dman77,
If you connect the C12000 XLR output to to either BAL 1 or BAL 2 on the Yamaha, you aren't bypassing its preamp. To do so you need to use the RCA outputs of the C12000. If you can hear the difference between XLR and RCA, you are doing well!
Connecting McIntosh Preamp to Yamaha AS 3200 - Do I use both XLR Bal 1 and Bal 2?
I have a McIntosh C12000 preamp. I also have a Yamaha AS 3200 amp that I want to connect to the preamp through XLR connectors. I am confused... the Yamaha has a Bal 1 and Bal 2 inputs connectors.. each with a set of 2 giving a total of 4 XLR plugs for the inputs. Does this mean I need 4 XLR cables to plug into the McIntosh where I plug in both Bal 1 and Bal 2 as separate R and L channels?
Or do I just use the Bal 1 and use the single R and L connectors to the preamp?
https://usa.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/9/1323169/web_VEJ7880_A-S3200_om_UL_EnFrEs_A0.pdf
https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/-/media/Files/mcintoshlabs/DocumentMaster/us/C12000_OM_24116102.pdf?rev=9435014f2db542559d83023e3516698c&revision=9435014f-2db5-4255-9d83-023e3516698c