Pro Audio Equipment In the Home

[CARTRulz]

What about the 1/4 inch inputs? Ive seen balanced 6 foot RCA to 1/4" adapters liike these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...Fencoding=UTF8

Is there any difference in audio quality between XLR and 1/4 inch? I just don't want to lose any signal in these adapters.

[BlackCatSound]

The XLR and the jack are wired in parallel, there is no difference between them.

You will loose signal level going from unballanced to ballanced like that but you won't loose quality.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally posted by CARTRulz
Very cool, now Ive got one last question. Im looking at these EQ's, and theres a version of that behringer that has "limiters" which is $180 and then theres one without "limitors" for $130. What the hell are limitors? Is it worth the extra 50 bucks? Also, is there any audio quality loss when converting from XLR to RCA? Does it make more sense to just buy a 6 band graphic equalizer for home audio for about the same price?

The reason for the limiter is so as not to overload the power amplifiers - it's not a concern for domestic use, but for PA use it's very much a concern - as you have a much wider dynamic range.

A six band graphic is pretty poor?, presumably the Behringer one is much larger?.

No problems XLR to RCA, it's all just audio anyway!.

[CARTRulz]

Yeah the Behringer is a 31 band.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally posted by CARTRulz
Yeah the Behringer is a 31 band.

Doesn't look much of a decision then?.

[CARTRulz]

So I went ahead and ordered some of these:

http://www.audiogear.com/cgi-bin/sho...&preadd=action

And these:

http://www.audiogear.com/cgi-bin/sho...&preadd=action

And Im getting humming at moderate to high volumes. Any ideas? Should I buy something like this instead?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...Fencoding=UTF8
The EQ has a option to boost or reduce signal level +/-15db, so losing signal level doesnt seem like its that big of a deal if it gets rid of the humming.

Thanks.

[JohnL]

If you are getting humming, first make sure you don't have a ground loop problem. Run down to a local hardware store and pick up one of these.

Ground Isolator

There may be balanced/unbalanced problems, but when you get a hum, this is the easiest place to start.

[CARTRulz]

Well Ive never had any problems with humming before, and when I play with the xlr to rca adapters the noise changes, so I'm pretty sure its that. Plus every single component in my system is 3 pronged and plugged into a surge supressor.

I hate these little problems.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally posted by CARTRulz
Plus every single component in my system is 3 pronged and plugged into a surge supressor.

I hate these little problems.

That probably why, you may have an earth loop - you should only have a single earth on all the connected equipment. Obviously it's NOT recommended to disconnect the power earths, so you can interconnect with a screened lead with the screen only connected at ONE end.

[paulspencer]

I have Behringer EP2500 and Ultracurve DEQ2496 for home use. I recommend both.

I would not run balanced unless you need to since there is a circuit involved and more components added in the signal path.

If you have worked out where all your audio components will go, then I would make DIY cables and make them to the correct length with an XLR on one end, RCA on the other, or as required. It's simple, cost effective and neat.

6 band graphic eq is pretty useless.

Ultracurve is very powerful. Put a mic in the listening position and it will auto EQ the whole thing flat! It will remove peaks from room modes, fix up anything that the crossovers didn't quite get right and balance room effects so the tonal balance is much more neutral and natural.

It has dynamic eq which can tailor the response at different SPL levels to match the changing sensitivity of the ear. It can boost bass at low levels then remove the boost as you turn it up. It can reduce treble to make it sound more laid back when you crank it up.

Limiters can be useful at home. I use it to protect my main amp which is a bit lacking in power. It tames the peaks and reduces concern when I push things.

Forget those graphic eq units, I would go ultracurve, it is very powerful. It can do quite a bit more than I've mentioned here.

The EP2500 amp is a great buy. I would not consider another amp for subs. Excellent value.