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Converting RCA to XLR

I currently have an OPPO 205 media player that I'm using for stereo / 5.1 audio play back on an old amp. The 205 has 2 stereo XLR's and also RCA's for all of the outputs. I just bought and is in transit, a Parasound Halo A51. I would like very much to use those 2 stereo XLR balanced outs when playing stereo music, but of course I would also like to play 5.1. The issue is the remaining 205's outs aren't XLR's.

The A51 has a switch located on the back of the unit, to switch from balanced to unbalanced, I'm assuming that's kinda like switching from XLR to RCA. So could I plug all RCA's and XLR's in the A51 (that would mean doubling up the XLR and RCA on the front left and front right) and then manually throw the switch back and fourth depending on stereo vs 5.1? That doesn't seem right.I've also seen:
  • XLR converters that the RCA interconnect cable plugs into.
  • and similary cables with RCA on one end and XLR on the other.
Are these converters and or the RCA / XLR cables any good? Or should I be doing/looking for something completely different?
Thanks for your help...
divby0
golfnutz
231 posts
 
Curious, why are you asking about XLR/RCA converters (adapters)?
fiesta75
1,378 posts
 
You need an end-to-end, full XLR setup in order to realize the improvement. Adapters are for use as a necessity to match a component with only RCA's. 
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
I would not recommend using RCA-to-XLR adapters unless you absolutely had to.

The idea of using the switch on the back of the A51 to switch between RCA and XLR inputs is likely your best result.  It's really not a bad idea and you can keep all cables connected at the same time (both RCA and XLR).  Unfortunately, the switch on back of A51 is global and you cannot configure each input separately.  Otherwise, just use only the RCA outputs on the Oppo and live with that.

Another idea is to sell your A51 and then look at buying  A31 and a A21 amps.  The A21 can be setup to use XLR inputs for your left/right.  The A31 would use RCA for all remaining channels.

Or just buy an A21 right now for left/right.
golfnutz
231 posts
 
@fiesta,

" You need an end-to-end, full XLR setup in order to realize the improvement. Adapters are for use as a necessity to match a component with only RCA's."

The A51 balanced inputs are not differential, but the Oppo's balanced outputs are. So what are the improvements going to be considering the signal will be processed as single ended by the A51 anyway?  
golfnutz
231 posts
 
@auxinput,

Same thing I mentioned to fiesta about the A51 balanced input.
In this case using a XLR to RCA adapter probably isn’t going to make any difference.

I like your idea about using 2 amps, but I think there’s still an issue there.

How is the processing done in the Oppo? Is the XLR Stereo Out (left and right only ) somehow recognized and processed the same as part of the 5.1CH OUT for the other 3 channels? Or is it assumed all 5 channels + bass are coming from the 5.1CH connections. If that’s the case, wouldn’t he need another set of cables to plug/unplug (FL/FR to A21 instead of Stereo Out L+R)?

His question seems simple enough, but I think it’s more complicated.

Knowing why he wants adapters might make it easier to help answer his questions. I think his initial thought of using 7 cables, and the switch is probably the best (2 XLR, 5 RCA). However, I would confirm with Parasound first. Will the Oppo send all 7 channels to the A51 with this setup. If it does, how will that affect the A51 receiving 2 live signals for both left and right channels (hopefully, the switch takes care of that).
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