Balanced Input for an EI Clone
Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 3:34 pmHey guys I'm still preparing to build up my Ike and working out all of the little items I'd like to incorperate in it.
I have a boot strap logic that I'd like to use for the Off/Warm/On circuit and I'm working out the details for a unique, tasteful, and nice chassis. However, since the amps are mono blocks I'd like to have them sit sort of close to the speakers, mostly for presentation.
In pursuit of that idea I'd need to run longer line-level wires to the ampifier. As my stereo sits right now I'd have to run a cable about 6 feet from the preamplifier to the amplifier if the amp sat near the speakers. Now, 6 feet really isn't that long, but its an order of magnitude greater than the 14 inches the RCA cables currently are. With that in mind I wondered if it would be useful or worth while to incorperate a balanced input in my amplifier. I have a lot of pro-audio gear (CD players, etc) that use the XLR style balanced interconnects so a source isn't a problem. However, it's my understanding that XLR signals are much higher levels (+/- 5V) than RCA levels (+/- 2V) so I'd have so consider all of that.
So, are balanced interconnects worth incorperating? Or is it overkill and prefunctionary?
If it is worthwhile, does anyone one of a nice eliquent way to incorperate a balanced (XLR) to unbalanced (RCA)?
I've dismantled a lot of audio gear in my life and some of the nicest old stuff had some really great balancing transformers inside of it. Essentially there was a center tapped winding on one side that had twice the turns of the non-center tapped winding on the other side. Some of these transformers were rated upwards of 36,000Hz and down to about 12Hz.
Anyone know of a source for these? I think Sescom (http://www.sescom.com) has them for around $60 each, but other sources and some application support would be nice too.
Thanks all. Your input, comments, and suggestions are always appriciated.
drew*
I have a boot strap logic that I'd like to use for the Off/Warm/On circuit and I'm working out the details for a unique, tasteful, and nice chassis. However, since the amps are mono blocks I'd like to have them sit sort of close to the speakers, mostly for presentation.
In pursuit of that idea I'd need to run longer line-level wires to the ampifier. As my stereo sits right now I'd have to run a cable about 6 feet from the preamplifier to the amplifier if the amp sat near the speakers. Now, 6 feet really isn't that long, but its an order of magnitude greater than the 14 inches the RCA cables currently are. With that in mind I wondered if it would be useful or worth while to incorperate a balanced input in my amplifier. I have a lot of pro-audio gear (CD players, etc) that use the XLR style balanced interconnects so a source isn't a problem. However, it's my understanding that XLR signals are much higher levels (+/- 5V) than RCA levels (+/- 2V) so I'd have so consider all of that.
So, are balanced interconnects worth incorperating? Or is it overkill and prefunctionary?
If it is worthwhile, does anyone one of a nice eliquent way to incorperate a balanced (XLR) to unbalanced (RCA)?
I've dismantled a lot of audio gear in my life and some of the nicest old stuff had some really great balancing transformers inside of it. Essentially there was a center tapped winding on one side that had twice the turns of the non-center tapped winding on the other side. Some of these transformers were rated upwards of 36,000Hz and down to about 12Hz.
Anyone know of a source for these? I think Sescom (http://www.sescom.com) has them for around $60 each, but other sources and some application support would be nice too.
Thanks all. Your input, comments, and suggestions are always appriciated.
drew*