Hi everyone, I have a preamp that has an unbalaned output and the newly arrived monoblocks demand balanced inputs.
I tried anyway. I checked and double checked everything, there is no sound.
Is this what is to be expected?
Obviously I’m now in the market for a balanced valve preamp? $$$$$$🙈
I tried anyway. I checked and double checked everything, there is no sound.
Is this what is to be expected?
Obviously I’m now in the market for a balanced valve preamp? $$$$$$🙈
Look for balancer with trafos
Audio Transformers • Problem solvers • Lundahl Transformers
Walter
Audio Transformers • Problem solvers • Lundahl Transformers
Walter
No, you can't use simple RCA style cabling between the preamp you currently own and the new monoblocks that have balanced I/Ps.
The Lundahl device Walter pointed at requires an adapter that connects a 3.5 mm. miniature stereo phone plug to twin RCA plugs.
Even with the correct cabling, you might not be clear of trouble. What sort of O/P impedance does the preamp you currently employ exhibit? You can bank on the Lundahl device containing transformers. Those transformers should be driven by a low impedance source. Tell us about your current preamp.
Obviously, this is a DIY oriented "board". If you have DIY skills, you can construct what you need. A pair of something like Sowter's Model 3603 would be central to what's constructed. Again, a low driving impedance is in order.
The Lundahl device Walter pointed at requires an adapter that connects a 3.5 mm. miniature stereo phone plug to twin RCA plugs.
Even with the correct cabling, you might not be clear of trouble. What sort of O/P impedance does the preamp you currently employ exhibit? You can bank on the Lundahl device containing transformers. Those transformers should be driven by a low impedance source. Tell us about your current preamp.
Obviously, this is a DIY oriented "board". If you have DIY skills, you can construct what you need. A pair of something like Sowter's Model 3603 would be central to what's constructed. Again, a low driving impedance is in order.
210ref,
Are you using an ARC REF210 as your handle suggests?
If you are DIY capable or know someone who is, make up a cable as such: RCA centre pin to XLR male pin 2. RCA outer shell to XLR pins 1 and 3. Works in a pinch and my Ref110 doesn't seem to suffer much sonically.
Ultimately, you'll like want a balanced pre as well. On the rare occasion that I want to use my Ref3 to drive a non-balanced input amp (the SQ of Ref3 suffers noticeably driving through its RCA outputs) I have a pair of Souter 3675 trannies. The Ref3 seems quite happy driving these as long as the input impedance of the power amp is 25K ohms or higher.
Steve
Are you using an ARC REF210 as your handle suggests?
If you are DIY capable or know someone who is, make up a cable as such: RCA centre pin to XLR male pin 2. RCA outer shell to XLR pins 1 and 3. Works in a pinch and my Ref110 doesn't seem to suffer much sonically.
Ultimately, you'll like want a balanced pre as well. On the rare occasion that I want to use my Ref3 to drive a non-balanced input amp (the SQ of Ref3 suffers noticeably driving through its RCA outputs) I have a pair of Souter 3675 trannies. The Ref3 seems quite happy driving these as long as the input impedance of the power amp is 25K ohms or higher.
Steve
The first preamp I built was a single-ended output, so I had to make an RCA to XLR cable in order to use it with my MC650 which has a balanced input.
Pin 2 goes to the center conductor on the RCA connector, pins 1 and 3 are tied to the shield of the RCA connector.
To do things properly, I'd suggest getting some Jensen transformers. Jensen sells boxes that do exactly what you need, but you can save a fair bit by building it yourself. This can also be accomplished with some op-amps. If designed well, this will be lower distortion than the xformers and will have nearly zero impact on the sound.
Building a balanced preamp with excellent performance isn't too difficult, so that may be something you want to look into.
Pin 2 goes to the center conductor on the RCA connector, pins 1 and 3 are tied to the shield of the RCA connector.
To do things properly, I'd suggest getting some Jensen transformers. Jensen sells boxes that do exactly what you need, but you can save a fair bit by building it yourself. This can also be accomplished with some op-amps. If designed well, this will be lower distortion than the xformers and will have nearly zero impact on the sound.
Building a balanced preamp with excellent performance isn't too difficult, so that may be something you want to look into.
Yup, that makes sense... In reality, you'd just use: TISINO Female RCA to XLR Male Adapter, XLR to RCA Converter Gender Changer Audio Coupler Connector - 2 Pack: Amazon.ca: Cell Phones & Accessories
The low cost, direct wired, solutions entail the risk of a ground loop. Remember, lots of equipment employs 3 wire, safety grounded, power cabling. The safety grounds can form part of a ground loop that incorporates domestic wiring. While more costly, properly wired transformer based solutions are guaranteed to be ground loop free.
Thanks Steve, the Sonos converters I am borrowing might achieve this? I am going try the Selby box first as it gets here tomorrow. Yes ARC 210 ref monos, back in the day AR used to sell convertor boxes!
210,
If memory serves, the PL Prologue will have a fairly high O/P impedance, especially at low freq. It might not drive transformers acceptably. Try some adapters/adapter cables. In the end you'll want a REF line stage to get the most from your system. I got my REF 3 about 10 years ago. When the REF 5 came out a few people traded their 3s in on 5s. The local, well 60 miles away, dealer had two REF 3s for sale. At less than 50 cents on the dollar compared to new it was a no brainer choice. My REF 3 and REF 110 will se me out. DIY is just for fun.
Cheers, Steve
If memory serves, the PL Prologue will have a fairly high O/P impedance, especially at low freq. It might not drive transformers acceptably. Try some adapters/adapter cables. In the end you'll want a REF line stage to get the most from your system. I got my REF 3 about 10 years ago. When the REF 5 came out a few people traded their 3s in on 5s. The local, well 60 miles away, dealer had two REF 3s for sale. At less than 50 cents on the dollar compared to new it was a no brainer choice. My REF 3 and REF 110 will se me out. DIY is just for fun.
Cheers, Steve
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