Balanced output to SE RCA input - Harrison Labs?

[babadono]

ummmm...ok...I can try to explain. There are different types of balanced outputs. One type has a signal on the + output only and the - is just an equal impedance to ground. On this type it is ok to use the + signal and tie the - to the ground of the input of unbalanced inputs. The CMR of the connection will be lost (or very limited) but no harm will be done to the circuitry.The other type has signals on both the + and - outputs. Being there is a driven signal on the - it should not be tied to the unbalanced input circuit ground i.e. left floating. There are "fancy" derivations of this actively driven type of output, a transformer or cross coupled output that would allow the grounding of the - signal without damage. But these are rare. Best to use the safe connection if uncertain. Or use the recommended hook up specified by the manufacturer.

 

[babadono]

https://www.jensen-transformers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/an003.pdf

this can help understanding....in fact check out all their app notes.

 

[john61ct]

THANK YOU! Will take time to process, integrate with what I got so far...

Meantime I may post more notes and discoveries as I collect them, anyone feel free to please correct me if I go astray.

Seems clear by now the Hlabs board is no "universal" panacea for ensuring safety in the Bal--> SE direction? That that idea is just not possible in passive adapters?

It might be useful for temporarily handling physical wiring pathways.

But at this point I'm thinking best approach might be, leave the native connectors as they are on the receiving sink component,

after research & testing do the grounding / floating conversion-wiring permanently in a custom patch cable and then

LABEL it well as BAL-->SE and "belonging to" the source driver component, designed for which receiving sink device.

 

[john61ct]

also Bill Whitlock 's Chapter 36 Grounding and Interfacing in AES' Handbook for Sound Engineers 5th Edition 2015

He dedicates this to Neil Muncy and apparently was also a strong advocate of "The Muncy Solution"