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Unbalanced and Balanced output voltage

I have always seen that most sources with unbalanced (RCA) and balanced (XLR) have an ouput voltage that is double for the XLR, e.g. RCA=2Vrms, XLR=4Vrms. However, I have noticed that quite a few sources (Esoteric players are a good example) have the same output voltage for balanced and unbalanced. How does it affect the preamplifier? Thanks
raulpjc

Showing 4 responses by milpai

milpai's avatar
milpai
2,460 posts
 
Great question, Raul. You beat me to it. I was thinking of posting this today.
If someone can also answer the "leg" of XLR that I discussed a couple of weeks back. I have also noticed the same thing as Raul. 2V vs 4V. Is it that:
1.Some manufacturers do not prefer the "leg" approach and provide the "total" of "2V+2V" = 4V as the XLR out to the preamp
OR
2. Some manufacturers provide the figure of "2V" at each "leg" of the XLR to the preamp?
The reason I want to find is, when I switched from RCA to XLR between the preamp and amp, I got [substantial] gain. And some folks did mention that the gain "doubled". So whatever volts were going from preamp to amp - are they sent twice over + and - "legs" of the XLR?
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,460 posts
 
Elizabeth,
Thanks for explaining. I was aware of the amp's output, being limited to the spec. It was about a new CDP (in future) with XLR in my system that I was thinking about.
So does it mean that if the CDP outputs 2V per leg, that is equal to 4V to preamp? And then this 4V becomes 8V when it is sent from preamp to amp connected via XLR? This could mean trouble, as it would lead to too much gain in the system.
Yes, I do have to reduce the position of the volume knob when connected via XLR. When using RCA (between preamp and amp), my volume knob was at position 12-14 (depending on recording level) out of the available 24 positions. Now I have to go down to 7-8 to listen to comparable volumes.
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,460 posts
 
Marakanetz,
Thanks for explaining. It makes sense now - why I have the much wanted gain in my system. And I believe that it is safe to assume that when a manufacturer specifies 2V via RCA and XLR, it actually means 4V to preamp thru XLR.

Raulpjc,
I am surprised by what you are facing. What is your preamp and amp? Can you try one more thing? Connect the Sony to the preamp via RCA. Then connect the preamp and amp via XLR and see if it makes any difference. Let us know how this works.
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,460 posts
 
I believe the same goes for my Parasound A21 amp. It is not truly balanced. But that gain worked it's magic in my system :-)
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