Cable selection

[xixel]

Ok, I've got a soundcard on the way (M-Audio Audiophile 192) and I want to run it to my rotel RC-1090, whats the best way to do this? the card has balanced 1/4" outputs, should I buy a wire that goes from 1/4" to XLR into my preamp?

Soundcard:



Back of preamp gif attached

I need to run it close to 15 feet maybe less

[wildfire99]

Yes, 1/4" balanced to XLR. Any music store should have it.

[aud19]

Neither your Rotel and I doubt the M-audio card are true balanced designs. In other words save money or put that extra money in to higher quality RCA connections. Try the link at the bottom of the page for Cat Cables. Doug will hook you up with some reasonably priced, quality RCA's

[xixel]

really hope the card works out, couldnt afford much of anything else right now this is kind of temp. so you'd think I'd be better off getting high quality 1/4" to RCA? just want the best route from my soundcard to the preamp

[aud19]

yup

[wildfire99]

That sucks that the Rotel isn't... what's with that. :x The M-Audio had better be balanced though, as it's based on their Delta professional stuff (not that it's terribly professional either...).

I never liked 1/4" to RCA, but eh, what else can you do. I read the outputs on the Audiophile are also -10dBv... true?

[Lex]

true balanced from computer audio? doubtful, very doubtful. I'd say 1/4" to RCA makes the most sense of anything. Besides guys, there's no way you can magically make something balanced from a 2 wire unbalanced output.

In order for something to have balanced outputs, it's going to have to have an XLR output to begin with. I believe, otherwise it's unbalanced by design.

Doug

[xixel]

Thanks for the input guys, this setup is only really temprary, till I can afford something much better so I think I'll save the money on the good cables for the time being, plan to upgrade within a few months and I'll def be seeing cat cable when that time comes

[Lex]

I'll look forward to it Mr. X.

Lex

[wildfire99]

1/4" TRS is capable of carrying a balanced signal (stero style plug: tip, ring, and sleeve). 1/4" TS is not. I don't like it in the studio though (it gets confusing), but it's the de-facto patchbay format. My next PC 'card' will probably be an external box like the MOTU 828mk2. 1/4" TRS outputs, the combo jacks on input. Oh yeah, it's balanced.

It is all upsetting though, because I never realized before looking at home audio equipment that so much of it is mired in misrepresentation. Or, is it really just home audio?

[aud19]

Or, is it really just home audio?

Sadly no. Seems that's the world we live in....

All we can do is try dig through the muck and make the best of it :B That's why places like HTG exist :T