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Unbalanced and Balanced output voltage

I have always seen that most sources with unbalanced (RCA) and balanced (XLR) have an ouput voltage that is double for the XLR, e.g. RCA=2Vrms, XLR=4Vrms. However, I have noticed that quite a few sources (Esoteric players are a good example) have the same output voltage for balanced and unbalanced. How does it affect the preamplifier? Thanks
raulpjc
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
the true balanced compoonents most-likely will have double voltage out of XLR. in case with RCA the voltage is measured between ground and positive while in XLR the voltage is measured between positive and negative pins +2v and -2v with respect to ground.
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,407 posts
 
Great question, Raul. You beat me to it. I was thinking of posting this today.
If someone can also answer the "leg" of XLR that I discussed a couple of weeks back. I have also noticed the same thing as Raul. 2V vs 4V. Is it that:
1.Some manufacturers do not prefer the "leg" approach and provide the "total" of "2V+2V" = 4V as the XLR out to the preamp
OR
2. Some manufacturers provide the figure of "2V" at each "leg" of the XLR to the preamp?
The reason I want to find is, when I switched from RCA to XLR between the preamp and amp, I got [substantial] gain. And some folks did mention that the gain "doubled". So whatever volts were going from preamp to amp - are they sent twice over + and - "legs" of the XLR?
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