2. amps-preamps
  3. 186123-23048

Audio Research reference amplifiers used with RCA IC`s and unbalanced preamplifiers

I am considering purchasing used audio research reference amplifiers either 150se or 75 SE. My question is this

As these amplifiers are fully balanced and don't have an RCA input, can I use RCA interconnects with a conversion plug from RCA to balanced at the amplifier input and will it work in my system?

I don't have any balanced interconnects and don't want to go through the extra expense. Only one of my three preamplifiers has an XLR output and there's nothing indicating the preamplifier is fully balanced.

I find this balanced/ unbalanced criteria confusing.

 

nsp

Showing 3 responses by atmasphere

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atmasphere
11,640 posts
 

👍

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,640 posts
 

Also, Kalvin is not retired and is at ARC and is usually the guy who answers the phone.

@speedthrills I went to Ward's funeral (RIP, Ward) a couple of years ago and saw Kalvin there. He told me he had left ARC a couple of years earlier. If he has since gone back that is news to me.

THE REF 80SE has rca inputs on the unit so I guess using RCA IC's would not be a problem? 

@nsp Of course- no worries!

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,640 posts
 

As these amplifiers are fully balanced and don't have an RCA input, can I use RCA interconnects with a conversion plug from RCA to balanced at the amplifier input and will it work in my system?

@nsp I think the answer is no.

IIRC, these two amps, while 'fully differential', have a poor Common Mode Rejection Ratio at their inputs! What this means is that it makes a big difference to them if the balanced input is driven properly. In support of this (again, IIRC), I was told by the front man at ARC (Kalvin, since retired) that the amp will make significantly less power and significantly greater distortion if driven single-ended.

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