I couldn't find a thread on this, but if there is one, please do post the link.
As the title says, I'd like to know if it's possible (or feasible) to turn two stereo preamps (4 channels) into one fully differential stereo preamp (2 channels).
And if it is, would that be as simple as splitting one channel of the balanced source signal's + and - into the left and right channels' signal path on one single ended preamp and linking the grounds? (to make one channel of a balanced preamp)
So you'd end up with two balanced mono preamps with a volume control each.
Impedance issues?
Forgive me as my knowledge of electronics is only rudimentary. And I hope I explained that clearly.
Mladen
As the title says, I'd like to know if it's possible (or feasible) to turn two stereo preamps (4 channels) into one fully differential stereo preamp (2 channels).
And if it is, would that be as simple as splitting one channel of the balanced source signal's + and - into the left and right channels' signal path on one single ended preamp and linking the grounds? (to make one channel of a balanced preamp)
So you'd end up with two balanced mono preamps with a volume control each.
Impedance issues?
Forgive me as my knowledge of electronics is only rudimentary. And I hope I explained that clearly.
Mladen
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The idea is sound. How well it works will depend on the actual equipment.
Not sure what you mean by 'linking the grounds'. A balanced signal has no ground reference; the XLR pin 1 (if that is how it is set up) is there to connect to chassis for safety but the two signals just go to the two preamp inputs.
The signal references and ground should be already present in the preamp; messing around with signal grounds might very well make things worse.
Jan
Not sure what you mean by 'linking the grounds'. A balanced signal has no ground reference; the XLR pin 1 (if that is how it is set up) is there to connect to chassis for safety but the two signals just go to the two preamp inputs.
The signal references and ground should be already present in the preamp; messing around with signal grounds might very well make things worse.
Jan
This is how I did it with Salas DCG3. It can't work as a differential preamp i.e. take SE input and deliver balanced output. It's just four channels for SE in/out with RCA or BAL in/out with XLR. Input XLR 'pin 1' is signal ground. It cant't go to chassis. But I have output XLR 'pin 1' to chassis to drive differential amps. I was worried about how current circulates -through chassis?- but it works even with headphones wired in balanced mode. Clear sound and also louder than SE, as expected from balanced signal. Conclusively, you can drive diff amps this way. It's just that you can't have CMRR at the input.
Attachments
Yeah that happens a lot, people are often confused with balanced signals. Just hope for the best.
Jan
Yes, pin1 should be attached to chassis in diff amps. I just tried to make it work with a SE design.
What I meant by linking the grounds was splitting XLR pin1 to the center connector on the RCAs. And now I see that would be a bad idea.
I guess I need to learn more about grounding. So XLR ground is supposed to be connected to the chassis. And the XLR + and - would just be going to the RCA signal input and nothing connected to signal ground?
Also, I'm looking to go full differential from dac out to amp out, so if that circuit in the diagram can only be used single ended it kinda defeats the purpose.
I guess I need to learn more about grounding. So XLR ground is supposed to be connected to the chassis. And the XLR + and - would just be going to the RCA signal input and nothing connected to signal ground?
Also, I'm looking to go full differential from dac out to amp out, so if that circuit in the diagram can only be used single ended it kinda defeats the purpose.
What I meant by linking the grounds was splitting XLR pin1 to the center connector on the RCAs. And now I see that would be a bad idea.
I guess I need to learn more about grounding. So XLR ground is supposed to be connected to the chassis. And the XLR + and - would just be going to the RCA signal input and nothing connected to signal ground?
Also, I'm looking to go full differential from dac out to amp out, so if that circuit in the diagram can only be used single ended it kinda defeats the purpose.
I guess I need to learn more about grounding. So XLR ground is supposed to be connected to the chassis. And the XLR + and - would just be going to the RCA signal input and nothing connected to signal ground?
Also, I'm looking to go full differential from dac out to amp out, so if that circuit in the diagram can only be used single ended it kinda defeats the purpose.
Thanks!
Not sure why or how my last message posted twice. I think I was asleep by that time.
That's just strange
Not sure why or how my last message posted twice. I think I was asleep by that time.
That's just strange
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