3.5mm to RCA cable suggestions.


What are the best options out there or is there not much of a difference as long as they are constructed well? This is for connecting a DAC via aux to powered studio monitors. They have both balanced and unbalanced inputs if there is a better option to consider.

Thanks for any input.
asahitoro
The same comments I had about XLR vs. RCA apply to the Kirlin 3.5 mm to dual TS (not TRS) cable linked to above, vs. RCA. Also, I’ve never liked 1/4 inch connectors because in my experience the contact they make can sometimes become intermittent, especially if they happen to be jiggled.

Regards,
-- Al

Excellent point on the TS jacks AL.

Just a side question...is there any advantage to upgrading power cords on powered monitors at this level? I was thinking something like Pangea AC 14SE MKII.

Thanks again for taking the time to offer your experienced help.
You're welcome, Asahitoro.  Regarding whether or not a power cord upgrade may benefit this particular speaker, though, I have no idea.  In addition to depending on the design of the speaker's two internal class AB amplifiers, and on the characteristics of its stock power cord, it could conceivably also depend on what the AC line voltage happens to be at your particular location.

Good luck.  Regards,
-- Al
 
" Regarding proper grounding, I would expect that a stereo 3.5 mm to dual XLR adapter cable, such as the Hosa cable the OP linked to earlier, would accomplish that. Presumably it connects the ground of the 3.5 mm plug (the "S" of its TRS connections) to pins 1 and 3 of both XLR connectors. Pin 1 is the ground connection of an XLR input, and pin 3 is the signal pin that should be grounded when an XLR input is provided with an unbalanced signal. "

That's all true, but if a component has a balanced/SE switch, I'm pretty sure you still need to use it.

" Also, I’ve never liked 1/4 inch connectors because in my experience the contact they make can sometimes become intermittent, especially if they happen to be jiggled. "

Same here. Although I'm sure build quality makes a difference, but you don't get a choice on what goes into the component. Just the cable.