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Balanced vs Non-Balanced XLR?

Hi All,

need some advice here. I am looking for an int amp with XLR input, I read that int amp with XLR input could be of true balance design or of not true balanced design.

I got a reply from a manufacturer on their amp design:
The balanced input is true balanced, in so far as the electronics inside the amp takes the balanced signal and converts it electronically to a single ended signal for amplification purposes in the correct manner. All our amplifiers are 'traditional' single ended designs, not fully balanced designs, so the balanced signal inputs and outputs are all electronically modified to suit the balanced cable and signal requirements.

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what does it means, in term of performance, to me as an end-user if i am using the XLR input of the amp? does it mean there will be no difference between XLR and RCA inputs for the amp?

Thank in advance
wyred

Showing 1 response by marakanetz

marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Don't forget about common noise rejection. I use balanced XLR throughout the whole rig even in analogue(swapped RCAs to to 5-din XLR).
The input voltage not always will be doubled. There are components that have XLR outputs that are not balanced. The truly balanced components have standard output voltage and decreased voltage from optional RCA outputs by 4dB so you won't overkill if you use XLR even onto the high-gain amp.
Sonically I can't and won't go back to RCA since i don't have to care much about wire quality.
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