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Balanced XLR to RCA Adapters: Good or Bad?

I’m thinking of buying a Clearaudio Ambient turntable with a Satisfy tonearm which has Balanced XLR cable plugs. My old NAD 3155 integrated amp (http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ramps&1027213706&openusid&zz02pete&4&5) does not have XLR inputs jacks. They make adapters ( http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=240-430) which would allow me to connect the TT to my amp. [The amp works fine; it has been recently serviced.] But is it worthwhile to do this? That is, on the assumption that Balanced XLR cables are superior to RCA cables, would I, by using such adapters, undo the good quality of the XLR cables?

Should I go to the expense of buying a preamp with XLR input jacks and RCA output jacks, like the PS Audio GCPH phono stage? I listen to classical music and jazz.
franz456
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,650 posts
 
Does the turntable also offer RCA outputs? If so, I would stick with the RCAs and not use XLR-to-RCA. XLRs are not to be presumed superior to RCA for such a short connection. OTOH, cartridge output is inherently differential and can benefit from a balanced connection but only if there is balanced input phono stage as well.

Kal
franz456 OP
24 posts
 
The seller tells me that "Regarding the XLR connection, you can just re-terminate it to RCA, nothing complicated. The arm is the satisfy carbon direct-wire."
Most (all?) Clearaudio tonearms are direct-wired. The TT is being sold here:
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?anlgtabl&1328203877

So, no, the turntable does not offer RCA outputs.

I'm not sure what you mean by "cartridge output is inherently differential"; but if you are right that "[it] can benefit from a balanced connection but only if there is balanced input phono stage as well," then I would get better sound by buying a preamp with XLR inputs, but it would probably work well enough without one.

In any case, thanks, Kal.
herman
2,215 posts
 
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If you feel the table is a good deal go for it and get the adapters.

The seller is correct, any tonearm cable can be terminated either way but cheaper and easier to get the adapter unless you can do it yourself. I bet you any amount you want that you couldn't tell whether it was reterminated or had the adapter.

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