If you connect RCA to XLR you get a 6dB level drop. XLR to XLR should not give this compared to RCA to RCA
-
WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!
Yamaha's "Physics of Bi-amping"
- Thread starter kenshone
- Start date
You can have other components in a speaker that can behave non-linear.
(magnets, the speaker suspension, voice coil, coils in the crossover)
Maybe that could create the interaction that Yamaha is talking about?
Last edited:
Yes, thanks for the reply. I’m not sure I understand…I thought you’re only supposed to use either XLR or RCA??
As far as the db loss I was referring to earlier, using Balanced XLR to XLR (pre amp to external amp) was a specific amplifier by Rotel-1552 model number I think…Its data/spec sheet showed a 3-4db loss.
You can convert one to the other by just wires. In that case only one of the two signal wires of XLR are used which results in half the signal amplitude (-6dB)
That should not happen. Do you have a reference to that spec?
Okay-thanks Hayabusa, appreciate your reply.
I was just looking at amplifier options and came across it on Crutchfield I think…was looking at its spec sheet, they had it posted next to the manual info.
yes:
Gain
RCA: 26.5dB
XLR: 22.5dB
Indeed weird, I would expect a 6dB difference here in stead of 4.
With the same levels on the signals wires of XLR and RCA normally you would need 6dB less gain
Not necessarily. It depends on the type of balanced output. If it's centre-tapped (either transformer, or these days electronic), then yes one gets only half the signal. However, if the output is fully-floating (again either transformer or more commonly electronic) then you still get the full signal.
S.
The output from the RCA output of a preamplifier is usually 6 dB lower than the XLR's output of the same amplifier, that's probably almost always the case. That has nothing to do with "Gain". When you refer to gain, you will likely be referring the to the gain of the power amplifiers that have both XLR and RCA inputs. In that case, depending on the specific design of the power amplifier, you could have the following possibilities:
1) The gain will be the same whether you use the XLR or RCA inputs. Examples: many Hypex module based amps, the newer ATI amps, some Parasound amps.
2) The gain will be 6 dB lower if the XLR inputs are used. Examples: Bryston, Marantz, and many more..
3) The gain will be lower but not necessarily 6 dB lower if the XLR inputs are used. Examples: the Rotel amp you cited, some Outlaw amps.
If that spec is important to you, then all you have to do is to read the specifications and if it is not included in their documentation, contact the manufacturer.
I was just quoting the gain of the power amplifier involved..
I know, I responded to ddoppler as in his previous posts I am not sure if he's talking about the differences between the XLR/RCA preamp outputs vs XLR/RCA power amp inputs.
He mentioned the RB-1552MKII.. A power amp.
Awesome-Thanks Hayabusa, Peng, this is very helpful and makes it easier when researching the different options out there…trying to find the right and/or close match between the AVR/pre-amp and amp.
This is not easy-so again, much appreciated.
It’s obviously more confusing when I’m not clear enough or using the correct terminology-you guys are awesome.
Oh…yes Peng, I was just wondering about the differences between the two-as there’s the debate out there that you’ll get a cleaner sound-supposedly with using XLR cables as opposed to RCA cables. And then, I noticed that db loss on the Rotel amp if using the Balanced XLR cables and thought this was worth noting but, turned out, it wasn’t. Thanks Peng.
XLR and RCA are just the connector types. There are also 2 different standard levels (voltages). The higher pro level helps decrease noise transfer.
audiouniversityonline.com
XLRs, used to be standard in studios and never used in consumer gear. XLRs were always balanced and had pro level, sometimes the level was switchable. RCAs are always unbalanced and usually consumer level but the level can vary. When consumer manufacturers started putting XLRs on home equipment this changed. They had to drop the level to match other consumer gear. Now its a crap shoot. Check the specs or risk overloading an input.
CONSUMER vs PROFESSIONAL AUDIO LEVELS: -10 dBV vs +4 dBu – Audio University
audiouniversityonline.com
XLRs, used to be standard in studios and never used in consumer gear. XLRs were always balanced and had pro level, sometimes the level was switchable. RCAs are always unbalanced and usually consumer level but the level can vary. When consumer manufacturers started putting XLRs on home equipment this changed. They had to drop the level to match other consumer gear. Now its a crap shoot. Check the specs or risk overloading an input.
Last edited:
Indeed, although even Pro levels are also all over the place. US has +4dBu, UK has +8dBu, some of continental europe has +6dBu, and in the UK and most of Europe, 0dBFS digital corresponds to +18dBu, whilst a lot of other Pro equipment has 0dBFS corresponding to +22 or+24dBu.XLR and RCA are just the connector types. There are also 2 different standard levels (voltages). The higher pro level helps decrease noise transfer.
CONSUMER vs PROFESSIONAL AUDIO LEVELS: -10 dBV vs +4 dBu – Audio University
XLRs, used to be standard in studios and never used in consumer gear. XLRs were always balanced and had pro level, sometimes the level was switchable. RCAs are always unbalanced and usually consumer level but the level can vary. When consumer manufacturers started putting XLRs on home equipment this changed. They had to drop the level to match other consumer gear. Now its a crap shoot.
Standards are great, that's why we have so many of them.
S.
Similar threads
