When AR were questioned as to how the amplifier can be fully balanced, they said: The
REF Phono 3SE does not have balanced inputs. We create a balanced
signal after the inputs using a phase inverter. What turntable are you
using that has balanced outputs? The outputs of the Phono 3SE are
balanced and will feed your line stage with a balanced signal, pin two
is positive, pin 3 is negative, and pin one is ground.
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Summary:
The phase inverter does not increase the gain of the unit, it simply
maintains a balance signal through the circuitry. This does provide CMR
but we have no published specs on that to share.
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Summary:
The REF Phono 3 uses a phase inverter circuit which converts the single
ended inputs to balanced so the unit is fully balanced through the unit
at at the XLR outputs
All very strange.
@clearthinker The ARC phono section doesn't have a balanced input. The only explanation I have for this is a failure to realize that call cartridges are balanced sources? Or maybe they worry that dealers won't like it if it uses an XLR input. Dunno. At any rate it sounds like its a single-ended input with a balanced output.
My Triplanars were supplied with balanced connections (XLRs). ARC owns a Triplanar (I know people over there as we're in the same town). So this shouldn't sound weird to them. It does sound like you encountered someone in marketing that didn't really know what was going on.
