craig10 Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 (edited) I've done a little reading on the subject but my brain has somewhat overloaded and malfunctioned so I'm hoping someone here can give provide me with a simple answer. I have a phono stage with an unbalanced output that I want to connect to a balanced input on a preamp that I recently purchased (it's an all balanced pre). Should I use an RCA cable with an XLR Male to RCA Female adapter plugged in at the preamp end (like the ones EGM sell https://www.egmaudio.com.au/product-category/hi-fi-audio-connectors/xlr-rca-terminals-adapters/ ) or, an XLR cable with an XLR male to RCA Male adapter plugged in at the phono stage end? Is one way better than the other or should I get a different cable all together, one that is maybe "built for purpose"? Edited January 17, 2021 by craig10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlr8or Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 If it's a fully balanced XLR connection and not floating at the preamp end and the possible upgrade path may consider a fully balanced phono stage in the future then an XLR IC is recommended with the RCA adapter at the phono stage. If the balanced connection at the preamp end is floating then an RCA IC with XLR adapter would probably be best. Can you share the brand/model of preamp and phono stage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig10 Posted January 16, 2021 Author Share Posted January 16, 2021 6 minutes ago, xlr8or said: If it's a fully balanced XLR connection and not floating at the preamp end and the possible upgrade path may consider a fully balanced phono stage in the future then an XLR IC is recommended with the RCA adapter at the phono stage. If the balanced connection at the preamp end is floating then an RCA IC with XLR adapter would probably be best. Can you share the brand/model of preamp and phono stage? Thanks Kirk. The phono stage is a PureAudo LV-1 and the preamp a Burson Conductor 3x Reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoveD Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 On 16/01/2021 at 8:52 PM, craig10 said: Should I use an RCA cable with an XLR Male to RCA Female adapter plugged in at the preamp end (like the ones EGM sell Perhaps you would like to check out this thread? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill125812 Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 Why not just use an xlr to rca cable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig10 Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share Posted January 21, 2021 2 hours ago, MoveD said: Perhaps you would like to check out this thread? Thanks. Don't know how I missed it. Interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig10 Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share Posted January 21, 2021 2 hours ago, Bill125812 said: Why not just use an xlr to rca cable Definitely considering it. The only thing is that I'm rather fond of the cables that I have. Question is would the EGM adapter I'm considering detract at all from the sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill125812 Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 9 minutes ago, craig10 said: Definitely considering it. The only thing is that I'm rather fond of the cables that I have. Question is would the EGM adapter I'm considering detract at all from the sound. No idea. Never used one. Always just used a xlr to rca cable. So I can’t really comment on the product Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal beat Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 28 minutes ago, craig10 said: Definitely considering it. The only thing is that I'm rather fond of the cables that I have. Question is would the EGM adapter I'm considering detract at all from the sound. If you want to use the rca cable you already own - I recommend Neutrik xlr to rca adapters. They are cheap, made well and sound more neutral than the lot more expensive Cardas adaptors. I use the Neutrik adaptor with my balanced pre amp and Nordost Valhalla rca's into my phono stage. I have not heard the EGM adaptor. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill125812 Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 6 minutes ago, metal beat said: If you want to use the rca cable you already own - I recommend Neutrik xlr to rca adapters. They are cheap, made well and sound more neutral than the lot more expensive Cardas adaptors. I use the Neutrik adaptor with my balanced pre amp and Nordost Valhalla rca's into my phono stage. I have not heard the EGM adaptor. Totally agree with @metal beat cliff electronics can help you with the Neutrik adapter https://cliff.com.au 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal beat Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 (edited) 56 minutes ago, Bill125812 said: Totally agree with @metal beat cliff electronics can help you with the Neutrik adapter https://cliff.com.au Hi Bill out of left field, do you think you can build a 6m balanced IC that would be more neutral / transparent to my Nordost Tyr cable? that is cable that adds nothing except purity and dynamics without the stupid Nordost/Audioquest/Jorma etc price tags. the impossible cable? might be logistically easier to have a cable to compare to one of my 1m Valhalla cables? cheers Edited January 21, 2021 by metal beat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill125812 Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 @metal beat My boutique hybrids would fit the bill I think Very neutral and balanced yet very detailed I would certainly put them up against your cables 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoveD Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 (edited) 18 hours ago, Bill125812 said: @metal beat My boutique hybrids would fit the bill I think Very neutral and balanced yet very detailed I would certainly put them up against your cables @metal beat I’ll be interested to hear the result of the shoot out as I am contemplating for some ZenSati XLR but just can’t bring myself to pull the trigger! If Bill’s cable is the winner or as good, that would certainly save me some silly money too! Edited January 22, 2021 by MoveD 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyW Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 There are apparently some benefits to running a short RCA cable to an isolation transformer which converts the signal to a balanced signal and also boosts the signal from the consumer 0.75 to 1.4mv. I would try except I'm running single ended gear these days so no real benefit, though it would still be better for longer cable runs. I've had an eye on these for some time: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33047115798.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.64af2e0esQZPGT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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