Okay to use RCA adapter on a fully balanced amp?


Not a XLR is better or RCA is better question BUT if I have an amp (Digital Amplifier Co) that is fully balanced and only has XLR inputs, if you use a converter and go RCA from a Preamp, are you losing out in quality?

 

Here is something from audioholics and their review of one of their amps - 

"The MEGAschino is a true fully balanced differential amplifier from input to output. It is essentially two  amps for each channel, and one amp per phase. This means it really should be used in a fully balanced system.The manufacturer supplies an XLR to RCA adapter, but these should not be used. If a balanced connection cannot be used, note that the amp cannot be driven to full power from a 2-volt single-ended output, the limit of most receivers."

blkwrxwgn

Showing 4 responses by blkwrxwgn

Not really concerned about the noise or if XLR is better, the only thing I'm worried about is the quote again.....I've never heard of this before and don't want to only get partial power from my amp.

"The MEGAschino is a true fully balanced differential amplifier from input to output. It is essentially two  amps for each channel, and one amp per phase. This means it really should be used in a fully balanced system.The manufacturer supplies an XLR to RCA adapter, but these should not be used. If a balanced connection cannot be used, note that the amp cannot be driven to full power from a 2-volt single-ended output, the limit of most receivers."

 

Thank you @soix that's what I was getting after, didn't know if it made a massive difference or not in audio quality.

@blkwrxwgn , you should be able to drive the amp single-ended using an adapter. I would expect that your amplifier would sound the same driven balanced or single ended based on the statement above.

I trust your judgment, It's also not my final amp, there will be upgrading and I'm sure not all will be fully balanced.