Equipment Rack Between Speakers...Good or Bad

@atmasphere  Thanks for the feedback. I was thinking of using the long runs based on a thread you commented on. I am thinking of using a Benchmark LA4 preamp, which I think supports the balanced standard as you described. 

I am getting 2 amps (one a backup or change of pace). One will be a Benchmark AHB2 amp, which I assume supports the balanced standard. I used to own the AHB2 and a Benchmark DAC3 preamp/DAC and I could not tell a difference with different XLR cables. The second amp I will get is a Luxman m900u. This one I am not sure if they follow the balanced standard. I shall see.

@mijostyn Thanks for your input. I would not of thought using a AES/EBU cable between a preamp and amp was possible. I will dig more into this combo. Not too expensive to test with a short run.

@atmasphere Would you care to mention the brand of XLR interconnects you are using into your amps? How long are they?

I have also been thinking of hiding my rack behind a wall. Some discussion posts on PRO balanced connections and long runs have made me seriously consider getting the rack out of the way. I likely need 20 - 25 feet of XLR to make that work.

@atmasphere  Just to follow up on the past post. I contacted Benchmark and their Engineering department confirmed the following:

Thanks for your patience. Yes, our units do support the AES48 standard.

As I mentioned previously, with my old Benchmark DAC3 + AHB2,  I could not tell a difference between using Bryston Canare XLR between the preamp + amp and Audience Au24 XLR.  The Bryston cost me about $60 about 20 years ago and the Audience was a few hundred used.

I contacted LuxmanUSA to ask about the AES48 standard and they are contacting Luxman Japan to ask engineering.

Just wanted to add this if anyone was interested.

For closure to my previous post here is Luxman’s feedback on AES48 support.

The M900u / C900u do not support AES48 standard.

The engineering team does not recommend using only pins 2 and 3 to conduct signal... without pin 1 in use, the units would be unstable.

The engineer did ask a question: What cables are you trying to use? If he has this information, he may be able to research further.

Also, the Luxman M900u and C900u are Class II devices. As such, they do not employ an earth ground. My understanding is that for AES48 standard, an earth ground is required. I may be wrong about this, but this is what I have been told. I don’t know if this changes your approach or not, but just wanted to pass that along.

On well, I may have to spend a little more on long XLR’s since I am getting the m900u.