Neutrik NA2F-D0B-TX XLR to RCA Adapter Review

[thecheapseats]

Asking for good performance at 4Vrms from peanut-sized transformer is silly and doesn't work no matter who build it, be it Neutrik, Jensen, Lundahl, Sowter, Cinemag, ...

yep - trash boxes... really only good in an emergency/pinch for interfacing a device - and not much else...

 

[thecheapseats]

Sorry the ingenuous question, but not use a XLR-RCA cable?

because sometimes, you must...

 

[thecheapseats]

xlr-m

delving into this is off topic to the review here (maybe?)... perhaps start a new thread with your question or someone may help you in pm...

 

[Hayabusa]

Sorry the ingenuous question, but not use a XLR-RCA cable?

The use for this device is decouple the two sides, so solving ground loop kind of problems, a XLR-RCA cable will not do that.

 

[Herbert]

I just went through the whole stuff
recently building a decent mic preamp for my film-camera and choosing the right transformer for
line-level, going from balanced to unbalanced. The transformer in a housing like the NA2F’ is way
too small to drive line levels. I would re-test at Mic level. I assume Neutrik used this transformer, NTE-1 : https://asset.conrad.com/media10/ad...ce-200-primary-voltage-12-v-content-1-pcs.pdf

 

[Rja4000]

Should I be worried about my RCA to XLR cables? This result scares me!

Nope.
Unless they include a transformer.

 

[Rja4000]

I have some adaptaters from Neutrik (XLR to 1/4" TRS jack) and, while they are technically as transparent as one could whish, they are fragile.
I broke 2 accidentally already.

Keep Neutrik for what they do best:
their pro connectors.

 

[Randyman...]

Something like an active Radial J+4 with much larger X-Formers is a better solution - especially when level-matching is basically a given going from RCA > XLR

 

[Gruesome]

Amir, I think you misread the specs and severely overloaded the transformer. dBu is with respect to 0.775V, isn't it? I suggest repeating the test with at most a few 100 mV at the input.
Edit: the Google says that DI boxes feed into microphone inputs of consoles, and that a common level might be -30 dBu. So a few 100 mV is still way to high. I think this meshes with your first plot, where the transformer starts distorting at 70mV, i.e. below -10 dBu. This gizmo is not made to handle line levels.

 

[Randyman...]

Amir, I think you misread the specs and severely overloaded the transformer. dBu is with respect to 0.775V, isn't it? I suggest repeating the test with at most a few 100 mV at the input.

The distortion graph shows distortions starting at 70mV, and a rolloff starting at 80Hz! Maybe the 3rd harmonic causing the 60dB SINAD at 4v was some heavy saturation (but the waveform still looks smooth) - but clearly this thing is not a fantastic solution for anything full-range/HiFi.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

The use for this device is decouple the two sides, so solving ground loop kind of problems, a XLR-RCA cable will not do that.

But if you don't have a ground loop issue, IDk why you would need the tranformer. Benchmark and Emotiva make XLR to RCA cable that leave the inverting output (pin 3) unconnected, rather than shorting it to ground. I use this in my system to connect my Octo DAC 8 outputs to my two SVS SB 2000 subs with no apparent detriment (ground loops).

Balanced XLR to Unbalanced RCA Adapter Interconnect

The XLR to RCA Adapter delivers excellent electrical performance and protects the integrity of the audio signal in a slim, flexible cable. Shop online today!

emotiva.com

Benchmark XLRF to RCA Adapter Cable for Analog Audio - pin 3 floating

Benchmark Studio&Stage™ Analog XLR Cables CABLES ARE SOLD INDIVIDUALLY Price is for one cable, order 2 for a stereo pair. Hand assembled in the USA with true silver solder Benchmark Studio&Stage™ Analog XLR Cables combine the best cable, connectors, and construction techniques in order to offer...

benchmarkmedia.com

 

[johnnyx]

I worked for a company that made a line-level isolated audio distribution box for studios, which used transformers. The transformers were fairly large and heavy toroids, and there was an additional feedback winding. The feedback winding was used to include the transformer within the linearising feedback loop of the driving amplifier, used to reduce distortion and increase bandwidth.

 

[pma]

Asking for good performance at 4Vrms from peanut-sized transformer is silly and doesn't work no matter who build it, be it Neutrik, Jensen, Lundahl, Sowter, Cinemag, ...

Exactly! Some of the ASR tests are very strange and are missing basic understanding and understanding what is the purpose of the component.

 

[poopy]

Yes. Such devices are usually the last "suspects" if something isn't right in a system.

I'd say they ARE the first suspects since they are cheap accessories.

 

[thecheapseats]

Nope.
Unless they include a transformer.

not exactly - the right xfmrs used correctly are fine... perfectly appropriate to use one in the right application...

 

[Randyman...]

Exactly! Some of the ASR tests are very strange and are missing basic understanding and understanding what is the purpose of the component.

The distortion graph shows distortions starting at 70mV, and a rolloff starting at 80Hz! Maybe the 3rd harmonic causing the 60dB SINAD at 4v was some heavy saturation (but the waveform still looks smooth) - but clearly this thing is not a fantastic solution for anything full-range/HiFi.

 

[thecheapseats]

... But if you don't have a ground loop issue, IDk why you would need the tranformer...

for level matching - galvanic isolation is a byproduct of a xfmr...

 

[Randyman...]

not exactly - the right xfmrs used correctly are fine... perfectly appropriate to use one in the right application...

Jensen Twin Servo Transformer Coupled Mic Pre. Perfect example. And will send like +28dBu 20-20k or so w/o any saturation...

 

[Randyman...]

for level matching - galvanic isolation is a byproduct of a xfmr...

If stepping down or 1:1 - usually OK. If stepping up, you will generally have additional loading and reflected impedances to deal with. If you have a stout output driver, you are likely OK. But those Ebtech/Morley -10/+4 "passive level shifters" are pushing it IMO. And you need a substantial transformer for good 20Hz performance.

An Active/buffered Radial J+4 is a better option.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

for level matching - galvanic isolation is a byproduct of a xfmr...

I'm using those cables on my subs, I have other ways to match the levels of my subs and mains.