Confusion on amplifier impedance


Hello to all. My question is, is the imput impedance of an amp the same in RCA and Balaced mode. In setting up the M5-HP crossovers ( Balanced) for my Vandersteen 5a speakers  I have to use the input impedance of my amp. Now what I dont understand is the amplifier, a Musical Fidelity M6PRX, is rated at 50K of input impedance but when I decided to check with a voltmeter it was way off the 100Hz target of the crossover. Requirement is play 1KHz tone at 1VAC and measure, then play a 100Hz tone and measure. The resuts should be .707 VAC of the first reading or as close as you can get.
In order to get a proper reading I had to set the M5-HP for 200KHz. My results were then 1KHz at .990 VAC and 100KHz  .722 VAC. I previously had a set of RCA crossovers on a set of Vandersteen 5 with the same amp and had no sonic problems however I never did the check I did now. I just set it at 50K impedance and that was that. Can the difference between RCA and Balanced be so great ? Not sure how this works. Thanks in advance for any help.
cerberus79

Showing 1 response by erik_squires

Depending on how the amp’s inputs are configured. Some use XLR plugs as convenience only. The (-) pin is grounded, and therefore, it’s really just an unbalanced input, with an XLR plug. In this case, the RCA and XLR inputs will have identical impedance from + to - (which is what is being asked for).

If it’s a true balanced input, it may have 2 x the input impedance from + to -. I suggest using the current flow at 60 Hz to tell. Most meters are only good up to a few hundred Hz, if that much. See how much current 1V of input causes, and if it is cut in half on either input.


Of course, another way to tell may just be to test the impedance from pin 2 and 3 to ground with the amp off. you won't get an accurate Ohms reading, but if pin 2 or 3 are grounded, that's your tell.



Best,
E