Hi All, Thanks for not flaming me for hijacking....
Admittedly I haven't read in detail all of the posts since mine. I hope I don't run off topic, or step on toes.
To respond/comment:
Jbuenech: Glad your phono cables are working. Mine do too! ;-)
But I've put my phono pre right next to the TT, 12ft from my integrated.
But in answer (from (me) a novice really) XLR Can be converted effectively to unbalanced by use of a audio transformer circuit (like the Jensen units Sarcher30 suggests.) But can also be converted using what I've seen as even higher quality OPamp circuitry - near or at audiophile quality.
Conversely, unbalanced output can also be converted to balanced using the same circuit types. In the case that you'd need to run an unbalanced analog source over a distance to a pre amp. Say Reel to Reel, or similar.
This is essentially what audiophile components offering both balanced and unbalanced connections have built into their internal circuitry providing BOTH types of analog input/output.
Radio and pro audio set ups have been doing this for years!
I too found the pro audio stuff has low quality as far as audiophile. But, I've sourced, by sheer accident & luck something that looks promising: Benchmark Media Systems, inc - Yes those guys with the Highly rated DAC & ADC equipment - make several low noise hi audio quality converter boxes and circuits.
I've just found on e-Bay, used an IFA-8 4 channel Input amplifier. Converting XLR to RCA using very good OpAmp circuitry. I intend to wire it up to bridge fully balanced over the 10-15ft then short 12" RCA unbalanced into my integrated. If these units are still not to the quality I'd prefer, I'm pretty sure I can DIY them with upgraded components on their boards, or have someone do them for me.
Benchmark Specs on the IFA-8:
A quad input amplifier with CMRR = 90 dB to 2 kHz, a +28
dB input clip point, DC offset of 120 dB
dynamic range.
> 200 kHz bandwidth
- THD @ 2 kHz = 0.0008%
- 10 kOhm balanced inputs
Benchmark also offers the raw circuit boards of similar quality (these are what are used in the IFA-8 etc) as well if any of you DIY'ers want to modify the internal inputs or outputs of your components.... (I take no responsibility for your success of failure - you attempt at your own risk.)
For completed converters - Check out IFA-8 Quad Balanced Input Amp, IFA-3 Stereo Balanced Output Amp, IFA-4 2 Ch line amp for ridiculously long runs,) IFA-5 QUAD BALANCED OUTPUT AMPLIFIER, IFA 7 Stereo Headphone Amp
Power is either by PS-11 or PS-1 Power supplies.
For raw XLR to RCA / XLR to RCA IN / OUT conversion circuits - See DIA-1, DIA-2 Input amplifiers, and DOA-1, DOA-2 Output amplifiers.
And... Nope, I in no way work for nor profit from sales of Benchmark products. Got mine on eBay.
But I did call them and spoke to one of their sales managers - very helpful and pleasant fellow - he sold me a PS-1 Pwr supply for $36, and I also bought 2 15ft XLRF/XLRM Cables for my set up. He also advised to put the phono pre next to the TT, run the distance with XLR, then step down with the IFA-8 placed right next to & feeding the integrated... So, I seem to be on the right track.
I'm currently running phono cables over the distance (they actually sound quite good.) As I'm still waiting on parts to arrive, I have not installed my balanced set up yet. So, I cannot yet provide real world/first hand testimony to the audio quality, but the specs look very good to me, and I do expect the balanced set up to sound better, and be much more noise immune as compared to the phono cables.
Cheers All!