Anybody use a single ended component with one that is balanced?


I currently have a single ended pass xa25 amp which is excellent but am looking to upgrade to an arc balanced pre. I was told arc works best balanced but I will have to use the rcas.

Anybody been in a situation like this? Will I really be compromising the sound of the arc using it in single ended mode? I know there are people who prefer single ended.

 

roxy1927

Yes the pre has them. So it would be rcas from the amp, which is all it has, to the rcas on the pre, which has both rcas and balanced.

 

I could also use the neutrix adapters which avanti above suggested. 'At the amp I use a neutrik female XLR to male RCA cable adapter.'

Oh OK. Yes, just use the RCA (aka "single-ended") connection from the pre-out to the amp in. Don’t use the XLR outputs on the preamp until you have an amp with XLR inputs. You won’t get optimal sound by just using the jack adapters - or at least that is a possible risk.

 

BTW: I like the XLR adapters because they always connect ground first, so they can be swapped live.  I built a patch bay to switch between preamps and amps with neutrik jacks. Better than a HT bypass! 

@jji666

 

+1 Don’t add an adapter. If the amp is balanced it a;ready has one and is likely to be of higher quality. The manufacturer has a vested interest in making both inputs sound good.

Many people think XLR is better port. Do you think of Conrad Johnson pre and amp? They always use RCA port and so many people love this brand.

I might enter this brand some day if it works well with audio research power amplifier.

WORTH A TRY.

Sounds NOTICEABLY better between my Cary preamp and Pass amp.  I have compared the two options extensively and everything (sound stage, dynamics, transparency) sounds better.  

Return them if it doesn't work out.