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Pairing CD player (XLR: 2V output) with amp. (XLR: 4V input)

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HolgerRune

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I have a Marantz PM-10 integrated amplifier. I want to pair it with a GoldNote CD-1000 mkII deluxe CD player using set of 3 ft long balanced interconnect cables. The player has an output voltage of 2V, 50 ohms. The Marantz PM-10 amplifier features an input level of 4V through the balanced terminals.

- Will this mismatch cause any problems?
- Should I consider a CD-player with higher output voltage?
 
Where did you find the 4V spec? It would be unusual for an integrated amp not to have more gain.

This says:
Input Sensitivity: Balanced High level 880 mV / 40 kohm
Input Sensitivity: Power Amp Direct IN 1.5 V / 20 kohm
 
The standard for RCA is 2V and for XLR is 4V.
There may some exceptions...

Ohms
 
AudiOhm said:
The standard for RCA is 2V and for XLR is 4V.
There may some exceptions...

Ohms
Click to expand...
My Lyngdorf CD-2 have an output level of 7V, 100 ohms balanced and Marantz' own SA-10 SACD player 5V, 200ohms blanced. I'm concerned, I will run into problems if I combine my Marantz PM-10 amplifier with the Goldnote CD-1000 mkII deluxe which is only 2V, 50ohms balanced.
 
Zek said:
Where did you find that information? According to this data, the XLR output has 4 Volts.
Click to expand...
Gold Note website itself states same 2Vrms for both XLR and RCA...
 
Did the Lyngdorf CD 2 die or unfixable? Looks like it would work with the Marantz. If you're concerned then the Marantz SA10 will work with that integrated Marantz.
 
I guess the Goldnote balanced isn't true spec of 4v. Might be routing it through unbalanced but it also looks like it tosses a tube in there? I guess the tube makes it $8700? Strange.
 
JustJones said:
Did the Lyngdorf CD 2 die or unfixable? Looks like it would work with the Marantz. If you're concerned then the Marantz SA10 will work with that integrated Marantz.
Click to expand...
My current Lyngdorf CD-2 works just fine along with my Marantz PM-10 via XLR-interconnects. Actually the Lyngdorf it's a very well built player. However, once in a while it's nice to try out new gear. And having demoed the GoldNote CD-1000 mkII deluxe recently, I simply cannot resist that piece of italian hardware any longer. The GoldNote CD-1000 sounds astonishingly good. I am nevertheless concerned about possible issues related to any mismatch in voltage and impedance between the Marantz PM-10 amplifier and the Goldnote CD player. I have heard people say that some CD players' output voltage and impedance do not match any given amplifier...? Does anyone know if that's true?
 
HolgerRune said:
My current Lyngdorf CD-2 works just fine along with my Marantz PM-10 via XLR-interconnects. Actually the Lyngdorf it's a very well built player. However, once in a while it's nice to try out new gear. And having demoed the GoldNote CD-1000 mkII deluxe recently, I simply cannot resist that piece of italian hardware any longer. The GoldNote CD-1000 sounds astonishingly good. I am nevertheless concerned about possible issues related to any mismatch in voltage and impedance between the Marantz PM-10 amplifier and the Goldnote CD player. I have heard people say that some CD players' output voltage and impedance do not match any given amplifier...? Does anyone know if that's true?
Click to expand...

XLR out should output 4V, i.e. double the RCA output. Must be a typo or something.

In any case, your amp's specs for XLR in are ...
Input Sensitivity: Balanced High level800 mV / 40 kohm

... which theoretically means that a voltage of 800 mV (0.8V) at its XLR input is enough to take the amp to full power. So you should be fine.

Why don't you try connecting the two using standard RCA connection just to check that everything works fine?

GS
 
If you go by the usual 10:1 ratio you should be fine. Matching was a problem with older gear but preamps now are made to take at least 2v and up in the kilohms.
 
Still seems odd there's a tube in there I wonder if it's in the signal path or just lights up?
 
JustJones said:
Still seems odd there's a tube in there I wonder if it's in the signal path or just lights up?
Click to expand...
The GoldNote CD-1000 mkII deluxe do not have tubes in the standard version. The player can be equipped with the TUBE-1012/006, which is an external class A tube output stage.
 
gsp1971 said:
XLR out should output 4V, i.e. double the RCA output. Must be a typo or something.
Click to expand...
I have just recieved this from the manufaturer in Italy: "The value is correct, we changed that 3 years ago with the CD-1000 mkII because the majority of our international partners preferred having the same output level to match the unit easily even with different amplifiers around."
 
HolgerRune said:
I have just recieved this from the manufaturer in Italy: "The value is correct, we changed that 3 years ago with the CD-1000 mkII because the majority of our international partners preferred having the same output level to match the unit easily even with different amplifiers around."
Click to expand...
That explanation is ridiculous!! I refuse to believe it. I think they either messed it up or the XLR circuit is not really balanced.
 
4 volts is not a standard. More a loose convention. Should work fine for your purposes. It's a 6 db difference in level.
 
HolgerRune said:
The GoldNote CD-1000 mkII deluxe do not have tubes in the standard version. The player can be equipped with the TUBE-1012/006, which is an external class A tube output stage.
Click to expand...
I see It's a whole different tube output stage. I misunderstood reading the website I thought it was a single tube put in for some reason . I guess but a simple CD player and some EQ makes more sense to me. I don't see why it wouldn't work, might need to work the volume a little different than the Lyngdorf connected, not turn it as far, or farther?
 
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