cliveb;345904 Wrote: > I agree that a transformer is a pretty foolproof way of getting it > right. But a transformer that doesn't unacceptably degrade the sound > costs a lot of money (like $50+ per channel). Meanwhile, in the context > of domestic audio systems (where virtually all sources have a low output > impedance, loads have a high input impedance, and cable runs are > relatively short), an appropriately wired cable is much cheaper and > performs better. > > > Hmmm. That article states that transformer isolation is the "best" way > to connect unbalanced to balanced. My view is that they are playing > safe. They know that doing it this way will work in pretty much all > situations, including pro-audio installations with long cable runs and > genuine 600ohm terminations. > > In domestic audio, if you are prepared to get the cabling right, > there's no need for transformers. You will notice that the recommended > cable topology for connecting an RCA output to an XLR input without > using a transformer (#17 in the Rane article) is exactly as I described > earlier.
Oh - I didn't disagree with anything you said!. I'm more used to a world with 600 ohm terminations and long cable runs. I agree in domestic situations your proposed solution will work just fine. The OP is planning to use "pro audio" monitors designed exclusively for studio nearfield and which are only provided with a balanced input which makes sense in the context of the gear they are likely to be connected to. "semi-pro" gear would probably offer achoice of balanced or unbalanced - although I'm willing to bet they would implement the unbalanced option by bypassing the differential input stage (unlikely to be a fully balanced design all the way through...) Which does raise the question about levels, since pro gear is meant to operate at +4dB not -10dB or even -20dB... Regards Phil -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal...SB3+Stontronics PSU - Altmann JISCO/UPCI - TACT RCS 2.2X + Good Vibrations S/W - MF Triplethreat(Audiocom full mods)- Linn 5103 - Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Kimber & Chord cables Outdoors: Boombox+Creative Sub (If I remember to turn it on...) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=53262 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
