ICEpower 1200AS2 question

[Sam Ash]

Thank you @staticV3 - your kind help and expertise has been appreciated.

 

[Sam Ash]

I intend to build my own RCA male to XLR male cables, any good practises or recommendations?

 

[staticV3]

I intend to build my own RCA male to XLR male cables, any good practises or recommendations?

A few best practices exist (see below), but the most important part is to connect XLR Cold and XLR Ground (Pin 1&3) to RCA Ground separately, not just short them in the XLR plug.


That way, the 1200AS2's differential input can still detect and cancel out common-mode noise.

 

[Sam Ash]

Much appreciated @staticV3.

What do you mean by "not just short them in the XLR plug"?

 

[Sokel]

I intend to build my own RCA male to XLR male cables, any good practises or recommendations?

In addition to always correct @staticV3 ,that's the datasheet's recommended practice and the datasheet to study for fun:

https://shop.icepoweraudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ICEpower1200AS1-2-Datasheet_1_7.pdf

 

[Sam Ash]

In addition to always correct @staticV3 ,that's the datasheet's recommended practice and the datasheet to study for fun:

View attachment 408518

https://shop.icepoweraudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ICEpower1200AS1-2-Datasheet_1_7.pdf

What does that translate to @Sokel ? I presume it aligns with what @staticV3 has recommended.

 

[staticV3]

What do you mean by "not just short them in the XLR plug"?

This is how most off the shelf RCA to XLR cables are configured:


XLR Pin 1&3 shorted inside the plug.

The advantage is that one can use cheaper wiring.

The disadvantage is that such a cable will defeat a differential input's ability to reject common-mode noise.

 

[staticV3]

What does that translate to @Sokel ? I presume it aligns with what @staticV3 has recommended.

It's essentially this, I think.

 

[Sam Ash]

@staticV3 - I really appreciate the clarification. I now understand what you mean.

 

[Sam Ash]

Is it better to use a 2 core cable with copper shielding? The shielding then acts as the 3rd core. OR is it better to use a good shielded 3 core cable?

 

[Sokel]

Is it better to use a 2 core cable with copper shielding? The shielding then acts as the 3rd core. OR is it better to use a good shielded 3 core cable?

Two cores and shield is fine.
You will tie both cold (-) and shield on RCA's sleeve and hot (+) to RCA's tip.
On XLR's side you will solder them as usual,shown in the above pic.

 

[Sam Ash]

Two cores and shield is fine.
You will tie both cold (-) and shield on RCA's sleeve and hot (+) to RCA's tip.
On XLR's side you will solder them as usual,shown in the above pic.

@Sokel and @staticV3 - it is kind and knowledgeable people like you that make this forum special. Input from the both of you has been truly exceptional.

 

[Sam Ash]

Could you clarify this for me please. What resister would I need to get? Not sure what the zOut value is of the Wiim Ultra, where can I find that? Is it usually mentioned in the technical specifications of a preamp?

What is the benefit of the resistor?

 

[Sokel]

Could you clarify this for me please. What resister would I need to get? Not sure what the zOut value is of the Wiim Ultra, where can I find that? Is it usually mentioned in the technical specifications of a preamp?

What is the benefit of the resistor?

It would be nice to add it if you find Wiim's output impedance.
On the other hand it won't hurt if you skip it.

 

[Sam Ash]

Just

It would be nice to add it if you find Wiim's output impedance.
On the other hand it won't hurt if you skip it.

After some searching, this is what I found:-

The Ultra has a very low output impedance of only 11 ohms. It is good from a technical perspective, all poweramps can be driven even the most sluggish ones with low input impedance.

 

[Sam Ash]

Does that mean I should incorporate an 11 ohms resister?

 

[Sam Ash]

@Sokel and @staticV3 - I may not end up incorporating the resistor but could you kindly tell me what purpose it serves?

Would it make a difference in my application?

The fact that it is indicated in the diagram obviously means something.

 

[Sokel]

@Sokel and @staticV3 - I may not end up incorporating the resistor but could you kindly tell me what purpose it serves?

Would it make a difference in my application?

The fact that it is indicated in the diagram obviously means something.

You can find all the answers you want here:

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

 

[staticV3]

@Sokel and @staticV3 - I may not end up incorporating the resistor but could you kindly tell me what purpose it serves?

Would it make a difference in my application?

The fact that it is indicated in the diagram obviously means something.

And here:

https://www.hypex.nl/media/fa/d8/a3/1682342122/The%20G%20word.pdf

 

[Frank207be]

I had one of the very first 1200AS/2 modules and it started buzzing after a few months. It's replacement has been faultless though and sounds very pleasant.

I'm thinking of replacing it with the 2000AS/2 as that module has higher gain.