RCA to XLR adapters?

Maybe you should spend more time here in the beautiful North.

Hi

I have the reverse situation.

I am using a Krell power amp which only takes XLR inputs and a Mark Levinson DAC which has both RCA and XLR outputs. I was previously using a Krell KRC preamp which has both XLR and RCA inputs and outputs. All my cables are XLR terminated. I am thinking of switching to a Conrad Johnson ET3 preamp, specifically running XLR cables from DAC to preamp and also running XLR cables from preamp to power amp.

Can anyone please tell me which adapters are suitable? I am confused between male and female, XLR to RCA etc.

Also, again the question of sound degradation in this setup - how best to avoid this?

Thanks

I runRCA IC's from a Wyetech Opal pre (RCA out) to Krell FPB 300cx (only XLR in) and use BAT adaptors (female on RCA side, male on XLR side). Sounds pretty darn good to me, and has for several years now. I had used Cardas adaptors, which also were good but IMHO the BAT's are superior.

The other alternative is to have amp side re-terminated, which I had done on IC's and quite frankly, could not tell a difference from adaptors. YMMV.

Neal

Mikey, as you've gathered from the posts above there are a number of possibilities, and the internal design of the specific components can be an important and unpredictable variable.

My instinct, though, would be to simply use an rca cable between DAC and preamp, and to use a Jensen transformer between preamp and power amp. I'm sure that a call to Jensen will get you some good advice as to selection of a particular model.

I would not recommend using an adapter between DAC and preamp, in part because as I mentioned above most adapters short the signal on xlr pin 3 to ground (most equipment can tolerate that on its outputs, but some cannot), and in part because I doubt that it would provide any benefit compared to an rca-to-rca connection (aside perhaps from saving you the cost of a new cable).

If you want to try an adapter at the preamp output instead of using a transformer, using the adapter in conjunction with your present xlr cables, here are two low priced examples of the kind of adapters that would be suitable. Cardas and others probably offer higher end counterparts, although keep in mind Ralph's comment above that the Cardas adapters he has seen do not ground xlr pin 3. When adapting an rca output to an xlr input, you DO want pin 3 to be grounded.

Regards,
-- Al

Thanks for the feedback.

Just to clarify is this what I'll need?

DAC output balanced) to Preamp input(single ended): male RCA to female XLR

Preamp output (single ended) to Power amp input (balanced): male RCA to male XLR

Is this correct?

Thanks