XLR to RCA cables

Discussion in 'Modifications and Tweaks' started by Garns, Apr 6, 2017.

  1. Mshenay

    Mshenay Barred from loaner program. DON'T SEND ME GEAR.

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    Good to hear, every one's feed back one how much of a difference the cables made
     
  2. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    Wanted to post an update: I got the XLR -> RCA cables from Redco. Been using them for a week or two. If there are changes, they are very slight, maybe a bit blacker background, not sure. For $24 though, I can't complain.

    Not noticing a hum from the Gungnir Multibit that I can tell. Hope everything is alright, don't want to blow up the transformers in my dac.
     
  3. NekoAudio

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    Maybe try finding a cable that ties pin 3 to ground? If the internals are trying to reference pin 2 to pin 3, and pin 3 is floating, it might be unhappy.
     
  4. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    Hi. I’m trying to do a rca to balanced cable, and have found multiple explanations about letting the 3 pin floating or not.
    Can someone give a solid advice?P
    Thanks
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2018
  5. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    This is how i do it with a 2 core shielded cable. From xlr pin 2 goes to centre pin on the rca, pin 3 goes to the shield on the rca, pin 1(shield/ground on the xlr) is only connected on the xlr side thus floating. If you have a single core + shield cable then don't connect pin1 on the xlr at all.
     
  6. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    So if I decide to use mogami 3173, I will do the
    i think I did connected 1 and 3 to rca shield. Using mogami 3173.
    Maybe I should make the cable again? Sorry I’m a noobie here
     
  7. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Well that is one way to do it, but i prefer to leave the shield floating like i said. Other people might have different opinions.
     
  8. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    The answer is highly dependent on the two devices you are attempting to connect. It also depends on whether you are going from XLR to RCA or from RCA to XLR. Circuit topology of the balanced side should be considered.

    If both devices have a ground connection back to power mains earth, then XLR pin 2 to RCA center, pin 3 to RCA shield and XLR pin 1 floating is likely to result in lowest noise. If one of the devices ground is floating with respect to power mains earth (eg: two wire wall wart power supply to device) then connecting XLR pins 1 and 3 might result in lowest noise for unbalanced output to balanced input. If going balanced output to unbalanced input then the balanced output topology must be considered or a short circuit between active balanced output pin 3 to ground may occur, which will at least increase distortion and possibly let the magic smoke out of the output device.

    Easiest way to avoid all the above is to use a quality audio isolation transformer such as Jensen ISO-MAX. Of course this introduces the issues of a transformer in the audio path. Some prefer having such, others want the least amount of components in the path. In live sound events I'll take any slight coloration over hum and noise every time.
     

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