2. amps-preamps
  3. 1154129336

Connecing Balanced and Unbalanced at the same time

I will ask the question first then will tell you what I am thinking about doing. Can I connect balanced and unbalanced cables to my 9BSST at the same time? And everytime I want to use the source that's connected to either one of them, I will change the switch on my amp's channels. I have a 9BSST and currently using a receiver (Pioneer Elite VSX-55Tix) acting as a preamp/processor, and it is currently connected to the amp using unbalanced connectors. My objective is to improve the sound in stereo mode. I am thinking about buying a DAC with a volume control and connect it to the amp using balanced connectors when I listen to music. When I want to watch TV or movies, I will turn my DAC off and switch the connectors on the amp to unbalanced so it will gets its feed from the receiver. I know that this will be inconvenient, however I won't have to spend large sums of money on a good preamp/processor. If you have a better way of doing these, please let me know.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

kas
ksalous

Showing 1 response by jimangie1973

jimangie1973
6 posts
 
I think you need to contact Bryston before doing this. Does the manual say not to connect both? Most equipment with balanced and unbalanced inputs have the unbalanced input tapped off one side of the balanced input. When unbalanced is selected, the second signal of the balanced input is shorted to ground.

If this is the case with Bryston, and you have equipment connected to both, it may produce a very low input impedance on the tapped line. This occurs because active source component will be driving the output impedance of the other source component connected. In addition, the balanced source will be driving a short to ground if it is turned on when unbalanced input is selected on the amp. This could fry the output stage.
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