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Bi-amping question - XLR out split

I am currently bi-amping my Legacy Focus speakers and am liking the sound so far.  But I am looking at getting a new preamp so I can use XLR connections from preamp to my two amps, both have XLR ins (please let’s not get into the XLR vs RCA benefit rabbit hole). My question is related to purchasing a new preamp with one XLR out pair or two XLR out pairs.  If I buy a preamp with one XLR out pair and then get an XLR Y cable to send to my two amps, will this lead to any degradation of the sound?  vs just having a preamp with two XLR out pairs (assuming same signal in both XLR out pairs) ?

Thanks - Kevin

kevinshunt
cleeds
6,254 posts
 

mulveling

...  some amps spec a much lower input impedance on their XLR inputs versus RCA, in case that becomes a factor. Though rare, you could find use cases where RCA is the better choice, based on that alone.

That’s a fair point but it’s actually the other way around - you’ll get the higher input impedance on the balanced (XLR) inputs.

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
2,219 posts
 

That’s a fair point but it’s actually the other way around - you’ll get the higher input impedance on the balanced (XLR) inputs.

Ooof, how did I get that mixed up - thanks cleeds.

kevinshunt OP
22 posts
 

Good to know, about the XLR Y connector, at least for that i can include a bunch more preamps to look into for the upgrade.  
 

need to recheck the input impedance at the XLR inputs on my amps before buying, thanks for reminding me.

Kevin

 

mike4597
152 posts
 

The Rogue Audio RP-7 (and RP-9, I believe) has dual XLR outputs, and I am using the second set for my dual subwoofers with cables about 12' and 22' long.THe addition of the subs made a huge difference in my system.

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,161 posts
 

That’s a fair point but it’s actually the other way around - you’ll get the higher input impedance on the balanced (XLR) inputs.

@cleeds Unless you don't. For example the input impedance, balanced or single-ended, of our class D amplifier is exactly the same. 

Some balanced inputs are low impedance (particularly in studio gear) so might be quite a lot lower input impedance than the single-ended input. 

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