Transformer Coupled Outputs

[cjfrbw]

My understanding of the various methods of "balanced" output would be two identical, redundant complete circuits to achieve the balance, transformer coupled output, or some kind of op amp to invert the circuit at the output. Of the three, maybe the "truly balanced" duplicated circuit might be the "best", but transformer coupling would be next best, and least best would be some kind of add on signal inversion.

For people who like the sound of transformer outputs, that would make the transformer balanced solution, if you MUST have balanced inputs and outputs, the most pragmatic, as well.

I went all balanced once. Another one of those "long run, short slide" scenarios, and since then, I could give a rat's ass about the so called virtues of balanced circuits in audio. You may double the signal voltage, but the cable runs just aren't long enough to justify the ostensible "noise reduction" advantages over the cumbersome additional circuitry, especially if you employ some kind of op amp inversion to get the balanced output.

 

[Andre Marc]

My understanding of the various methods of "balanced" output would be two identical, redundant complete circuits to achieve the balance, transformer coupled output, or some kind of op amp to invert the circuit at the output. Of the three, maybe the "truly balanced" duplicated circuit might be the "best", but transformer coupling would be next best, and least best would be some kind of add on signal inversion.

For people who like the sound of transformer outputs, that would make the transformer balanced solution, if you MUST have balanced inputs and outputs, the most pragmatic, as well.

I went all balanced once. Another one of those "long run, short slide" scenarios, and since then, I could give a rat's ass about the so called virtues of balanced circuits in audio. You may double the signal voltage, but the cable runs just aren't long enough to justify the ostensible "noise reduction" advantages over the cumbersome additional circuitry, especially if you employ some kind of op amp inversion to get the balanced output.

Agree totally.

 

[jfrech]

My understanding of the various methods of "balanced" output would be two identical, redundant complete circuits to achieve the balance, transformer coupled output, or some kind of op amp to invert the circuit at the output. Of the three, maybe the "truly balanced" duplicated circuit might be the "best", but transformer coupling would be next best, and least best would be some kind of add on signal inversion.

For people who like the sound of transformer outputs, that would make the transformer balanced solution, if you MUST have balanced inputs and outputs, the most pragmatic, as well.

I went all balanced once. Another one of those "long run, short slide" scenarios, and since then, I could give a rat's ass about the so called virtues of balanced circuits in audio. You may double the signal voltage, but the cable runs just aren't long enough to justify the ostensible "noise reduction" advantages over the cumbersome additional circuitry, especially if you employ some kind of op amp inversion to get the balanced output.

I to bought in whole hog to the balanced approach. Used fully balanced from cartridge clips...to speaker terminals. (BAT VKP10SE, VK51SE, VK150SE & Purist XLR cabling) I had a dealer tell me...you should really try this single ended phono stage...I was SO skeptical. Put it off for months. He finally brought it by one day...it was sold the next day and I've had it for 6 years now (Nagra VPS with VFS platform)

My guess if the two phases of balanced are not PERFECTLY in synch, then the merits of balancing fall off fast. This synching is hard to do in tubes with the slight differences in the dual triodes and in solid state to just matching the devices closely...I am NOT a electrical engineer so maybe I don't have real clue here....

 

[egidius]

Hi , I have not heard the Berning , so cannot comment . It does have a strong following though . Maybe you could tell us how it sounds in your set-up.

Specifically to Transformers or not, I could not say anything; but as to sound..

I have currently three preamp solutions; an Audiopax M5 SE, a Berning ZOTL pre and an Audio Consulting silver rock TVA, you could consider that the inspiration for the Music First Passive, if you don't mind opening a Pandoras box, which I do, so I won't

The Audiopax is slower than the Berning, but has got an array of colours that is really amzing, so beautiful. The Berning seems elegant (thats the word that strikes me most when listening to that system). The Berning has an outstanding phono section!!
The Audio Consulting I use strictly in conjunction with the Wadia S7i, which allows me a perfect version of laziness (you can use the Volume control of the Wadia) and sound (the Wadia is always running at around 95-100%, I cannot hear a degradation in those values..
But when I listen critically, I would say, the silver rock TVA allows for the best low level listening i have come across!!

 

[DonH50]

OK, thanks. I last looked hard at ARC around the SP6, maybe early SP10 era. Fully-differential requires twice the tubes and I had not seen that. I am surprised so many are fully-balanced now. (Note adding an inverter at the end die not imply fully-balanced throughout).