I want to use 2 of the outputs from my ADAU1701 board to send a signal to my sub via RCA cables. What do I do with the 3 leads from the board vs the 2 connections on the RCA terminal?
If connecting a balanced output to an unbalanced input, the general rule is to leave the -ve polarity output floating.
Does this basically mean to tie the - and ground terminals together? That is what I'm seeing to do with an XLR to RCA connection.
I meant not to use the (-) output at all, just (+) and GND.
It all depends on the type of balanced output. Tying the (-) to ground on some designs can cause the output to distort at lower levels or, in some cases, not work at all.
I'm not familiar with your board, so check out the information in this link:
https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/balanced-outputs-connected-unbalanced-inputs/#:~:text=Therefore when you are connecting balanced outputs to,is to leave the (-) polarity pin floating.
It all depends on the type of balanced output. Tying the (-) to ground on some designs can cause the output to distort at lower levels or, in some cases, not work at all.
I'm not familiar with your board, so check out the information in this link:
https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/balanced-outputs-connected-unbalanced-inputs/#:~:text=Therefore when you are connecting balanced outputs to,is to leave the (-) polarity pin floating.
No! that rule is for inputs. As Galu said, depending on the output circuit shorting - & GND can work or not.
Test both configurations & listen for distortion.
P.S. My information is correct for electronically balanced outputs.
If the output has a transformer then you MUST tie the (-) to the shield.
If the output has a transformer then you MUST tie the (-) to the shield.
What Galu said but in any case, testing takes all of 2 minutes.
We call them balanced outs and in most cases (specially as far as external interference resistance) they work as such, but if you "lift the hood" , the "engine" inside is 2 standard unbalanced signal outs, referred to ground, but driven out of phase.
So not likey shorting one of them to ground, for no good purpose,simply use one of them as single unbalanced source,leave the other one open.
Open as in: connected to nothing, specially not Ground.
We call them balanced outs and in most cases (specially as far as external interference resistance) they work as such, but if you "lift the hood" , the "engine" inside is 2 standard unbalanced signal outs, referred to ground, but driven out of phase.
So not likey shorting one of them to ground, for no good purpose,simply use one of them as single unbalanced source,leave the other one open.
Open as in: connected to nothing, specially not Ground.