XLR-RCA: Adapters or Custom Cable?

Hi Kirkus,

"If the DAC has a transformer-coupled or "active floating" output, then pin 3 needs to be grounded. If it has an active symmetrical ground-referenced output, then pin 3 shouldn't be grounded, it should be left floating. In either of these cases, ground goes to pin 1 and the unbalanced output positive goes to pin 2 . . . "

May I know how does these affect the sound if not "connected" as said?

Many Thanks!

Thanks again for all of the input everyone. I had to think long and hard before buying the Lavry unit which only has balanced outs knowing full well that there's no way that I'm replacing my current integrated which is single ended only. In the end, I really wanted to hear the Lavry so I decided to live with the fact that I would have to go balanced to unbalanced. There were a number of people reporting having used the Cardas adapters with good success but my thought was that using an adapter might degrade the sound. It probably is only a matter of a few percent or splittng hairs, not the end of the world. The fact that you can configure the Lavry unit for pin 2 or pin 3 hot going unbalanced ensures that the unit will not be blowing up unless you configure it incorrectly.

All that being said, I am currently using a female XLR to RCA made from Kimber PBJ which is doing an OK job but as I am using Zen Silver ref II in the rest of my system, it's not quite the same. The plan now is to get a set of Neotech cables custom made in an xlr to rca configuration. The NEI-1002 that I am trying to get uses OCC 7n silver which is at least similar to what is in the Zen cables that I am already using and am quite happy with overall. At any rate, the upcharge for getting balanced ends on the cable was about 1/3rd of what the Cardas adapters are and significantly less than the BAT's so I figured that it was worthwhile to have a single, constant connection. Thanks again...

May I know how does these affect the sound if not "connected" as said?

If you get the pin-2-hot/pin-3-hot connection schemes switched around, then the phase will be reversed . . . refer to all the classic arguments for absolute phase as to whether or not this matters.

If you have a transformer-coupled or "active-floating" output and you don't ground the low-side (usually pin 3), you'll know it . . . you'll get very little sound.

But if you're grounding one side of an "active balanced" (balanced ground-referenced output), everything will still work, but the output driver circuit for the grounded (unused) half will be operating permanently in an overload condition. If it's designed correctly it won't be damaged, but this still isn't good. If feedback for the entire output stage is taken in a balanced, symmetrical fashion, then you may get a very obvious, horrendous clipping. But at the very least, distortion harmonics and half-wave currents from the overloaded half of the output stage are likely to flow through ground traces and bypass capacitors that also serve the side of the circuit that you ARE using, degrading its distortion performance.

..just a reiteration that damage can result from adapters. That doesn't mean it does do damage, just that it CAN do damage. I remember clearly my Rowland 120 lbs. Model 7 having to go back to Rowland because of the non-standard use of XLR with either the amp or the adapter (I don't remember). My post was a word of caution to contact the manufacturer. Any snide and stupid remarks from dealers may be addressed to the local mirror.

Mr Jedi, as I alluded to earlier whoever makes the adapters should be aware that on your unit pin 3 is the non inverted (plus) output. There are jumpers that allow you to internally ground the unused output pin but not to reverse which is plus or minus.

Your builder should use pin 3 to the center pin of the RCA and pin one to the outside ring for ground.