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RCA to XLR adaptor causing amp to shut down

Can anyone help guide me please: Using RCA to XLR adaptor causes amp to shut down going into protection mode. The application is Luxman 595ASE pre out RCA to XLR on Avantgarde Duo Mezzo XD active base units.
When using Mark Levinson pre RCA out this works fine.

Opening up the adaptor, pins 1, 3 and what I assume is an earth tag are linked with pin 2 connected at the RCA end. I tried cutting the connection between pins 1 & 3 and this stopped the shut down but introduced a significant hum.

chrispb1

Showing 4 responses by auxinput

auxinput
2,920 posts
 

There are some XLR balanced circuits that need a load on the inverted "-" pin of the XLR connector.  If you do not have a load on this pin, the circuit may run hot.  This could be the cause of your amp shutdown problem.  The Cardas RCA-to-XLR adapater is NOT the proper solution here because these adapaters will either float the negative pin or shunt it to ground.

You really need a unbalanced-to-balanced transformer, such as the Jenson ISO-MAX.

auxinput
2,920 posts
 

This is what you really need if you want to do it right:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jensen-Transformers-DM2-PO-2RX-Stereo-Line-Output-Hum-Noise-Eliminator-Isolator-/361662342911?_ul=IL

there are various places to buy it.

auxinput
2,920 posts
 

Alternative, you could get the Jensen SUB-2RX:

https://www.cs1.net/products/jensen_transformers/SUB-2XX.htm

It's geared more towards subwoofer type frequencies.  Just make sure you select the "RX" model (RCA in, XLR out).

auxinput
2,920 posts
 

That ART DTI will likely work just fine.  It's an RCA-to-XLR transformer similar to the Jensen.  Like you said, if sound quality drops, the Jensen is likely to be better.

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