a great deal, but thought I’d narrow the question down to a specific cable/use...
thanks,
Mitch
i have a couple places I could put these cables in my system:
From a dCS DeBussy DAC to the preamp XLR in
From the preamp XLR out to a pair of Krell Evo 600 mono amps
Whichever position from above is left open would be filled by Stealth Indra V7, XLR.
Any advice/comment on using XLR/RCA adaptors?
I read most of the other threads already here on the subject and learned a great deal, but thought I’d narrow the question down to a specific cable/use...
thanks,
Mitch
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- 8 posts total
Don’t do it. Dan would be horrified. Great balanced cables can be had here for 50%+ off. You would always be questioning yourself. Just take a look at AQ Wild Blue Yonder and Wm Low Signature as an example. Being blown out in anticipation of new models coming out. The obvious point is that you can purchase AQ’s best silver cables at huge discounts. I strongly doubt that after 40 years a cable breakthrough will occur. This is just one example of many. FWIW |
From the preamp XLR out to a pair of Krell Evo 600 mono ampsTo add to the good comments the others have provided, most (but not all) XLR-to-RCA adapters short pin 3 (one of the two signal pins) to pin 1 (ground). Depending on the specific design of the component, shorting pin 3 of an XLR output to pin 1 may have the following possible results: 1) Damage to the component, eventually if not sooner. 2) No damage to the component, and reasonable sonic results. 3) No damage to the component, but severe buzzing or other sonic anomalies. See this thread for example. Also, with some designs whose output signals on pins 2 and 3 are floating relative to ground, hum and/or improper operation may result if pin 3 is NOT grounded. As others have said, don’t do it. Certainly when it comes to XLR outputs, unless a very specific ok is obtained from the designer/manufacturer and you know whether or not the adapter grounds pin 3. Regards, -- Al |
Thanks all for reaffirming my intuition...I have mainly Stealth cables in my system and was a bit tempted to get these to maintain that consistency, but not at the expense of SQ... there are some XLR Sakras available here, at substantially more than the deal I was offered on the RCAs, and I’ll take a run at those. cheers, Mitch |
- 8 posts total