It is simply a voltage level issue. Best case, RCA connection will only deliver half the voltage compared to a balanced input. Add to that - your phono preamp is probably putting out much less than the 2V of a CD player, probably more like 1V peak at most (depending on the preamp gain, and cartridge output). So you are probably already -12dB or lower when connecting your phono input to the flex, compared to a digital input.Hi all,
Happy owner of the balanced flex since a couple of months back, replacing my 2x4HD in a 2.1 configuration (KEF LS50, svs sb1000 with topping pa5 / dynaco st 70).
One item that I am trying to work around is the ADC balanced input, when using RCA plugs and connecting my riaa/vinylrecord player to the input I loose a substantial amount of sound level headroom compared to running my usb streamer (normal audio levels at -7db with riaa compared to -25 db with streamer).
I assume this is just the nature of running RCA to balanced input as I had similar issue running the 2x4HD to my topping.
Though, can a self-wired rca-trs cable improve audio levels (cable similar to minidsp recommended output cable for flex) or would i have to look at a balanced riaa or quality converter of sorts?
thanks!
Not a big issue - you could (if you wish) use one of the presets for vinyl use, with +12 - +15 db (whatever gives you the best match with your streamer) of gain applied in the Flex plugin settings.