XLRs to phonos
Hi all,
I have just bought a pair of XLR to phono leads but found that they won't work with my kit. Before I bought them I was advised that the signal travels from the balanced end, through to the phono end. However, upon recieving the cables, I've found that the balanced plugs only work with input sockets (although the cables are labelled to advise that they are directional from balanced end to phonos). Am I missing something here? Could it be that some amp manufacturers use XLR input sockets as output ones?
It would be a pain to have to get the plugs replaced, and am keen to make use of my last available output (XLR) sockets from my pre (and maybe hear an improvement in the sound too). I don't like the idea of using some kind of male/female XLR adapter, but I suppose this would be my only other option.
Anyway- maybe someone has come across this issue before?
Cheers,
Sigmund
Helpful as ever, JH.
XLRs should only be used if you have fully balanced equipment. Numerous pieces of kit these days feature XLR sockets when they don't actually incorporate fully balanced circuitry into their designs. Even when they do some people prefer using single-ended connections (phono). However, using XLR to phono defeats the object of either method (presuming you do actually have balanced equipment).
Thanks for the advice.
Surely, XLR to phono would still be a good connection, when no others are available? (as is the case with me). Even though I wouldn't be taking advantage of the benefits of balanced connection, surely the connection would be just as good as phono to phono?
I guess not many people come across the problem of running out of available outputs. Just one of those things that happens and I happened to pick up a XLR to phono lead, without having to go through the trouble of having one specially made up for me. I thought that was a bit of luck, but of course it seems to have been fitted with the wrong plugs - any thoughts?
I wouldn't worry about it if XLR to phono is the only connection method available to you - but I would get a refund on that cable you bought if it has been terminated with the wrong XLR plugs!
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Don't bother, stick with phono-phono connections.