Benefits Of Xlr Cables?????

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  • dinyaar
    Member
    • Aug 2006
    • 50

    Benefits Of Xlr Cables?????

    Hi guys,
    Sorry to keep bothering u guys with my querries. My set up is a Cyrus CD 8X, Bryston BP 6/ 3 BSST pre/power and B&W 805s.
    The preamp only has RCA outputs though the power amp accepts both RCA and male XLR s.
    What would be the best option if i wanted to use the balanced inputs on the power amp?
    It it possible to get an RCA to male XLR cable? Will this cable also work as a balanced cable?
    Or should i buy an xlr to xlr cable and use an xlr to rca adapter at the preamp end?

    Lastly an XLR is supposed to be a better connection, with lower noise floor and cleaner sound but will the above suggestions sound any better than just using an RCA to RCA interconnect?
    Thanks in advance
    Last edited by dinyaar; 23 March 2008, 02:13 Sunday. Reason: additional info required
  • DL86
    Senior Member
    • Sep 2005
    • 271

    #2
    Balanced XLR connections are good for live broadcast and for long runs. I dunno about converting XLR to RCA you will loose any apparent benefit as you will still be getting an unbalanced signal if you do that, thus making it a useless option unless your equipment only has an XLR connection and the other has only an RCA connection then ok. In a home audio situation I don't think the balanced connection will bring all that much benefit unless your doing long runs which could lead to noise and therefore a balanced connection 3 pin connection would be useful.
    The reason a balanced connection is good for live broadcast is because if you ever tried switching sources on an amplifier with rca you will get a loud noise, if you try the same with an XLR connector the ground pin hits the connection first and that noise is non existant when switching between multiple sources on the same input. Which is why it is good for live broadcast. Again useless in a home audio situation.
    In the end if your equipment has both try both of them. Most likely you wouldn't be able to pick out the difference in a blind test.

    Comment

    • Mark-n-b
      Senior Member
      • Apr 2005
      • 188

      #3
      I agree - using RCA converted to XLR would not be worth while in your situation. I don't think you would get any benefit.

      I wouldn't say that balanced connections are solely for broadcast and not for home audio though. Denon and Classe (and others) make processors and amplifiers that are completely balanced, so connecting processor to amplifier using balanced cables keeps the entire analog signal balanced until it hits the speaker terminals.

      The Denon DCD-SA1 and PMA-SA1 are a case in point. Both units are balanced so you would connect them using balanced connectors.

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      Comment

      • dinyaar
        Member
        • Aug 2006
        • 50

        #4
        Benefits of XLR s

        Hi DL and Mark,

        Thanks for ur inputs.
        I would be only using a 1 meter IC so i guess the long lenght is not a factor here. The reason i asked if my earlier suggestions were possible/beneficial was i saw a pre terminated VDH interconnect(RCA -XLR) at the distributor here in bombay, India.
        He said it was to accept an unbalalnced signal from a cdp or pre and convert it to a balanced at the other end, and listed the benefits to me i.e lower noise floor, 3db sound pressure increase, etc. Since he was very keen to sell it to me i was a bit sceptical. Unfortunately he wont let me try the cable myself. (not an unusual practice here) I tried to get some info on the net and found some neutrik rca to xlr adapters and was wondering if they would be good.
        Thanks again

        Comment

        • ninja12
          Senior Member
          • Mar 2007
          • 181

          #5
          Originally posted by dinyaar
          Hi DL and Mark,

          Thanks for ur inputs.
          I would be only using a 1 meter IC so i guess the long lenght is not a factor here. The reason i asked if my earlier suggestions were possible/beneficial was i saw a pre terminated VDH interconnect(RCA -XLR) at the distributor here in bombay, India.
          He said it was to accept an unbalalnced signal from a cdp or pre and convert it to a balanced at the other end, and listed the benefits to me i.e lower noise floor, 3db sound pressure increase, etc. Since he was very keen to sell it to me i was a bit sceptical. Unfortunately he wont let me try the cable myself. (not an unusual practice here) I tried to get some info on the net and found some neutrik rca to xlr adapters and was wondering if they would be good.
          Thanks again

          Going from an unbalanced connection, RCA, to a balanced connection, XLR, will not be a benefit because the signal is starting from the source as unbalanced.

          Comment

          • dinyaar
            Member
            • Aug 2006
            • 50

            #6
            XLR cables

            Hi guys,

            Thanks for all the suggestions. Will stick to my kimber RCA s.
            Its funny that the Bryston BP6 does not feature an XLR out to match their power amps.

            regards

            Comment

            • Lex
              Moderator Emeritus
              • Apr 2001
              • 27461

              #7
              Ok, FYI, this thread did NOT belong in Club B & W. It's a general audio topic.

              Next one I see like this will be deleted without recourse.
              Doug
              "I'm out there Jerry, and I'm loving every minute of it!" - Kramer

              Comment

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