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Do balanced/symmetrical phono cables really exist?


Hi,

I play, or try to play, with a balanced Blue Amp 42 with symmetrical inputs so I need a symmetrical phono interlink to get the best result (playing with a non-balanced interlink would mean a loss of 6 dB gain). So I go look look for a symmetrical interlink. I mail a well known cable cooker in the Netherland, where I live, and ask him about his balanced phono interlinks. The answer I get is roughly as follows:

'to be honest, my symmetrical interlink isn't really symmetrical. It has the same construction as an RCA/ cinch cable. The only difference is that it has xlr-connectors.

At he moment I'm using a Kimber 1230 phono cable with xlr-connectors and I am pretty sure that this one is non-symmetrical as well, just xlr-connectors because I don't seem to get enough gain from my phono-pre.

What's your stand on this, do symmetrical phono interlinks exist or are we all being fooled bij the manufacturers?

Jos
alabaster
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I'm not sure what you mean by symmetrical. From reading your post, it looks like another way to say balanced. I'll assume thats the case.

As far as phono cartridges go, they are balanced by design. There may be some exceptions, but I'm not aware of any. The tone arm cables can be terminated balanced or single ended. If its terminated balanced, it should be true balanced, not just attaching an xlr connector to component or cable that is not balanced by design.

As far as the interconnects go, you are correct in that not all cables are balanced even if they are terminated with xlr connectors. If you have fully balanced equipment, you need to make sure your cables are fully balanced as well. The cable should have 3 separate conductors or 2 separate conductors and a drain wire. Anything less than that and you don't have a fully balanced cable.
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stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 
I am using balanced cables from the cartridge into the speakers...everything is balanced. The result is absolutely dead quiet backgrounds...wonderful sound. The tonearm should be wired to accept balanced connection...some are from the factory and some are not.
alabaster OP
3 posts
 
Thanks for your reactions.

i just had a phonecall from a firm that makes audio cables and they told me that due to the Tac connection on the output of the arm, it is not possible to use a balanced interlink. It would be sufficient to use an RCA interlink with tac/din to xlr connectors. The pre, they said, will take care of the rest.

It is becoming a bit confusing, to be honest.

Jos
extravaganza
373 posts
 
If I correctly remember , Atlas cables make or call some they interlinks symmetrical http://www.atlascables.com/interconnects-main.html
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