XLR to RCA Adapter

[agencal]

Hi,
My new goldmund telios 690 amp does not have Xlr inputs and my new mola mola dac does not have rca outputs. I have a few reference grafe xlr cables which i am very happy to use. Which one is better?
1. Use xlr cable at the output of dac and use a xlr to rca adapter and go in to inğut of amp
2. Use a xlr to rca adapter on my dac out, by a new rca cable and go to amp’s rca input?
Sould i wait a quality loss in any of these? Any adapter brand/model that will have less deop in signal quality?
Thanks

 

[djbnh]

I'm a very satisfied Tambaqui owner, albeit one who runs the Mola Mola, my preamp, and my amp in a balanced configuration. That being said, the Tambaqui comes equipped with XLR/RCA adaptors, so you could use those with RCA cables into your integrated amp - no need to purchase adaptors but you would need new RCA cables which could quickly become expensive.

Per the Positive Feedback review, "The Tambaqui natively supports balanced XLR outputs. Also provided with the unit are a pair of XLR-to-RCA adapters. These adapters are specially designed and made for the Tambaqui and are engineered to provide the best possible conversion from a balanced signal to an unbalanced signal."

Perhaps a better way to go about things is if you are happy with, and want to keep your existing XLR cables, Moon Audio and others sell XLR to RCA adaptors - just make sure to choose the right configuration for your needs. Thus, you could use your existing XLR cables at the Tambaqui side, and the adaptors on the integrated amp side.

Best of luck in choosing your adaptors or cables. And enjoy your new integrated amp along with the Mola Mola DAC!

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Per the Positive Feedback review, "The Tambaqui natively supports balanced XLR outputs. Also provided with the unit are a pair of XLR-to-RCA adapters. These adapters are specially designed and made for the Tambaqui and are engineered to provide the best possible conversion from a balanced signal to an unbalanced signal."

Considering that "converting" consists of nothing more than making the proper wiring, I doubt that these can be different from the generic Neutrik adapters. There's really nothing that can possibly be specially designed.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Use a twisted pair cable with seperate shield( xlr) add to the end cable a xlr to rca male adapter.
This way you get part of the benefit of the interference protection (balanced) over the length of the cable against interference from outside.
Exsample

 

[Chrisl]

I've had to use these recently on my Microzotyl pre. I now have a nasty low volume buzz/noise now. I need to buy a balanced preamp

 

[Kal Rubinson]

I've had to use these recently on my Microzotyl pre. I now have a nasty low volume buzz/noise now. I need to buy a balanced preamp

Which ones? Not all will be wired appropriately.

 

[Chrisl]

Which ones? Not all will be wired appropriately.

Neutrik brand Kal.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Neutrik brand Kal.

They are all appropriately wired according to IEC 268-12 for XLR-to-RCA:
Pin 2: signal
Pin 1 and 3: connected to ground
However, some balanced outputs may not tolerate grounding of Pin 3.

I am unfamilar with the Microzotyl pre.

 

[djbnh]

Considering that "converting" consists of nothing more than making the proper wiring, I doubt that these can be different from the generic Neutrik adapters. There's really nothing that can possibly be specially designed.

For the original poster, the Neutrix PN is NA2FPMF. Looks like Mouser carries them. Here's the Neutrix related information link.

 

[DaveC]

They are all appropriately wired according to IEC 268-12 for XLR-to-RCA:
Pin 2: signal
Pin 1 and 3: connected to ground
However, some balanced outputs may not tolerate grounding of Pin 3.

This is correct.

The best way to do this is really with a trafo but it's not inexpensive and if not incorporated into a chassis will require it's own chassis and in/out wiring which is also not ideal.

Without modifying a component by adding a trafo, the best way to do this is to use a resistor between pin3 and ground that has the same value as the receiving component's input impedance so both legs of the balanced out are loaded equally. So the cable will be specific to the receiving component, but changing the resistor may not be a big deal for some.

 

[kleinbje]

In my system the sound was improved significantly when switching the stock Tabaqui xls adapters for the higher end Cardas. I was dubious, given all the blurbs in the reviews about how Mola found their included adapter the best. I have a pair for sale Not letting the Cardas go.

 

[treitz3]

Adapters to me (based upon experience) are the devil to audio.

Tom

 

[Young Skywalker]

Transformers are indeed the optimum method as per the MSB Technology website:

“We use external transformers to properly convert a balanced signal to a single-ended output. Transformers can add unwanted magnetic and sonic variations to the sensitive analog components in the output stage of a DAC. Having these transformers in close proximity can also add to unwanted signal cross-talk. This is why we have moved the conversion away from the output stage of the DAC and into a sleek inline unit. Now the signal of your DAC can stay balanced until it is ready to be converted closer to the amplifier and farther from the sensitive analog circuitry of your DAC and preamp.“

 

[Sablon Audio]

The best solution from a sonic perspective would be to have your preferred xlr interconnect reterminated with an rca plug at the amplifier end. No losses from additional components in the signal path.

 

[Chrisl]

The best solution from a sonic perspective would be to have your preferred xlr interconnect reterminated with an rca plug at the amplifier end. No losses from additional components in the signal path.

Is there any downsides to doing this?

 

[Sablon Audio]

Only resale related

 

[DaveC]

Is there any downsides to doing this?

A high quality trafo is considered the best way to do this and it's nearly unanimous in the industry. Adapters or simply putting a RCA plug on an XLR cable has two potential issues:

- You won't get the noise-rejection balanced cables offer.

- Unless you use a resistor from pin3 to ground with the same value as the component's input impedance, one leg of the balanced output will be loaded differently than the other. I've seen amps and adapters that either directly ground pin3 or leave it floating, I don't believe this is ideal.

These things may or may not matter depending on the particulars.

 

[Sablon Audio]

Try both, see which you feel sounds better. I’ve never been a fan of low level signal transformers as I feel they roll off hf air and dampen the emotional engagement.

 

[Kingrex]

Try both, see which you feel sounds better. I’ve never been a fan of low level signal transformers as I feel they roll off hf air and dampen the emotional engagement.

My amps are transformer input. I was told its superior to a Capacitor.

And what about SUT in a phono signal?

Does a high quality transformer really role off the highs?

 

[Sablon Audio]

And what about SUT in a phono signal?

Does a high quality transformer really role off the highs?

I don’t have any experience of SUT, so can’t opine here. My view was formed with line level applications - have had three TVCs of varying price points and a high end interstage traffo 300b amp. They all exhibited a flat lifeless presentation with varying degrees of hf roll off. Perhaps unsurprising given how they put tens of metres of, often, mediocre copper into the signal path.