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Neutrik XLR to RCA Adapters

The quesiton of where to purchase XLR to RCA adpaters has popped up more than once on Audigon. The usual resposnes direct folks towards products from BAT, Rowlans, PAD, etc, which are good but expensive. Well (and perhaps news only to me), Neutrik makes these adapters as well! The catalog numbers for the more common XLR to female RCA jacks are NA2MPMF (male XLR) and NA2FPMF (femele XLT). The cost? Theoretically about $ 17 each *vs, e.g., $ 115 a pair for the PAD version). The catch? No one seems to stock them!. I found a website in Canada that had ONE femele to female, and being a bulk distributor required me to purchase a $ 50 "license" to buy anything from them - pretty useless! So..the question is ..Does anyone know who might carry these in the US????
alexc

Showing 5 responses by alexc

alexc's avatar
alexc OP
265 posts
 
Sedond Thanks. Youd' be surprised if you went into business. I have checked the local pro-shops (as well as a few on the net) and they carry crap
alexc's avatar
alexc OP
265 posts
 
Well, after another hour or so on the Web, I have found a supplier. For those who are interested, they are Zack Electronics (zackinc.com). They charge $ 6 per adpater..plus sales tax if you live in California or Illinois. Should have some next week. Will compare to my fancy, expensive BAT adpaters and report how it goes...
alexc's avatar
alexc OP
265 posts
 
Swampwalker - Yes, I am using these on a BAT VK 5i SE pre. I have one set from BAT which I use w/ my analog fron end. Works fine, though I have no way of knowing if its detrimental to the sound (phono pre amp had no balanced outputs, so would have to use adpaters at either end or a cbale w/ XLR at one end and RCA at the other - no way to check sound when truly balanced). For my digital gear, I use balanced cables, and from pre to amps I sue HomeGrown Audio silver cables reminated by them w/ XLR's at the pre end and RCA's at the other. However, still searching for onther female XLR to female RCA adapters so I can try other cables between pre and amps.
alexc's avatar
alexc OP
265 posts
 
Well, I received the Neutrik adapters I ordered from Zack Electronics. They look OK, oter than the fact that they come in pieces and you're supposed to solder the connections yourself. I checked the mastertek site, and they do this for you, though their price is a few bucks higher. So...if you're handy with a soldering iron, go with Zack Electronics. Else, go w/ Mastertek. Some observations. Though nicely finished, etc, the Neutrik adapters lack some typical "audiophile" touches such as gold plated RCA's, which adapters from BAT, PAD, etc do have. Not sure if it makes a difference (or at least, 10X the difference). Like I said will try em and post (assuming I don't burn my fingers off w/ the soldering iron!)
alexc's avatar
alexc OP
265 posts
 
Swampwalker - I don't think you'll get much benefit from using a balanced cable if your source does not put out a truly balanced signal. I don't know much about the RCA vs XLR's inputs on you BAT, but I would venture that the balanced inputs/circuit would be superior if fed a banaced signal. You cna always give Victor Khomenko a call. But...I gues for $ 15-20 it's painless enough to find out.
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