2. amps-preamps
  3. 186123-23048

Audio Research reference amplifiers used with RCA IC`s and unbalanced preamplifiers

I am considering purchasing used audio research reference amplifiers either 150se or 75 SE. My question is this

As these amplifiers are fully balanced and don't have an RCA input, can I use RCA interconnects with a conversion plug from RCA to balanced at the amplifier input and will it work in my system?

I don't have any balanced interconnects and don't want to go through the extra expense. Only one of my three preamplifiers has an XLR output and there's nothing indicating the preamplifier is fully balanced.

I find this balanced/ unbalanced criteria confusing.

 

nsp
nsp OP
654 posts
 

ghdprentice

Thanks your suggestion makes sense.If I purchase the ARC amp and really like it I could  sell off several preamps and IC'S and go all ARC with balanced interconnects.

ghdprentice
7,323 posts
 

@newbee 

 

Thanks. I have to agree, quality probably more important than type in this case.

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cleeds
6,031 posts
 
newbee

... how much of that appeal is really important if you have short runs and no noise issues ...

The OP will give up 6 dB of s/n if he uses the single-ended connections. That's why I don't see the wisdom of buying balanced electronics such as ARC and then running them single-ended.

nsp 

My 2 current amplifiers are both tubes class a/b so I don't think I would incur any extra electric expense ...

My cautioning you about expense wasn't because of your electric use, but because of the cost of tube replacement (ARC tends to run its tubes hard, so replacement is more frequent than with some other manufacturers) and also service costs, because a failed tube in an ARC amp can often take out a screen resistor. That's an added expense if you're not comfortable repairing it yourself.

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,967 posts
 

As these amplifiers are fully balanced and don't have an RCA input, can I use RCA interconnects with a conversion plug from RCA to balanced at the amplifier input and will it work in my system?

@nsp I think the answer is no.

IIRC, these two amps, while 'fully differential', have a poor Common Mode Rejection Ratio at their inputs! What this means is that it makes a big difference to them if the balanced input is driven properly. In support of this (again, IIRC), I was told by the front man at ARC (Kalvin, since retired) that the amp will make significantly less power and significantly greater distortion if driven single-ended.

newbee
4,778 posts
 

+Atmosphere! Better from the horse's mouth than the horse's ass. :-)

 

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