RCA to XLR Cable ("pseudo-balanced") to buy ?

[Dirk_67]

just a short question here:

I want to buy (not DIY) RCA to XLR (male) cables in the ("pseudo-balanced") fashion that Hypex and others recommend (see picture below).

I want to buy ready made / 'off the shelf' cables (of several different lenght) that are of very good* "mechanical" quality,
*by this I mean good materials and well done workmanship, ("should be pleasing to my fingers and eyes") -> I do not mean any cable-woodoo silver rhodium ultra high resolution blah blah

Any quick recommendations from your experience (a link is sufficient).




drawing from Hypex Datasheet:

 

[fpitas]

Amazon basics is my go-to. Otherwise the usual suspects like Mogami.

 

[Dirk_67]

Amazon basics is my go-to.

do you have a link to the amazon basics cables, that are connected in the described "pseudo-balanced" way ?

 

[fpitas]

do you have a link to the amazon basics cables, that are connected in the described "pseudo-balanced" way ?

I've seen them there, I think. But I'm in the USA, so my links wouldn't do you much good.

Another source is a music or pro audio store. That's a pretty common cable.

 

[Dirk_67]

what I mostly find on Amazon is connected this (wrong) way:

 

[fpitas]

what I mostly find on Amazon is connected this (wrong) way:

View attachment 261510

Then you might need to talk to someone at a store that sells music stuff.

 

[staticV3]

Monoprice makes cables like this: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=4777
Also available on Amazon.

 

[Chaconne]

Dirk, any chance you could post a link to the Hypex page that covers that recommendation? I can't seem to find it, and I'd like to be educated on the subject. Thanks!

 

[dorakeg]

what I mostly find on Amazon is connected this (wrong) way:

View attachment 261510

I don't see anything wrong with this though. 2 is hot (signal), 1 is shield and 3 is cold (inverted signal). So if you use RCA to XLR, 1 and 3 goes to ground.

 

[NTK]

Dirk, any chance you could post a link to the Hypex page that covers that recommendation? I can't seem to find it, and I'd like to be educated on the subject. Thanks!

See section 9 (Appendix II) of the NC400 datasheet,

https://www.diyclassd.com/img/upload/doc/ncore/nc400/Documentation/NC400_04xx.pdf

and Hypex application note:

https://www.hypex.nl/img/upload/doc/an_wp/AN_Legacy_pin_1_problems.pdf

 

[jhaider]

just a short question here:

I want to buy (not DIY) RCA to XLR (male) cables in the ("pseudo-balanced") fashion that Hypex and others recommend (see picture below).

Hypex sells some that are pretty (nice sheath, WBT locking connectors) but expensive.

 

[Blumlein 88]

The fellow at Buckeye who sales Hypex, and Purifi suggest the Monoprice RCA to XLR cables.

Buckeye Amps

Buckeye Amps utilizes the most advanced audio amplifier technologies available. Authorized seller for Hypex and Purifi Class D amplifiers. Based in the US. Free shipping and worldwide service!

www.buckeyeamp.com

Amazon.com

I've used this with various amps, but I haven't used them with Hypex.
They do not have the capacitor and resistor on Pin 1 shown in the Hypex datasheet. They do mention that with most gear it can be shorted. I don't know if anyone makes a ready made cable with that.

Worlds Best cable makes one with better components. Cost is twice as much.

https://www.amazon.com/Foot-Female-Interconnect-Amphenol-Neutrik/dp/B0957S8JKX/

I have both brands in XLR though only the Monoprice in RCA to XLR. Never had trouble with either one. The WBC is more supple and thinner with the Monoprice being thick and a bit stiff.

 

[sam_adams]

Markertek Sescom Canare Star Quad Male XLR to Male RCA in nine lengths and ten colors.

You may want to take a look at Rane AN110, also

 

[Holmz]

PC-2XR | Jensen Transformers

The design begins with a rugged flanged enclosure that comes standard with gold plated XLR inputs and RCAs plus a removable screw-down barrier strip for easy installation in NEMA enclosures and 19” racks. Plug and play easy to use, this passive interface does not require any power to work...

www.jensen-transformers.com

 

[tmtomh]

I have a pair of WBC (World's Best Cables) I got on Amazon. Happy with them and no hum or apparent wiring issues. Dumb name I know, but they're reasonably priced and seem well-made.

 

[Dirk_67]

Thanks @all,
I think I have enough 'inspiration' now...

Hypex sells some that are pretty (nice sheath, WBT locking connectors) but expensive.

where can you buy it as a (private) end customer (nowadays) ?
unfortunately hypex removed their cables from their end customer store:
-> https://www.diyclassd.com/interconnects/
-> https://www.diyclassd.com/connection-materials/

You may want to take a look at Rane AN110, also

very good !

 

[Chaconne]

See section 9 (Appendix II) of the NC400 datasheet,

https://www.diyclassd.com/img/upload/doc/ncore/nc400/Documentation/NC400_04xx.pdf

and Hypex application note:

https://www.hypex.nl/img/upload/doc/an_wp/AN_Legacy_pin_1_problems.pdf

Thank you!

 

[Dirk_67]

just for the records,
"ghentaudio" sells them as well with the correct (pseudo-balanced) pinning
➔ https://www.ghentaudio.com/part/a05.html
➔ https://www.ghentaudio.com/part/a15.html

 

[kongwee]

If you convert balance or single end in non active way, you will face problem. These are already threads popping out regard to the same issue..

 

[rwortman]

If you convert balance or single end in non active way, you will face problem. These are already threads popping out regard to the same issue..

I would say you may face problems. Most of what I read in that Hypex stuff looked like baloney to me. In most use cases wiring pins 2 and 3 to the RCA plug will work fine. If you have ground loop hum the 100% solution is a quality isolation transformer. Standard mic cables have pin one connected st both ends because A: It is the safety ground for a dynamic microphone and B: It is the return for the phantom power for a condenser mic.

If they think those wiring schemes give all the advantages of a balanced input with an unbalanced source then they don’t know how balanced interconnects work.