Changing Turntable to Balanced Output

But some good SE cables do use an audio ground connection via the same wire used for the hot side. In that case, the shield will not be connected to the audio ground wire, and using such a cable for balanced is "better".

Thank you @lewm , that will helps impedance balance on positive and negative lead, made perfect sense!

I’m not really sure this true balanced outs because the transformers feed both sidle ended and XLRs. I am relatively new to this.

@audiosaurusrex Transformers allow you to run single-ended or balanced simply by grounding one side for single-ended, or balanced by letting the transformer winding 'float' (not be referenced to ground in any way) and simply being connected to pins 2 and 3 of the XLR connection.

So to run it single ended you would use a switch or install a jumper to the XLR connection, thus connecting pin 3 to pin 1.

@rauliruegas The old Decca cartridges from the 1960s and 70s had only three pins and thus have to be treated as single-ended sources. They are the only exception to 'all cartridges are balanced' I've ever seen- even ceramic cartridges can be treated as a balanced source. The newer Decca cartridges have 4 pins and are thus balanced.

So, the Edison phonograph is not balanced? Heh heh, there is always so much to learn here.

  Differences between a balanced connection and a balanced circuit (not just an electrical adjustment, but in fact a truly balanced design) are important to remember. That can further muddy the waters by not just accepting that an input may not be true to its suggested nature.

@atmasphere 

The input used an input transformer as well. This allowed the tape machine to have microphones a good 150 feet from the machine with no degradation of the mic signal. 

Do you really believe this. My understanding is that any low signal level cable over 3 metres no matter how whoopdido is going to have high frequency roll off. And what about phase shifts and internal reflections within the cable itself.

I find it hard to believe there is no degradation.

Do you really believe this. My understanding is that any low signal level cable over 3 metres no matter how whoopdido is going to have high frequency roll off. And what about phase shifts and internal reflections within the cable itself.

I find it hard to believe there is no degradation.

@dover 

No- I don't 'believe' it- I know it. I've run similar lengths for microphone signals myself- with no rolloff. Its helpful to keep in mind that a properly set up balanced line system is also low impedance (600 Ohms is typical) and the low impedance aspect allows you to run longer connections.