Topic: Balanced cable question

[ts]

I'm looking at using the balanced outputs on my universal disc player to the balanced inputs on my integrated amp. Currently I only have a nice pair of XLR to RCA cables available to use. Could I use an RCA to XLR adapter for the amp end and end up with a balanced signal or would it be better to buy another fully balanced XLR cable pair? Thanks.

[tim in jersey]

The RCA>XLR adapter will work, but it will still be an unbalanced signal due to the way an XLR>RCA cable is wired.

[rocksuitcase]

Tony I noticed no one else answering. I would guess your XLR-> RCA adapters have ground cut off at the RCA ends. (open them up to check if they are not sealed) that is the method they use to create unbalanced from balanced.
so you will want a set of XLR's to use your balanced inputs on the player.

There are probably commercial cables which exist which are 3 pin XLR to 3 wire TRS 1/4 inch, but not RCA.

[Gutbucket]

Using adapters or adapter cables you'll still be making an unbalanced connection, essentially the same as using unbalanced RCA connections at both ends to begin with.. so if RCAs are available on both components I'd just use a standard RCA stereo cable to connect them.  The best best for using the balanced XLR connections at both ends is a pair of balanced XLR terminated interconnects.  A spar pair of mic cables will work in the interim.  Do that instead of trying to force-adapt balanced to unbalanced, which is best left as an option of last resort when you have a balanced connection on one side and unbalanced one on the other.

The strategies for achieving that differ, but generally the negative signal wire (XLR pin 3 / TRS Ring) is left unconnected, not tied to shield (XLR pin 3 / TRS Sleeve). But for transformer balanced stuff that doesn't work.  See https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/more-cable-wiring-balanced-unbalanced/

[ts]

Thanks guys. I guess I kinda new that, but read online, I think audiogon, that the adapter magically transforms the cable back to balanced and the more you spend on the adapter, as in the Cardas one (very expensive), the better the sound will be. 

[ero3030]

 Better grounding, not sure about sound.  Balanced deff better for longer amp runs

[morst]

if it's over 10 feet (3 meters) then just buy some XLR cables, otherwise RCA is fine