Goldpoint XLR switch

"Obviously, before buying a Goldpoint, I should try the Oppo to XLR and Sony to RCA connections, because I may not need one. The distance from disc player to preamp to is less than 2' in all cases, but there are quite few nearby audio and power cables."

I would find out if the Oppo and the Sony are fully balanced. If they aren't balanced, they should sound just as good on the rca inputs.

I have an Ayre C5xemp, and the balanced out is much better than the RCA.

Both the Ayre and JC-2 are fully balanced, and Ayre recommends XLR, so I have not tried the RCA output. Oppo claims there is no difference between the 105 RCA and XLR outputs. IIRC, Sony is moot on the issue for the XA5400ES. I do not know if either the Oppo or Sony is fully balanced.

db

The Oppo appears to be fully balanced -- output via XLRs is much louder than thru the RCA jacks.

10-12-14: Zd542
I would find out if the Oppo and the Sony are fully balanced. If they aren't balanced, they should sound just as good on the rca inputs.

From the Oppo website page on the BDP-105:

The balanced output features a true differential signal path all the way from the DAC to the 3-pin XLR connector. By transmitting a pair of differential signals, the balanced output provides better common-mode noise rejection and improves signal quality.

Also, I would very respectfully disagree with ZD's second sentence that I quoted, even though what he said is a commonly stated belief. Balanced vs. unbalanced interconnections potentially call into play a lot of differences that are unrelated to whether or not the components have balanced internal signal paths. Including ground loop susceptibility (which can affect high frequency noise and background blackness as well as susceptibility to hum); differences in the quality of the interface circuits of both of the components that are being connected; cable differences; sensitivity of the components to cable differences; substantial impedance differences in some cases; and possibly noise pickup in some cases. Perhaps even differences in the amount of attenuation that may have to be provided by the volume control, in the common situation of a 6 db difference in system gain between the two interfaces, would have audible consequences in some systems.

Which is not to say that a balanced interface will necessarily be preferable to an unbalanced interface when connecting components that are not internally balanced (although in theory a ***well implemented*** balanced interface should be better). My point is simply that differences can be expected.

Regards,
-- Al

Thanks, Al. I'll try the balanced outputs 0f the Oppo and Sony to the JC-2. Does any have experience with the pricy Goldpoint XLR switch?

db

I have a Goldpoint switch with RCA's and it works wonderfully. I cannot discern the difference using it or not. I had to buy one since I ran out of single ended inputs on my system. I also have used Cardas XLR>RCA adapters and they work very good as well. Sorry no experience with their balanced products. I hope it helps, -John

Thanks, Jsd, that's reassuring. I'll try XLR from the Oppo and RCA from the Sony. I realized the Oppo will need a dedicated XLR input for the JC-2 BP to by-pass its signal so the front LR level matches that of the surrounds and subs. That means my two best audio sources, the Ayre disc player and JC-3 phono stage, will share a Goldpoint switcher.

db

I should have noted that the JC-3 passes along the signal from an Ortofon SME 30H cartridge in a Shure SME Series III arm mounted on a Thorens TD 124 turntable.