level of balanced audio output

evisto · 6th March 2010

I have an esoteric cd player that, depending of the amplifier, the xlr output sounds lower or higher than the rca output. Anybody knows why?

evisto

Jim vanBergen · 7th March 2010

The XLR balanced out should be +4 while the unbalanced RCA should be -10.
Consumer vs pro-sumer standards.

hbphotoav · 7th March 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

The XLR balanced out should be +4 while the unbalanced RCA should be -10.
Consumer vs pro-sumer standards.

Definitely that... but I have a Tascam M1610 (?) that has balanced outs... at -10. It's really old.

evisto · 7th March 2010

Yes, I know it should be higher than rca (+4) but when I connect it to, for example, a Mcintosh amplifier it sounds lower than the rca. If I connect it to a Jeff Rowland it sounds higher and I would like to know why. I would like to use the xlr output.

evisto

AlexK · 7th March 2010

Balanced connections give you 6dB of extra gain over using the same output unbalanced. It's possible the Mcintosh amplifier is either not utilising the balanced connection, or is compensating for the difference in gain somehow...

6th March 2010	#1
evisto Gear Head Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 50 Thread Starter	level of balanced audio output I have an esoteric cd player that, depending of the amplifier, the xlr output sounds lower or higher than the rca output. Anybody knows why? evisto

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7th March 2010	#2
Jim vanBergen Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2005 Location: New York Friggin' City Posts: 2,562	The XLR balanced out should be +4 while the unbalanced RCA should be -10. Consumer vs pro-sumer standards.

7th March 2010	#5
AlexK Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2009 Location: Cardiff & Bath, UK Posts: 1,344	Balanced connections give you 6dB of extra gain over using the same output unbalanced. It's possible the Mcintosh amplifier is either not utilising the balanced connection, or is compensating for the difference in gain somehow...