2. analog
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Why so few balanced phono inputs?

I have been through the posts regarding whether a phono cartridge is a balanced connection or not and per Ralph Karsten etc. I agree it is balanced. It finally hit me why someone like Pass Labs doesn't offer a balanced input on a balanced unit (I wanted one until I saw they only had rca)...There are so few turntables that offer a balanced out connection. I got mine from VPI and it was easily switched and was a huge improvement... but are there other TT brands that offer a balanced connection? I was in a high end shop the other day...first time in a while... and saw none. Even SME didn't show one as an option on their site. Not trying to open the balanced vs. single-ended thing but maybe it is endemmic to the conversation. Thanks
sm2727
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,910 posts
 
So we can tweak the sound with ICs if needed?

It's just like rolling tubes except with wires.

Lot's of other ways to tweak though, probably more effectively but that would require us to be smarter.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,910 posts
 
If I was really smart I would not have to roll tubes either. I'd know the right one right off. Unfortunately, I am not that smart. So these things take me awhile. :^{
riffer
362 posts
 
Aqvox

They have some info on their website on which tonearms are wired for balanced operation.

I have a balanced phono stage on my wish list to replace my Trigon Vanguard II. Speakers first though.
lewm
13,718 posts
 
2 things:
If you choose to replace an RCA male plug with an XLR, the convention is that the hot wire into the RCA plug should go to pin2 of the XLR. The "other" signal-carrying wire goes to pin3. Ground and only ground attaches to pin1. But as John Tracy intimated, the shield of a typical RCA-terminated single-ended cable, if used to connect to pin3 (carrying the negative phase), may cause issues in sonic quality. Which I suspect has something to do with why many say that balanced is inferior to SE. If you choose to connect the cartridge in balanced mode, best to have two conductors of equal quality for the plus and minus phases of the signal. It's not hard to make such a cable for yourself.
Maybe that was only one thing, not two.
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,552 posts
 
Well length does matter a lot in professional audio and that's why they use XLR, much lower noise floor and 110ohm vs 75ohm. If your trying to FIX a problem with detail and/or sound quality by switching from RCA to XLR, it dose not always make things better. If your company uses balanced circuts for its audio products that's great. That is a designers choice...But to say that all balanced designs are going to sound better than unbalanced ones is horse shit! Talk to EveAnna Manley at Manley labs who among many others who don't see using unbalanced as a step back in sound quality over balanced. IMO balanced is not the last word in sound quality.
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