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Do balanced/symmetrical phono cables really exist?


Hi,

I play, or try to play, with a balanced Blue Amp 42 with symmetrical inputs so I need a symmetrical phono interlink to get the best result (playing with a non-balanced interlink would mean a loss of 6 dB gain). So I go look look for a symmetrical interlink. I mail a well known cable cooker in the Netherland, where I live, and ask him about his balanced phono interlinks. The answer I get is roughly as follows:

'to be honest, my symmetrical interlink isn't really symmetrical. It has the same construction as an RCA/ cinch cable. The only difference is that it has xlr-connectors.

At he moment I'm using a Kimber 1230 phono cable with xlr-connectors and I am pretty sure that this one is non-symmetrical as well, just xlr-connectors because I don't seem to get enough gain from my phono-pre.

What's your stand on this, do symmetrical phono interlinks exist or are we all being fooled bij the manufacturers?

Jos
alabaster
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
A few true balanced Phono preamps exist. i own one. Audio Research PH-2
It has XLR in and out.
ANY balanced XLR cable can work. Whether any are 'made' just for those few/rare balanced phono inputs I do not know.
PS if you are asking about the 'from cartridge' to RCA OR XLR.. it does NOT matter as either one has the exact same voltage, not doubled as in any other use..
The cart puts out the exact same voltage whether it is connected via RCA OR XLR.
Only powered devices using XLR provide a doubling of the power output using XLR instead of RCA.
(not phono cartridges)
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
5,112 posts
 
I am using balanced cables from the cartridge into the speakers...everything is balanced. The result is absolutely dead quiet backgrounds...wonderful sound. The tonearm should be wired to accept balanced connection...some are from the factory and some are not.
alabaster OP
3 posts
 
Thanks for your reactions.

i just had a phonecall from a firm that makes audio cables and they told me that due to the Tac connection on the output of the arm, it is not possible to use a balanced interlink. It would be sufficient to use an RCA interlink with tac/din to xlr connectors. The pre, they said, will take care of the rest.

It is becoming a bit confusing, to be honest.

Jos
extravaganza
268 posts
 
If I correctly remember , Atlas cables make or call some they interlinks symmetrical http://www.atlascables.com/interconnects-main.html
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"i just had a phonecall from a firm that makes audio cables and they told me that due to the Tac connection on the output of the arm, it is not possible to use a balanced interlink. It would be sufficient to use an RCA interlink with tac/din to xlr connectors. The pre, they said, will take care of the rest.

It is becoming a bit confusing, to be honest."

Call a different cable company. There's absolutely no reason why you can't go fully balanced if you want to. There's plenty of equipment out there and you should have no problem putting something together. If you need help from a very good retailer, call The Cable Company. I have been doing business with them for years and find them to be extremely honest and reputable. They have just about anything you could possibly want, in any price range. They will even send stuff out to you to demo before you buy anything from them.
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