RCA to XLR interconnect wiring diagram

If the component with XLRs is IEC-compliant use pin 2 for all signal wires and send two ground wires each to pins 1/3.

Depends whether you're using transformer based gear or not.

W/tranny based gear, use a tiny piece of wire across pins 1 & 3 and run that to the shell of the RCA. Pin 2 will go to the center tip of the RCA.

With non-tranny gear, pin 1 to the shell and pin 2 goes to the center tip of the RCA. Leave pin 3 open.

This held true on my gear using a fully balanced amp & CDP w/single ended passive. The cable with pin 3 open goes from XLR female out of CDP into RCA at pre. The cable w/wire across pins 1& 3 goes from RCA out of pre into male XLR at amp.

I originally made the cable from the CDP w/wire soldered across pins 1 & 3 but got a hum through the spkrs, so removed it & the hum went away.

Both cables are non-shielded.

Additional information courtesy of Jon Risch here

Thanks, ran the 4 signal wires to pin 2 and split the 4 ground wires 2 to pin 1 and 2 to pin 3 and I'm up and running with no hum at all. Brian