Van Alstine makes the R2X converter (active) if you want to convert. The Absolute Sound noted no signal degradation with its use. I use one to go from single ended preamp to mono blocks that only have XLR inputs.
I was getting noise even with short unbalanced cables. Upgrading to balanced amps with XLR inputs completely eliminated the noise problem. When I convert my system from a 7.2 surround sound to a 2-channel line array, I'll just skip the preamp and get a DAC with a volume control.
Start by getting a good set of RCA's, if you've got hum, its in the cables, or connections, or how you've ran the signal RCA and high voltage wiring together. Rarely is it an outside interference. Audioquest makes good cables, so does Blue Jean Cable. I'm using a set of Blue Jean RCA Cable LC-1s that are 20 feet long without any noise or hum issue. My preamp is a McIntosh MX-117 (RCA only) connected to a McIntosh MC-452 (RCA & XLR). The reason I choose the Blue Jean Cable over the Audioquest Cable is that the Blue Jean has a lower capacitance per foot value (which effects the cables upper frequencies rolling off). In addition, Blue Jean offers a good value for their products. Good Listening!
@@ayamaprantenna Yes, but a passive RCA to XLR ADAPTER won't do much, because it's just using 2 wires. The "negative" isn't being used. I had to use an adapter for my DAC's XLR output to the receiver's RCA inputs. When I upgraded to pre-amp with XLR, I started using the XLR, for the reasons you've mentioned (XLR to XLR cable, no adapter)
I agree with Paul. But: You may try a pair of Lundahl LL7904 line transformers. The bandwith goes up to 150 kcps. The Lundahls like to see a load of 10 kohms - and be sure to have a preamp output inpedance of about 150 ohms when primary windings are used in parallel ...
I use a seven metre pair of Wireworld Silver Eclipse RCA interconnect between my Manley Labs Steelhead preamp and Manley Labs Neo-classic 250w monoblock power amps. Even on full gain I get no discernable noise. Go for unbalanced it works with a really good cable. Wasn't cheap though. Pity though, all gear nowadays should have balanced connections, it would have been a lot cheaper for me.
Everyones missing the point..if the amps are xlr input and the preamp is rca out.. you have a problem..1 if you shield the -input of the xlr cable it will take the rca signal just fine with 2 issues.1 it nolonger cancels the noise.and 2 its half the voltage swing.. next if you get an Art clean box You now stay noise free and keep the larger voltage swing but..I agree Your introducing another stage into the chain..possibly a buffer transformer.that will narrow the bandwidth and degrade the signal..ive yet to find any amp with both rca and xlr that sounds as good using the rca input..the crown drivecore amps sound terrible with rca input..Ill add the best amp i know of with rca and xlr input is the amp I hand made at rockford fosgate..some were badged hafler..
At first I thought you were speaking about rca to xlr cables that’s what I did and it was noticeable difference in the sound but it was a 6ft cables so a short run in my entertainment center as I have power cables, running to tv and other equipment so it’s a jumbled mess gotta clean it up 😂
I learned my lesson a long time ago I will not buy any audio electronics without XLR inputs or outputs long or short runs it doesn’t matter rca runs make noise,period
Just run some Monoprice monolith RCA cables. I'll bet any money it'll sound just fine. Paul... not a big fan of plinius? Maybe back in the day? When's the last time you heard a plinius product? Be honest.
Balanced interconnects involve more components possibly costing some signal integrity. Better is to keep the cables short and use RCA assuming engineering is done well on those RCA outputs and inputs.
I’m pretty sure the Cardas thing he’s talking about is simply a XLR to RCA adapter that shunts the negative phase to ground. That doesn’t create a balanced connection. By the way, George Cardas retired years ago. Angela and Josh run the show now.
Agreed, stay with the RCA. In a low rf environment you can sometimes run them 100+ feet without issue. I think the biggest issue he "might/could possibly" run into is having the amplifier possibly plugged into a different circuit then the preamp rack. I guess he'll find out if he gets a ground loop 60hz hum or not.
Ha, ha! Have ALL PS Audio gear, but NO preamp! CD Xport to DAC, I2S cable! Quality XLR AudioQuest cables! Now! The quality of the, "source:" How well ~ mastered the CD is {incl SACD} is very important! Enthralled by how clear the sound is in frequently heretofore unheard STEREO Masters of vintage material from the 60's, 70's, 80's, and in some cases, even 1950's!
Van Alstine makes the R2X converter (active) if you want to convert. The Absolute Sound noted no signal degradation with its use. I use one to go from single ended preamp to mono blocks that only have XLR inputs.
Why not move the preamp next to the power amp?
Another Bronx Cheer here!
Please explain that conference room table, really interesting..
I was getting noise even with short unbalanced cables. Upgrading to balanced amps with XLR inputs completely eliminated the noise problem. When I convert my system from a 7.2 surround sound to a 2-channel line array, I'll just skip the preamp and get a DAC with a volume control.
Start by getting a good set of RCA's, if you've got hum, its in the cables, or connections, or how you've ran the signal RCA and high voltage wiring together. Rarely is it an outside interference. Audioquest makes good cables, so does Blue Jean Cable. I'm using a set of Blue Jean RCA Cable LC-1s that are 20 feet long without any noise or hum issue. My preamp is a McIntosh MX-117 (RCA only) connected to a McIntosh MC-452 (RCA & XLR). The reason I choose the Blue Jean Cable over the Audioquest Cable is that the Blue Jean has a lower capacitance per foot value (which effects the cables upper frequencies rolling off). In addition, Blue Jean offers a good value for their products. Good Listening!
As always, don't worry about capacitance, go with what SOUNDS better in your system.
The Cardas adapter won't make a difference. It will still use only 2 wires: Live and neutral, it won't "create" balanced signal
@@ayamaprantenna Yes, but a passive RCA to XLR ADAPTER won't do much, because it's just using 2 wires. The "negative" isn't being used.
I had to use an adapter for my DAC's XLR output to the receiver's RCA inputs.
When I upgraded to pre-amp with XLR, I started using the XLR, for the reasons you've mentioned (XLR to XLR cable, no adapter)
What about using a transformer such as a Sowter or Lindhal to convert?
I agree with Paul. But: You may try a pair of Lundahl LL7904 line transformers. The bandwith goes up to 150 kcps. The Lundahls like to see a load of 10 kohms - and be sure to have a preamp output inpedance of about 150 ohms when primary windings are used in parallel ...
I use a seven metre pair of Wireworld Silver Eclipse RCA interconnect between my Manley Labs Steelhead preamp and Manley Labs Neo-classic 250w monoblock power amps. Even on full gain I get no discernable noise. Go for unbalanced it works with a really good cable. Wasn't cheap though.
Pity though, all gear nowadays should have balanced connections, it would have been a lot cheaper for me.
Longer speaker wires would be my solution...move the amps closer.
Might this person try running grounded and shielded RCA? Or running the RCA cables in a grounded metal channel/conduit?
I got static using xlr to rca adapter cables from my Bluetooth to preamp, is that to be expected?
Everyones missing the point..if the amps are xlr input and the preamp is rca out.. you have a problem..1 if you shield the -input of the xlr cable it will take the rca signal just fine with 2 issues.1 it nolonger cancels the noise.and 2 its half the voltage swing.. next if you get an Art clean box You now stay noise free and keep the larger voltage swing but..I agree Your introducing another stage into the chain..possibly a buffer transformer.that will narrow the bandwidth and degrade the signal..ive yet to find any amp with both rca and xlr that sounds as good using the rca input..the crown drivecore amps sound terrible with rca input..Ill add the best amp i know of with rca and xlr input is the amp I hand made at rockford fosgate..some were badged hafler..
At first I thought you were speaking about rca to xlr cables that’s what I did and it was noticeable difference in the sound but it was a 6ft cables so a short run in my entertainment center as I have power cables, running to tv and other equipment so it’s a jumbled mess gotta clean it up 😂
Or simply run Neutrik RCA to Neutrik XLR with starquad cable in a psuedo balanced configuration.
I learned my lesson a long time ago I will not buy any audio electronics without XLR inputs or outputs long or short runs it doesn’t matter rca runs make noise,period
Use sonifex redbox or fostex 5030 line amplifier, the best option ever😊
Just run some Monoprice monolith RCA cables. I'll bet any money it'll sound just fine. Paul... not a big fan of plinius? Maybe back in the day? When's the last time you heard a plinius product? Be honest.
Balanced interconnects involve more components possibly costing some signal integrity. Better is to keep the cables short and use RCA assuming engineering is done well on those RCA outputs and inputs.
I’m pretty sure the Cardas thing he’s talking about is simply a XLR to RCA adapter that shunts the negative phase to ground. That doesn’t create a balanced connection.
By the way, George Cardas retired years ago. Angela and Josh run the show now.
Good Morning from Germany
Agreed, stay with the RCA. In a low rf environment you can sometimes run them 100+ feet without issue. I think the biggest issue he "might/could possibly" run into is having the amplifier possibly plugged into a different circuit then the preamp rack. I guess he'll find out if he gets a ground loop 60hz hum or not.
Ha, ha! Have ALL PS Audio gear, but NO preamp! CD Xport to DAC, I2S cable! Quality XLR AudioQuest cables! Now! The quality of the, "source:" How well ~ mastered the CD is {incl SACD} is very important! Enthralled by how clear the sound is in frequently heretofore unheard STEREO Masters of vintage material from the 60's, 70's, 80's, and in some cases, even 1950's!
Good morning from Poland
Dzień dobry z Irlandii 😁
RCA's run at 2V, the XLR inputs on his amplifier need 4V to achieve high volumes. Buying over priced Audio Quest RCA's will achieve nothing.
Get some audiophile balanced cable lifters with oil dampened suspension.
Hydropneumatic suspension works well on Citroens.
Until it starts leaking!
@@nk-gp1ml Yep, in fact, these suspensions are the best ever invented ...
Get some Nordost XLR, like me, and you will happy for the rest of your life. 😁
Which will be short because you have no money left for food 😂
@@atomicinv2 *LOL*