XLR waste of time ?


would it be worth it to use a set of cardas adapters, rca to xlr , in order to run my simaudio lp3 into my ayre K5x-e balanced preamp xlr input instead of the rca input im currently using ? thanks .
jrw40
Let me rephrase the question: What XLR connectors do you (or anyone) view as equal to or better than an Eichmann silver RCA?

Ignoring for a moment the preference for exotic materials such as silver and gold (and equipment failure, contact or design issues), one can say,in general, that ANY XLR connection will normally perform at least equal to and often better than RCA.

Any good quality XLR from a guitar store (such as Mogami) should at least equal the best RCA.
Jimjoyce25, the standard Neutrik will do the job. Its available in both silver and gold versions. There are of course exotic XLR connector varieties, but IMO/IME, if the balanced line is set up correctly, they don't make any significant difference.

One way of looking at this- RCA single-ended cables strive towards a sort of goal of perfection. If the balanced connection is set up right, its already there; IOW the RCA will always be falling slightly short of what any balanced cable can do.

This is not only because of the balanced aspect but also because of the fact that if balanced lines are set up correctly, they are *low impedance*. Low output moving coils play perfectly into this; nearly all are 'low impedance', i.e. they can *drive* a load of 600 ohms (or less) and sound **better** for doing so.
It sounds as if the conclusions being voiced here are based more on philosophical creed, rather than on experimentation----at least not recent experimentation.

Since either type of connector can be used on either type of cable, the comparison should be pretty straightforward.

I've done the direct comparison of Eichmann silver vs copper RCAs. and in a good enough system, the superiority of the silver is quite clear.

I'd be interested in knowing if anyone has done a similarly direct comparison between the Eichmann silvers and high-quality XLR connectors.
Hello,

I've found the following highly informative:

http://www.rane.com/note110.html

It's entitled, "Sound System Interconnection" by/for Rane Technical Staff. If you haven't come across this in your research, I would respectfully encourage its perusal!

Best regards,
Sam
Does anyone know of a manufacturer that makes XLRs with pure silver pins?

Based on their low price, it doesn't look like the Neutrik silvers are made this way. (Unlike the Eichmann silver RCAs, which are pure silver, with a price that reflects this.)