Modify soundcard, unbalanced to balanced.

Llafriel · 15th May 2006, 03:32 PM

Hi,

I'm thinking of modifying my soundcard, an M-Audio Revolution. I'm thinking about adding balanced outs for the front channels.
I've just built myself a pair of Aleph 5 monoblocks and they have two inputs. Rca and xlr. I drive these directly from the soundcard at the moment. But now I want to connect other equipment to it as well as the pc. I'm aware of wires that go from rca to xlr, but this is without the benefit of balanced transmission of course. The monoblocks might be placed some distance away from the pc so having balanced might be a good thing.
Is this a bad idea? Will I degrade the sound by converting from unbalanced to balanced?

richie00boy · 15th May 2006, 03:52 PM

You need to build a little converter box. Look on sound.westhost.com there is a project on there and also the power supply you will need is P05 powered from a 'wall wart' to give you an isolated supply.

Llafriel · 15th May 2006, 04:32 PM

Thanks for the reply. I was already looking at those projects. Will adding this circuit degrade the signal though? At any level I'm able to hear?

richie00boy · 15th May 2006, 05:31 PM

I'm sure some will say it will. I feel the benefits when using longer cable runs far outweigh any claimed sonic smearing.

Llafriel · 15th May 2006, 05:54 PM

Thanks. Just what I wanted to hear.

jrdmedford · 15th May 2006, 11:44 PM

Get a pair of SSM2142 (Analog Devices), or DRV134 (Burr Brown).
They are pin and package interchangeable. These guys are
designed specifically for driving a balanced line. Just add
power supply decoupling caps and XLRs.

You can also modify equipment at the receiver with the
SSM2143 / DRV135. If you use the driver / receiver pair, you will
get exceptionally good performance.

-- Jim

Llafriel · 16th May 2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jrdmedford
Get a pair of SSM2142 (Analog Devices), or DRV134 (Burr Brown).
They are pin and package interchangeable. These guys are
designed specifically for driving a balanced line. Just add
power supply decoupling caps and XLRs.

You can also modify equipment at the receiver with the
SSM2143 / DRV135. If you use the driver / receiver pair, you will
get exceptionally good performance.

-- Jim

Thanks for the tip. They look nice indeed, and easier to implement(me be lazy). But I don't need a reciever with my aleph do I? Or have I misunderstood once again..

15th May 2006, 03:32 PM	#1
Llafriel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Trondheim	Modify soundcard, unbalanced to balanced. Hi, I'm thinking of modifying my soundcard, an M-Audio Revolution. I'm thinking about adding balanced outs for the front channels. I've just built myself a pair of Aleph 5 monoblocks and they have two inputs. Rca and xlr. I drive these directly from the soundcard at the moment. But now I want to connect other equipment to it as well as the pc. I'm aware of wires that go from rca to xlr, but this is without the benefit of balanced transmission of course. The monoblocks might be placed some distance away from the pc so having balanced might be a good thing. Is this a bad idea? Will I degrade the sound by converting from unbalanced to balanced?

15th May 2006, 03:52 PM	#2
richie00boy Did it Himself diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gloucestershire, England, UK	You need to build a little converter box. Look on sound.westhost.com there is a project on there and also the power supply you will need is P05 powered from a 'wall wart' to give you an isolated supply. __________________ www.readresearch.co.uk my website for UK diy audio people - designs, PCBs, kits and more

15th May 2006, 05:31 PM	#4
richie00boy Did it Himself diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gloucestershire, England, UK	I'm sure some will say it will. I feel the benefits when using longer cable runs far outweigh any claimed sonic smearing. __________________ www.readresearch.co.uk my website for UK diy audio people - designs, PCBs, kits and more

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15th May 2006, 04:32 PM	#3
Llafriel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Trondheim	Thanks for the reply. I was already looking at those projects. Will adding this circuit degrade the signal though? At any level I'm able to hear?

15th May 2006, 05:54 PM	#5
Llafriel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Trondheim	Thanks. Just what I wanted to hear.

15th May 2006, 11:44 PM	#6
jrdmedford diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Medford, MA	Get a pair of SSM2142 (Analog Devices), or DRV134 (Burr Brown). They are pin and package interchangeable. These guys are designed specifically for driving a balanced line. Just add power supply decoupling caps and XLRs. You can also modify equipment at the receiver with the SSM2143 / DRV135. If you use the driver / receiver pair, you will get exceptionally good performance. -- Jim

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