Found the following excerpt from a old Benchmark guide on the web. Can't seem to find the original link. For the flex we just need to find out which of the 3 balanced out configurations is used and connect a cable accordingly
impedance-balanced - float or ground ring , either is fine
transformer-balanced - ground ring
active-balanced - float ring
See below:
When connecting audio equipment, it is important to understand the differences between various types of 'inputs' and 'outputs'. It is especially important to understand differences in electrical specifications. Connecting gear without proper electrical considerations could degrade the system's performance, or even damage the equipment. This article will discuss the necessary considerations of connecting balanced and unbalanced connections (e.g., XLR-to-RCA).
Definition of Terms and Concepts
Before discussing the techniques, a few concepts should be explained. The following concepts are true for the large majority of equipment (although exceptions do exist):
- Balanced connections have three signal conductors, referred to as: hot, cold, and shield.
- The hot signal conductor carries the audio information.
- The role of the cold signal conductor varies depending on topology (more on this to follow). Often, but not always, the cold signal conductor carries an inverted (polarity-reversed) copy of the hot signal.
- The shield conductor is sometimes referred to as 'ground', and it usually connects the cable shield to chassis ground for the purposes of providing a signal shield and eliminating ground loops.
- For XLR connectors, pin-2 is the hot conductor, pin-3 is the cold conductor, and pin-1 is the shield conductor.
- For ¼" TRS connectors, the tip, ring, and sleeve respectively carry the hot, cold, and shield conductor (equivalent to pin-2, pin-3, and pin-1, respectively, of an XLR connector)
- Unbalanced connections (RCA; ¼" TS) have two signal conductors: hot and shield (the hot signal conductor carries the audio information).
Connecting Balanced Outputs to Unbalanced Inputs
Balanced outputs are very common on professional products. Unbalanced inputs are very common with vintage equipment and consumer electronics. Establishing proper inter-connections between balanced and unbalanced equipment is imperative for the performance of the system (and may also prevent damage to the equipment).
There are three types of balanced outputs:
'impedance balanced', 'transformer balanced', and 'active balanced'. Each type of balanced output requires different considerations when connecting to an unbalanced load. With each case discussed, we will assume that 2-conductor (unbalanced) wire is being used, as 3-conductor wire will offer no advantages when driving unbalanced loads.
Devices with
impedance-balanced outputs actively drive the hot output only. The cold output is tied to ground via a resistor that matches (or
balances) the output impedance of the hot signal conductor. In other words, there is no audio signal on the cold conductor, but, in a full balanced system, common-mode rejection will be maintained since the impedance is balanced between the two conductors.
Impedance-balanced outputs can connect to unbalanced loads with the cold output 'floated' (unconnected) or connected to ground. There will be no performance or other differences between a floated or grounded cold conductor (pin-3) with impedance-balanced outputs. Using an XLR connector, this corresponds to pin-3 floating or tied to pin-1. The hot signal conductor will be connected to pin-2, as usual, and it will carry the audio information. The shield conductor will be connected, as usual, to pin-1.
Devices with
transformer-balanced outputs actively drive the primary winding of the output transformer. The secondary winding of the output transformer delivers a symmetrical signal to the hot and cold signal conductors.
Transformer-balanced outputs must have the cold output tied to the shield conductor when connecting to an unbalanced load. Using an XLR connector, this corresponds to tying pin-3 to pin-1. The hot signal conductor will be connected to pin-2, as usual, and it will carry the audio information. The shield conductor will be connected, as usual, to pin-1.
Devices with
active-balanced outputs actively drive both the hot output and the cold output. The signal on the cold output is an inverted (polarity-reversed) version of the signal on the hot output. This creates symmetrical signals between the hot and cold outputs. This is the topology of all Benchmark equipment.
When connecting an active-balanced output to an unbalanced load, it is necessary to leave the cold output (pin-3) floating. Using an XLR connector, pin-3 should not be connected to anything. If a cable is used with pin-3 tied to pin-1 (shield), the output amplifier could be damaged. This type of connection establishes a low/no impedance path to ground. This means the amplifier will drain current, unimpeded, into ground, which is stressful to the output amplifier.
Connecting Unbalanced Outputs to Balanced Inputs
Unbalanced sources are very common, especially in consumer electronics (phono pre-amps, cassette decks, etc). Also, many keyboards, samplers, and other electronic sound sources have unbalanced outputs. When these devices need to be connected to a balanced input (such as the ADC1 USB), it is important to understand the proper method of cabling.
An unbalanced-to-balanced connection should use a 3-conductor (balanced) wire. The explanation behind this technique is somewhat complicated, and it is beyond the scope of this article. For an in-depth look at the technical explanation for this solution, read section 5.4, "Shield Wires", of
The Clean Audio Installation Guide. ( http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/caig/ )
The connecting cable should have the cold signal conductor of the cable tied to ground at the source-side only (the unbalanced end of the cable). The load-side of the cable will be connected in a typical balanced configuration.
A more sophisticated connection may be needed for aggressive common-mode rejection, which may require modifying the equipment. For information about this type of setup, refer to the "Shield Wires" section (5.4) of
The Clean Audio Installation Guide.
( http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/caig/ )
