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Are luxman integrated amps truly balanced?

Hello,

I have the Luxman L-507z integrated amp. Sounds excellent. There are 2 line inputs on the back that are listed as balanced inputs (XLR). My DAC has balanced outputs (holoaudio spring 3 kte). Am I wasting my time and money getting good xlr cables? Also the DAC puts out 5.8volts. The XLR inputs (according to Luxman) can handle up to 6volts. Using RCA outputs/inputs the DAC puts out 2.9volts and the amp can handle up to 9 volts. Am I in danger of harming my amp using XLR ? The DAC has no volume control. The cable run is very short...3 feet.

paqua123
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,134 posts
 

True balanced is Differentially balanced input to output meaning it needs 

a separate transformer per channel to isolate it ,it is more $$ expensive 

and more complex in design. , it is not common though. 

paqua123 OP
49 posts
 

Ya I dont think Luxman has those transformers. Ill try with RCA and XLR see what sounds better. Do you guys think the 5.8Volts into XLR input is dangerous for the Luxman? Since it can handle 6volts?

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,602 posts
 

These little Jensen transformers are normally used. They also add a little gain, making "balanced" louder which is whey some people think it sounds better.  They are about $100 each and you need 2 per amp.

 

I use SE for everything. --Jerry

paqua123 OP
49 posts
 

Ya, I think thats beyond me hah. Ill just test SE and go with it, so long as the quality is still there. When i use the XLR connection from the DAC to AMP its 6DB louder than SE. Was my first clue that the Luxman wasnt truly balanced. 

paqua123 OP
49 posts
 

I think a company called Rothwell makes inline attenuators. Like -10db etc. That would lower my DACs output to like 1.9volts...wonder if they change the sound at all.

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