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Post by audiosanity on Jan 5, 2014 3:39:35 GMT -5
I am considering my options for connecting an XDA-2 to an XPA-200 amp, with the length being 0.5m or at most 1m (about 3 feet). Are XLR connectors worth it for such a short run, especially since the XPA-200 is not a truly balanced design?
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Post by Topend on Jan 5, 2014 3:57:47 GMT -5
I like XLR connections at any time, they are more robust and easier to remove.
Dave.
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Post by yves on Jan 5, 2014 4:19:52 GMT -5
no
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 5, 2014 5:02:00 GMT -5
Noise is more relevant then distance, sometimes even very short runs can be noisy. No noise = RCA will do just fine.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by audiobill on Jan 5, 2014 6:07:57 GMT -5
There are two aspects to XLR/Balanced.
One is as you point out for noise reduction on cable runs.
The second involves the use of fully balanced, differential components (like the Emo Xpa-1 series and the DC-1 Dac).
In the first case, no real benefit on short runs, IMHO.
In the second case , really recommended.
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Post by mgbpuff on Jan 5, 2014 8:02:03 GMT -5
Compared to the cost of your components (you paid for balanced connectors didn't you?) of course it's worth it - good solid connections and no worries about noise (real or imagined).
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Post by PGT on Jan 5, 2014 9:22:50 GMT -5
keep in mind....you don't need to spend te><a$ on them either....Amazon has lots of good quality xlr cables for <$10/ea - Sometimes the terseness of my reply can't be blamed on my phone.  |
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Post by geebo on Jan 5, 2014 9:43:52 GMT -5
I like XLR connections at any time, they are more robust and easier to remove. Dave. Agreed. To me they are worth it. |
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Post by wizardofoz on Jan 5, 2014 11:23:56 GMT -5
I think they are worth the effort (no need to spend on exotic cables) even on a short run. BUT using them on the likes of other than the XPA-1 and probably the XPA-1L and XPR-1 I think you are not going to see any change in the amp sound...the non fully differential amp designs are basically having a Bal to un-bal converter in front of the gal/unbal switch on all of the other XPA-2/3/5 and UPA-1 amps. I can't be sure the same is true for the multichannel XPR models however.
I use balanced when its available regardless as I prefer the connector design and the ease of changing and searing cables ... but many parts of my system are unable to support it so I have to run RCA in some areas.
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Post by repeetavx on Jan 5, 2014 11:26:42 GMT -5
Are XLR connectors worth it for such a short run, especially since the XPA-200 is not a truly balanced design? Yes, but probably not for any technical reason. Even though a device is not balanced internally, Emotiva has made it clear that all of their devices that have balanced connectors, have balanced sending and receiving circuits attached to them. |
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Post by RichGuy on Jan 5, 2014 13:10:32 GMT -5
I have 16 ft for my XLR cable run and definitely prefer XLR. However even if I was only going a foot I'd still use XLR as I like the better cable and the much nicer and more robust XLR connector. I especially prefer using XLR with my Emotiva amps since the RCA inputs on the amps were not very good quality on the original generation amps, however Emotiva now uses a quality RCA on their new generation 2 amps. But XLR is just a much nicer quality connector all around. I use one 7 channel Mogami snake cable with Neutrik black/gold XLR connectors. I love the quality of this cable and Mogami wire always impresses me with its excellent sound quality  |
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Post by macromicroman on Jan 5, 2014 13:20:12 GMT -5
Richguy, why does your seven channel cable seem to have eight connectors on each end?
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Post by yves on Jan 5, 2014 13:40:37 GMT -5
Noise is more relevant then distance, sometimes even very short runs can be noisy. No noise = RCA will do just fine. Cheers Gary I am using 5 meter (16'5") shielded RCA runs between my UMC-200 and my Airmotiv 5s. Noise is just a word, and TBH it can't be found in Emotiva's dictionary. |
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Post by whovous on Jan 5, 2014 14:01:39 GMT -5
I have balanced connectors in part of my old school stereo, below. None for the TT, of course. Really short XLRs consist in substantial part of the connectors themselves, and that can make them awkward to play with in tight corners. You can always make them longer, but then they get sloppy, too.
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Post by Topend on Jan 5, 2014 14:06:23 GMT -5
Richguy, why does your seven channel cable seem to have eight connectors on each end? Probably should have read 7.1 channel. Dave. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2014 14:12:39 GMT -5
I am considering my options for connecting an XDA-2 to an XPA-200 amp, with the length being 0.5m or at most 1m (about 3 feet). Are XLR connectors worth it for such a short run, especially since the XPA-200 is not a truly balanced design? Is it a first time cable purchase ? Do you already have RCA cables ? IMO you've got the connections and if you're buying cables anyway get the xlr... |
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Post by Dark Ranger on Jan 5, 2014 14:23:14 GMT -5
I am considering my options for connecting an XDA-2 to an XPA-200 amp, with the length being 0.5m or at most 1m (about 3 feet). Are XLR connectors worth it for such a short run, especially since the XPA-200 is not a truly balanced design? From a technical perspective, the only likely advantage from a 0.5 meter (or 1 meter) XLR cable would be a more solid connection. Noise should not be an issue at those lengths unless your components are in a noisy environment. Be sure to use a well-shielded RCA cable regardless of length. If you have both RCA and XLR cables available, then I'd suggest trying them both to see which you prefer. That being said, I used an XDA-2 + XPA-200 combo for 13 months. They were connected together via a 5 meter XLR cable. The reason for that is because I had the XPA-200's RCA inputs connected to my UMC-1. I was able to flip the amplifier's rear-mounted metal toggle switch between Bal/Unbal connections for either movies or music. I mentioned earlier about using well-shielded cables regardless of length. Due to an upgrade, the XPA-200 is now powering my Zone 2 system via a 25-foot run of unbalanced/RCA cable. During initial setup, the only cable I had available at those lengths was quite old and not adequately shielded (as I discovered). I measured just under 60 dBC of hum/buzz from the Zone 2 system with the SPL meter directly in front of the speaker. Obviously that would not do. I purchased a 25-foot stereo run of LC-1 from Blue Jeans Cable. That solved the issue. Absolutely no noise. I would have used XLR, but the UMC-1 offers RCA outputs only. Again, use quality, shielded cabling and you'll be fine with an unbalanced run at reasonable lengths.  |
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robf1
Seeker Of Truth
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Post by robf1 on Jan 5, 2014 14:26:20 GMT -5
I am considering my options for connecting an XDA-2 to an XPA-200 amp, with the length being 0.5m or at most 1m (about 3 feet). Are XLR connectors worth it for such a short run, especially since the XPA-200 is not a truly balanced design? I bought the Emotiva X series RCA at .5. Tight fit, nice build and work great as my XDA-2 sits on top of the XDA-200, easy to keep the cables away from power etc.. Saved $20+ over the XLR, that buys a few HD tracks! |
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Post by Topend on Jan 5, 2014 14:33:05 GMT -5
That being said, I used an XDA-2 + XPA-200 combo for 13 months. They were connected together via a 5 meter XLR cable. The reason for that is because I had the XPA-200's RCA inputs connected to my UMC-1. I was able to flip the amplifier's rear-mounted metal toggle switch between Bal/Unbal connections for either movies or music. For info, Lonnie has mentioned a while back that the toggle switch is not designed to be constantly switched, therefore he recommended not doing this. Cheers, Dave. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jan 5, 2014 14:41:17 GMT -5
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