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Using XLR for Phono out

Hi folks, I am setting up my stereo on paper first and have an interesting question. I have bought a PS Audio GCPH phono preamp. It has RCA inputs for phone but output
can be RCA or XLR! PSAudio states their amp is all balanced. I am using a VPI JWM tonearm that has direct RCA outputs. I am using XLR from preamp Cambridge 840E to my Marklevinson 336. Should I use the XLR phono output to the preamp too? Thanks, Rique.
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Showing 2 responses by axelwahl

axelwahl
788 posts
 
Hi,
I had the GCPH and apart from getting 6dB more output with the XLR, you will also find to get some more depth of detail.

Having said this, detail is NOT everything and you may find that the RCA could sound a bit smoother, or musical by comparison. If your system is more on the bright side (some glare? - and who has not some these days) the RCA may be the preferred way to go, if you do not hanker after the last bit of *detail* in favour of some slightly more harmonic balance.
Ergo, you will not be able to do this one on *paper* first / alone, as you would have it... :-)
Greetings,
Axel
axelwahl
788 posts
 
Buddy,
using adaptors (XLR RCA, or what ever) with *any* phono-cable is one big NO NO!
So my advice: DON'T!
BTW, the GCPH wants to see a single ended (RCA) input, and only then it is converted (via OP-amp) into a differential signal and further handled like such. So the GCPH is not fully differential from input to output (kind of demi-differential :-)
It is this OP-amp chip XLR conversion at the input that makes some purist cringe, and some not bother to use the XLR output (unless desperately in need of the extra 6dB I mentioned earlier on)
Greetings,
Axel
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