Forget the word balanced and focus on just input and outputs. You absolutely can input an RCA source into the Pre90 and it can be output via the XLR outputs. Other than output level (I assume XLR out should always be 6dB more than RCA out) they should sound the same. That isnt what
@maudio is reporting.
I assume
@maudio has selected the right input and output options via the dials/ remote. Something is definitely wrong if the output level out of the XLRs is noticeably less than the RCA out. Checked all your connections? If you have both RCA and XLR out connected to the same amp is there a noticeable drop in level at the same volume level on the Pre 90 when you switch from RCA out to XLR out (and obviously select the relevant input on the power amp? I would test this at quite low levels in case you get a big jump from one to the other. What level on the Pre90 do you need to use for RCA out and XLR out to get the same perceived volume out of the speakers .I would have thought like you that the XLR output should be higher so you would turn that down compared to RCA output.
What is the poweramp by the way?
Thnx to all, although still bit confused, Topping says it converts, and for
@ZestClub and me doesnt seem to work.
Yes i tested it, and it is not just a drop in dB but RCA in/XLR out sounds lot more dynamically constricted. Night and day to RCA all the way.
It makes me concerned if the amp's XLR input is ok. This amp has RCA/XLR switch and I actually 1st tried Pre90 XLR withouth switching to XLR on the amp. Thinking back it sounded similarly bad. With the XLR switch on amp it sounds bit better, more depth, but kind of too much - all is somehow quite in the background but bit more noisy than RCA.
I am about to sell the amp since i can't really test it cos I only have Pre90, and just sold the XLR cables today. (DIT) Ok i just ordered standard Amazon XLR to check what is the diff.
Someone asked about the remote - i had a (black) Pre90 before and sold it, remote was really bad, this Pre90 one is silver and remote is much better, the angle is greater compared to the previous one, although still not perfect, but i doubt this depends on the color of the Preamp