Topic: Shure A95UF

[carpa]

I have a couple of these line matching transformers:
http://store.shure.com/store/shure/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.104215300
Somebody several years ago suggested me to use them in order to unbalance balanced mics. He said that it is better than a simple cable because raising the impedence would allow to keep all the benefits of the balanced cable till it reaches this transformer; so, going into a deck's internal preamp with unbalanced connectors wouldn't   be an issue.

I ask if somebody of you knows this stuff and wether it is a good solution or it spoils the quality of the signal.
In particular, as I've read that the output of a mic must be low impedence to be handled by a preamp input, I wonder how things might really go using this thing.
Thank you
c

Here are specs from Shure:
"The Shure Model A95UF is a reversible line matching transformer that can match
low impedance microphones to high impedance inputs, or match high impedance microphones
to low impedance inputs. The A95UF lets you use long runs of cable with
either low impedance or high impedance microphones. However, when connecting
the high impedance end of the A95UF to a high impedance microphone, the cable
should be no more than 4.6 m (15 ft.) long. The A95UF prevents high frequency attenuation,
level loss, and pickup of noise or hum.
The A95UF can be configured for two low impedance settings: 19Ω to 75Ω, or 75Ω
to 300Ω. As supplied, the low impedance end is configured for 75Ω to 300Ω.
The A95UF is furnished with a female XLR connector at the low impedance end, and
a standard 1/4-inch phone plug and a phone jack adapter at the high impedance end"

SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz. Response at 20 Hz no more than 3 dB down from flat.
Impedance
Green/Orange winding: Low Z (19 to 75Ω)
Green/Yellow winding: Low Z (75 to 300Ω)
Black/Red winding: High Z (41,000Ω)
DC Resistance
Green/Orange winding: 37.5Ω
Green/Yellow winding: 75Ω
Black/Red winding: 4300Ω
Voltage Ratio
Low to High Impedance: +28 dB at 19Ω to 75Ω
+22 dB at 75Ω to 300Ω
High to Low Impedance: -28 dB at 19Ω to 75Ω
-28 dB at 75Ω to 300Ω
Maximum Recommended Input Levels
Case
Full magnetic shield; steel with gray enamel finish
Dimensions
19 mm (0.75 in.) diameter; 89 mm (3.5 in.) long without adapters
Mic/Input Impedance A95UF Winding Max. Level
33Ω Green/Orange (19Ω to 75Ω) 0.5 V
200Ω Green/Yellow (75Ω to 300Ω) 1.0 V
600Ω Black/Red 10.0 V
5,000Ω Black/Red 10.0 V
33,000Ω Black/Red 10.0 V

[chris319]

I would hope whatever you're using as a mic preamp has a balanced mic level input to begin with, thus there would be no need for this.

[carpa]

No, this little piece of gear should be used, I was told, to match balanced low impedance signals (like mics, I guess) with high impedance unbalanced inputs (i.e. mic or line in in a pocket recorder or whatsoever).
My question was about how good or harm could it do, as an alternative of simply unbalancing a mic with a cable.
thank you
c