Parametric/Graphic Eq Application and Integration for Home Audio Advice Requested.

[DALFA]

Hello everyone,
This may or may not be a silly question, but I simply cannot find an answer on either ASR or from any online resources-- So here goes-- !
1. I have an Anthem MRX540 which outputs into an Anthem MCA225 power amplifier. The MRX only has RCA and I would like to utilize the Balanced Inputs of the MCA225.
I have previously used the active "Art Cleanbox Pro," to do so, but wasn't very impressed with the results.
I was wondering if I could use an equalizer instead to convert to Balanced Audio? As in MRX540 RCA Out to Equalizer RCA In, the Equalizer XLR Out to MCA225 XLR In?
Would this work and if so, could anyone please suggest a decent equalizer with good specs within $500 U.S.D?
Please be advised that I live in India and don't have access to Many U.S Brands. The common ones available are DBX, Behringer, Rockville, Technical Pro, Boss, etc.
I would have ideally liked a Jensen or Radial converter but only Radial Passive JDI is available and no models from Jensen.
Many Thanks in advance!

 

[DALFA]

P.S: Would a Yamaha mixer serve my purpose or would it introduce noise/distortion? My speakers are GoldenEar Triton 2+ Mains and XXL center, 1 SVS PB2000 and 1 SB1000Pro with JBL bookshelves serving as surrounds. Thanks much!

 

[staticV3]

You can convert from RCA to balanced (though still single-ended) XLR using a simple, analog cable for like $10. No fancy electronics required.

XLR's magic is all in the impedance balance, so it doesn't matter that the signal within is still single-ended, not differential like native XLR.
You'll still get all of the noise immunity and clean sound.

Review and Measurements of Crown XLS 1502 Amp

I have my xls 1502 at home and it works great (so far no hiss issues, it works just fine) How should I set the gain regulators at both sides of the screen? I have them at 25% of their total capacity, is that ok_ In a perfect world, you would determine the optimal output from your pre-outs, and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[somebodyelse]

Just to expand on this, if you don't know the output impedance of the source you can leave out the resistor. The CMRR won't be as good, but still 20dB to 30dB better than using RCA at the amp. See Whitlock (Jensen Transformers' AN007 section 3.7) for details.

 

[DALFA]

OK, thanks so much, somebody else, for taking the time and effort to help me out! I think I'll explore your suggestion and read through the link you've provided...

 

[Waxx]

you can also use a di for this, that is what a di mostly does, convert unbalanced signals to balanced. But for short runs that is not needed necesairly, you can do as described above. DI is usefull for long runs or in challinging situations (studio's, stages where a lot of cables cross each other a lot, ...).

In the past most dj mixer did not have a balanced out master, and a di was the solution for that (2 for stereo). These days the most used dj mixers for big stages (Pioneer, A&H, Rane) have balanced out as this is very often very needed on big rigs for clubs and dance festivals. But 25-30 years ago that was not the case and the 2 DI's between the dj mixer and the dsp or analog crossover did fix that.

 

[ElJaimito]

It's easy to estimate the output impedance to add a balancing resistor in the second leg, if you have an adequate AC multimeter and a 10K linear pot (1M better for valve gear). Put a tone into the input of the device, measure the output voltage AC, set the input so it is (say) 1 volt AC. Then put the pot from end to wiper across the signal, reduce the resistance of the pot until the output drops to 0.5V, disconnect and measure the pot end to wiper resistance, and use that resistor value as the balancing resistor. This is just a quick and dirty method, and only for line level outputs NOT power outputs, but will usually work well enough. If you don't know what I am talking about get a techy friend to do it instead. It should give you another 20dB or so of in-phase noise rejection.

 

[DALFA]

you can also use a di for this, that is what a di mostly does, convert unbalanced signals to balanced. But for short runs that is not needed necesairly, you can do as described above. DI is usefull for long runs or in challinging situations (studio's, stages where a lot of cables cross each other a lot, ...).

In the past most dj mixer did not have a balanced out master, and a di was the solution for that (2 for stereo). These days the most used dj mixers for big stages (Pioneer, A&H, Rane) have balanced out as this is very often very needed on big rigs for clubs and dance festivals. But 25-30 years ago that was not the case and the 2 DI's between the dj mixer and the dsp or analog crossover did fix that.

Thanks so much, Waxx, I read-up on this, but apparently, it seems to introduce noise into the system...

 

[DALFA]

You can convert from RCA to balanced (though still single-ended) XLR using a simple, analog cable for like $10. No fancy electronics required.

XLR's magic is all in the impedance balance, so it doesn't matter that the signal within is still single-ended, not differential like native XLR.
You'll still get all of the noise immunity and clean sound.

Review and Measurements of Crown XLS 1502 Amp

I have my xls 1502 at home and it works great (so far no hiss issues, it works just fine) How should I set the gain regulators at both sides of the screen? I have them at 25% of their total capacity, is that ok_ In a perfect world, you would determine the optimal output from your pre-outs, and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

View attachment 389920

Thanks so much, Static... Wouldn't that be pretty much like RCA, though?

 

[DALFA]

My main reason for wanting Balanced Audio into the power amplifier is to avail of the additional +4DB sound differential and a pristine signal.

 

[DALFA]

you can also use a di for this, that is what a di mostly does, convert unbalanced signals to balanced. But for short runs that is not needed necesairly, you can do as described above. DI is usefull for long runs or in challinging situations (studio's, stages where a lot of cables cross each other a lot, ...).

In the past most dj mixer did not have a balanced out master, and a di was the solution for that (2 for stereo). These days the most used dj mixers for big stages (Pioneer, A&H, Rane) have balanced out as this is very often very needed on big rigs for clubs and dance festivals. But 25-30 years ago that was not the case and the 2 DI's between the dj mixer and the dsp or analog crossover did fix that.

HI Waxx, could you recommend a DJ mixer which would serve my purpose?

 

[Waxx]

Thanks so much, Waxx, I read-up on this, but apparently, it seems to introduce noise into the system...

only with bad active di's. But a good passive one won't cause any noise at all. We used Klark Teknik di's and never had a noise issue that was caused by the dj, and the company i worked for (now part of a much bigger company) was specialised in high end hi power dj systems. The actual good one (the successor of what we used) would be the Klark Teknik DI 22P. And i'm sure there are other good ones that i don't know yet.

 

[Waxx]

HI Waxx, could you recommend a DJ mixer which would serve my purpose?

Hi end of mainstream. Mainstream is Pioneer, but the sound quality is ok, not great. Rane and A&H sound better, just like Formula Sound. Most rotary dj mixer are coloured (on purpose mostly). But if you would only buy it for the unbalanced to balanced, use a passive di, it will be a lot more neutral and low noise than any dj mixer.

 

[DALFA]

Hi end of mainstream. Mainstream is Pioneer, but the sound quality is ok, not great. Rane and A&H sound better, just like Formula Sound. Most rotary dj mixer are coloured (on purpose mostly). But if you would only buy it for the unbalanced to balanced, use a passive di, it will be a lot more neutral and low noise than any dj mixer.

Thanks much, will read up on Rane, don't know if A&H is available in India.

 

[DALFA]

Thanks much, will read up on Rane, don't know if A&H is available in India.

Radial Passive's are available here, but will a Passive DI be able to output +4DB through XLR without an active power supply? If so, will definitely go for the Radial option as I've read Many good things about their Jensen transformers.

 

[DALFA]

OK, just saw th

only with bad active di's. But a good passive one won't cause any noise at all. We used Klark Teknik di's and never had a noise issue that was caused by the dj, and the company i worked for (now part of a much bigger company) was specialised in high end hi power dj systems. The actual good one (the successor of what we used) would be the Klark Teknik DI 22P. And i'm sure there are other good ones that i don't know yet.

 

[DALFA]

OK, just saw this... I think Klark is available in India, will check if the DI 22P is, too.

 

[Chrispy]

Can't imagine it's worth changing the output via rca and input via rca in your case. Just use the gear and stop worrying about it, the gains are more in your head.

 

[DALFA]

only with bad active di's. But a good passive one won't cause any noise at all. We used Klark Teknik di's and never had a noise issue that was caused by the dj, and the company i worked for (now part of a much bigger company) was specialised in high end hi power dj systems. The actual good one (the successor of what we used) would be the Klark Teknik DI 22P. And i'm sure there are other good ones that i don't know yet.

Klark 10A and DN110 are available in India at half the cost of the Radial passive DI's--- So Active Klark vs Passive Radial-- Which, do you think would work best for me, bearing in mind my +4DB requirement, please?

only with bad active di's. But a good passive one won't cause any noise at all. We used Klark Teknik di's and never had a noise issue that was caused by the dj, and the company i worked for (now part of a much bigger company) was specialised in high end hi power dj systems. The actual good one (the successor of what we used) would be the Klark Teknik DI 22P. And i'm sure there are other good ones that i don't know yet.

 

[DALFA]

Can't imagine it's worth changing the output via rca and input via rca in your case. Just use the gear and stop worrying about it, the gains are more in your head.

Oh, I know that, but it's some weird obsession about wanting balanced gear!