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Balanced to RCA adaptors

I have a system using all XLR cables, and recently ordered a new preamp that is all RCA. (No choice here)
I am wondering, should I switch all my IC's to RCA, or can I just use the XLR to RCA Cardas adaptors and not have a sound degredation? If I do use the adaptors, do I need to use them at both ends of the IC or can I leave the amp end plugged in with XLR and the preamp end plugged in using the adaptor, to the RCA connection?
bullot
bullot OP
130 posts
 
Thanks for the response. The amp is Levinson 33H and I don't know if I have the right terminology, but I believe it is as you said differentially balanced...... truly balanced. Apparently Levinson did something on the 33H internal to make the RCA connection balanced as well, according to the manual. It is a very short cable run, 1.5 to 2M, so I'm hoping that will help. The preamp is the New Joule Electra LA300ME "Marianne". It is obviously tube and has an adjustable gain which should help as well.

A concern was.......can I plug in to the balanced end at the amp and the RCA end at the pre......or should I get adaptors for both ends? Anyone know? I could call Levinson and see what they say.
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bullot OP
130 posts
 
Hey, thanks very much Tvad!! I appreciate you sharing your obviously considerable exerience and knowledge!!
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,382 posts
 
Check out the adaptors at sweetwater.com. I compared head-to-head vs. Cardas, and none of us heard a difference in my rig(see systems: Goosebump Factory). $5 vs. $75, or something like that...Audiophile vs. poor musician markups. Cheers,
Spencer
clio09
3,364 posts
 
If as you state the RCA input on the Levinson is also "balanced" I'd go with an RCA cable and avoid the adapters. If you do try the adapters and find you prefer the sound in this configuration versus straight RCA cable, you could always have a custom cable made where it is RCA on the output end and XLR on the input end.
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