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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
paqua123 OP
97 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.

wlutke
744 posts
 

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. 

 XLR carries a hot signal on one conductor and an inverted hot signal on another conductor.  A diff amp compares the two signals and amplifies the difference.  A +5 volt compared to -5 volt is a difference of 10 volts.  That's the 6 dB gain.  

bigkidz
3,413 posts
 

@audioman58 - his comment is spot on. Luxman also stopped using toroidal transformers as they claimed that they were noisy.

 

 

pennfootball71's avatar
pennfootball71
280 posts
 

No Luxman uses a transformer it is colored and not accurate. On single ended it is also too warm and has a wimpy power supply.

it is Japanese McIntosh.

paqua123 OP
97 posts
 

Shrug, I havent found it warm at all. Pretty dang neutral and clean. So maybe it's what it's being fed that matters. I'm using a holoaudio DAC. 

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