|
|
Post by Thunderduck on Sept 20, 2014 16:27:57 GMT -5
Currently have a UMC-200 connected to a UPA-700 with MRCA cable. I will probably upgrade to the XMC-1 with its XLR and RCA connectors.
Looking at possible new cables have found XLR to RCA cables. Do these things really work and would something like this be any better than the MRCA cable I already have?
Thank you for advice/help.
Regards,
Steve |
|
|
|
Post by aud on Sept 20, 2014 16:40:51 GMT -5
These cables are adapters. It will convert a balanced connection to rca unbalanced connection. I'm not sure what more you're expecting them to do.
|
|
|
|
Post by knucklehead on Sept 20, 2014 16:43:58 GMT -5
Unless you have your amps separated from the preamp processor by 15' or more you won't hear any differences. Over long runs RCA cables can get noisy.
|
|
|
|
Post by solidstate on Sept 20, 2014 16:44:27 GMT -5
Used the single ended outputs not the balanced ones with that XPA-700.
|
|
|
|
Post by knucklehead on Sept 20, 2014 16:46:06 GMT -5
Used the single ended outputs not the balanced ones with that XPA-700. Huh? |
|
|
|
Post by aud on Sept 20, 2014 16:57:48 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by solidstate on Sept 20, 2014 16:59:25 GMT -5
Used the single ended outputs not the balanced ones with that XPA-700. Huh? Use RCA to RCA as it makes no sense to use XLR to RCA as it's the wrong signal type. Line levels and their approximate nominal voltage levels Use Nominal level, Nominal level VRMS Peak Amplitude, VPK Peak-to-Peak Amplitude, VPP Professional audio +4 dBu 1.228 1.736 3.472 Consumer audio −10 dBV 0.316 0.447 0.894 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_level |
|
|
|
Post by knucklehead on Sept 20, 2014 17:20:28 GMT -5
My 'huh?' was over your XPA-700 - misprint? Sounds like a great amp though. Probably would be a UPA-7 with new clothes.
|
|
|
|
Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 20, 2014 17:36:52 GMT -5
Currently have a UMC-200 connected to a UPA-700 with MRCA cable. I will probably upgrade to the XMC-1 with its XLR and RCA connectors.
Looking at possible new cables have found XLR to RCA cables. Do these things really work and would something like this be any better than the MRCA cable I already have?
Thank you for advice/help.
Regards,
Steve Stick with your current cables, adapters are only useful if you don't have the same type of connection on both ends, in this case you do, use the RCA. |
|
|
|
Post by Thunderduck on Sept 20, 2014 21:47:13 GMT -5
Thank you all very much. Makes sense to me. Going with the adapter cable just seemed like a half a..ed way of doing it.
|
|
emovac
Emo VIPs 
Saeed al-Sahhaf
Posts: 2,456
|
Post by emovac on Sept 21, 2014 1:52:20 GMT -5
Adapters come in handy if you've run out of RCA slots. Other than that I don't see much of a use for them.
|
|
|
|
Post by vcautokid on Sept 22, 2014 3:00:35 GMT -5
Unless both components are balanced components, there is no advantage of going from xlr balanced to RCA single ended. Also as most Emotiva Audio Balanced components are true differential balanced components, you lose the inverted phase leg of the signal, as you are only using the normal hot signal with respect to ground. True balanced signals are hot, inverted, and ground respectively.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bonzo on Sept 22, 2014 12:34:31 GMT -5
Adapters come in handy if you've run out of RCA slots. Other than that I don't see much of a use for them. Or in my case, since one of the RCA connectors on my XPA-2 is bent (and may fail eventually if not repaired), I can use an RCA > XLR cable to fix the problem. |
|
|
|
Post by bub on Sept 22, 2014 13:31:06 GMT -5
I'm using Xlr to RCA cable from my Xda to Sherbourn Pa-4 amp that only has unbalanced input . I'm using the RCA out of Xda to sub (Bic f12 ) that also only has unbalanced and gives me volumn control. I could have used line level out from amp to sub but then I lose remote control of volumn.
How am I doing ?
|
|
|
|
Post by quattroll on Sept 22, 2014 13:31:19 GMT -5
Like Bonzo, I too had a bent/partially broken rca input on my UPA-1 amp that I use for my center (I have 2 more for L and R channels). I tried to do the Tiffany type upgrade but botched it because I used a stiff wire which ripped the solder point. So word to the wise, I think this is a doable upgrade, but you must use a stranded wire that is pretty small - you need the flexibility!
I then found out here about the Monoprice RCA to XLR cables and ordered three, thinking why not have all the connections be that type at the amps. Am I wrong to assume that this is an acceptable method? I know it works, I've tried it and it seems to be a very good connection - maybe it is a little "hotter" a signal so it could fool me?
Part of the reason for doing this is having taken a good look at the board which has both connections, I noticed that the balanced input chassis has thick and solid connections, by far better mechanically and much stronger. Now I look forward to making all of my connections XLR when I get the XMC-1, but in the interim, I am glad that my UPA-1 is still serving me and I am very happy with the new cables - they are very nice for around $6 for 6 or 10 feet. I also used some of my colored bands from Emotiva cables to mark them and the overall result is very satisfying. Thank you for the tip forum!
|
|
emovac
Emo VIPs
Saeed al-Sahhaf
Posts: 2,456
|
Post by emovac on Sept 23, 2014 11:33:07 GMT -5
Adapters come in handy if you've run out of RCA slots. Other than that I don't see much of a use for them. Or in my case, since one of the RCA connectors on my XPA-2 is bent (and may fail eventually if not repaired), I can use an RCA > XLR cable to fix the problem. Certainly a valid use for a temporary fix, but still better to repair or replace the damaged RCA if you can..... |
|
|
|
Post by Bonzo on Sept 23, 2014 12:36:05 GMT -5
Or in my case, since one of the RCA connectors on my XPA-2 is bent (and may fail eventually if not repaired), I can use an RCA > XLR cable to fix the problem. Certainly a valid use for a temporary fix, but still better to repair or replace the damaged RCA if you can..... Yeah, and I've looked into that. The unit must be sent back to Emotiva. PITA, and a ton of freight cost. I know I have to pay freight there, which is what, $50 - $75? And I'm thinking I have to pay freight back, so if so, that's another $50 - $75. $100 - $125 (or more) in freight is a lot of coin just to fix something I paid $720 for in the first place. |
|
emovac
Emo VIPs
Saeed al-Sahhaf
Posts: 2,456
|
Post by emovac on Sept 23, 2014 15:12:08 GMT -5
Certainly a valid use for a temporary fix, but still better to repair or replace the damaged RCA if you can..... Yeah, and I've looked into that. The unit must be sent back to Emotiva. PITA, and a ton of freight cost. I know I have to pay freight there, which is what, $50 - $75? And I'm thinking I have to pay freight back, so if so, that's another $50 - $75. $100 - $125 (or more) in freight is a lot of coin just to fix something I paid $720 for in the first place. Understand completely. Certainly the cost is a factor. You could make a project out of it and replace the RCAs yourself, but that could create a warranty issue. If you're not too concerned about the bend becoming a break, the adapter is a good solution. I had an Adcom GFA-555 circa 1987 that had a snapped RCA input. Couldn't tell from the outside, had to crack the case to see it after the left channel went dead. Cheap plastic assembly. Replaced the set with good quality RCAs. Hardest part was the mechanical installation, opening up the case by a mm or so to fit the new jacks, and getting them to seal up tight. Might be a good reason to schedule yourself some Emofest time next year. |
|
|
|
Post by Bonzo on Sept 23, 2014 15:19:00 GMT -5
I read recently in another thread that for certain models Emotiva will just ship the owner replacements and they can swap them out themselves. So I sent them an e-mail and the response was that for the XPA-2 and XPA-1 they will not do this due to the extensive dis-assembly required. They will do this for the XPA-5 and XPA-3. Bummer! Maybe!!! My Mom lives near Knoxville. Perhaps I should just leave early for Thanksgiving and take a little vacation to Nashville and hit Franklin on the way.  |
|
|
|
Post by memotiva on Sept 25, 2014 13:06:35 GMT -5
Do you hear mass amounts of interference when nothing is playing on your system? Is your Pre at your neighbor's house and your amp in your basement? No? Then the balanced cables will do nothing for you. They're snake oil. Quite likely the difference between the UMC-200 and XMC-1 is too.
|
|
