converting Rega to balanced output?


Has anyone converted a Rega tone arm from single ended to a balanced output?

TT is a P-7, using a Benz glider SL cart.


thansk
no_money

Showing 3 responses by atmasphere

I have done this operation a number of times.

The Rega arm is set up with RCA cables coming right out of its base. But if you take it apart, what you find is that there is a tiny dime-sized round circuit board on the other side of that rubber plug that is in the base of the arm.

This allows you to set up balanced operation. Follow the regular color codes: black shield for *both* channels and pin 1 on the XLRs, red pin 2 of the right channel XLR, green pin 3 of the right channel XLR and so on.

The problem you will run into is that there is not a lot of room. Usually what I have had to do is use a drill to go through the rubber plug to make more room for the cable I am using.

BTW, for that I usually use Mogami Neglex console cable. It is only 1/8" in diameter, is OFC and has a twisted pair inside with a shield. What you will find when you go to balanced is that the interconnect cable plays a minuscule role in the overall sound compared to single-ended so using a cable like this is absolutely no worries for the audiophile nervosa challenged.

Good luck- don't rush it :)
Elizabeth, best I can make out from your post, that scenario will hum. The problem is that the stock arm cable uses the minus output of the cartridge as a shield, so if that is used on pin 3 of the XLR you will have a substantial hum.

Its unfortunate that the arm does not have a 5-pin connector or else this would be really easy. But it does have the little circuit board, so it is possible.a