Balanced in phono stages preamp?

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Hi jh, It sounds like we're not talking about the thing. How about if I create a bias voltage for the input section that is set at something other than ground? I could set it a -1 volt for example. You really want to eat those resistors??

Forgive me, I tire of this thread. What started as an intelligent debate has devolved into childish wordplay. I must be annoying everyone as I keep repeating myself (a sign of insanity) like a broken record. I'm like a homeless bum pushing a shopping cart mumbling to myself. Seriously, didn't I just say:

"...or some other reference voltage similar to ground..."?

And before that:

"...the receiver is providing the common mode reference..."?

Maybe my posts are moderated and nobody else can see them. If so, I apologize. I had thought the see-saw analogy and the fact that the input stage is providing the common mode reference (pivot point) for the cart would make sense.

Why did I bother? It's very simple. I like the truth. I don't like the way marketing can obscure and twist reality. You see, there are a few phono stages out there with XLR inputs that have pin 3 tied to ground. Hence, they actually run single-ended. Clearly that is not the case for atmasphere or bat. Just a few I won't name. The problem, as I see it, is that perpetuating this myth that a cartridge in and of itself is a balanced transmitter gives these folks a pass. Customers end up believing. Hey, it had an XLR input, right?

The tragic irony here, is that the guy doing the most to benefit the disengenuous is someone who makes the effort to do it right.

jh

Hi jh, if I provide two independent floating bias supplies for the input of the preamp, I don't have to have the grid resistors go to a common point. This way the cartridge does not have a 'center tap'. Yet it still works exactly the same way- no noise running as a balanced source into our balanced differential input. It does in tact satisfy all the requirements of a balanced source.

Inductors being what they are, you can create a balanced output with a transformer that is driven single-ended. And it works fine- the technique has been used for decades. Cartridges are no different in this regard.

You might consider the implications- I took a look at your website and you have some impressive little goodies!

if I provide two independent floating bias supplies for the input of the preamp, I don't have to have the grid resistors go to a common point.

Perhaps I have no imagination but I don't see how that can work. Everything still has to have a common reference point. The bias is applied from grid to cathode, and the cathodes have to have the same reference in a diff amp, so the supplies would have the same reference and not be floating. Correct? It sure would be nice if you could post a picture on this forum.