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Balanced output to unbalanced input?

post #1 of 7
10/13/05 at 5:49pm
Thread Starter 
I have a soundcard with balanced stereo outputs (Audiophile192) and am simply using two 1/4" to 3.5mm converters to connect a stereo phono cable from the card to my A&R Cambridge amplifier.

I have never been entirely happy with the sound quality (it always sounds a bit harsh and over-attenuated) and wonder if the problem lies in this balanced to unbalanced chain - and if so what the solution would be.

Cheers in advance for any advice.
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post #2 of 7
10/14/05 at 2:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by NTS
I have a soundcard with balanced stereo outputs (Audiophile192) and am simply using two 1/4" to 3.5mm converters to connect a stereo phono cable from the card to my A&R Cambridge amplifier.
"balanced" input/output uses XLR connectors. (And "unbalanced" input/output uses RCA connectors) And "phono" cable is designed to be used to connect from the tonearm of a turntable to a phonostage. Maybe you are using the wrong cable?
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post #3 of 7
10/14/05 at 5:13pm
Thread Starter 
Gundam91, hi there and re

Quote:
Originally Posted by gundam91
"balanced" input/output uses XLR connectors.
Not in the case of the Audiophile192, I'm afraid:

http://www.midiman.com/products/en_u...e192-main.html

Re:

Quote:
Originally Posted by gundam91
(And "unbalanced" input/output uses RCA connectors) And "phono" cable is designed to be used to connect from the tonearm of a turntable to a phonostage. Maybe you are using the wrong cable?
In the UK at least the terms 'RCA' and 'phono' can be applied to the same standard stereo-interconnect cable:

http://www.cableuniverse.co.uk/catal...roducts_id=800

Cheers for the interest in any case, and any other advice gratefully accepted.
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post #4 of 7
10/14/05 at 6:40pm
just make up a pair of TRS to RCA cables, Wiring Tip to center and ring and sleeve to barrel.
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post #5 of 7
10/14/05 at 6:45pm
Thanks for the link. A picture is worth a thousand word. Now I have a better understanding of what you were talking about.

Quote:
Originally Posted by NTS
In the UK at least the terms 'RCA' and 'phono' can be applied to the same standard stereo-interconnect cable.
Thanks for the info. Learn something new everyday. Then what how do you distinguish the single-ended cables (ones with RCA connectors) and the real phono cable that has a ground wire connected to it to be used with a tonearm?

As to your original post. Sorry, can't offer too much help as:
1/ I am not familiar with your equipment;
2/ I am not into computer sound cards.

How long have you had it, maybe it requires more burn-in time? Or maybe the external amp is the calprit? or the headphones? I don't think a little connector is going to drastically alter the sound THAT much.
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post #6 of 7
10/14/05 at 8:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grawk
just make up a pair of TRS to RCA cables, Wiring Tip to center and ring and sleeve to barrel.
i think he already has that and is rather having problems with the signal itself.

I'm not familiar with the card, but changing some software settings to lower the gain and output level will probably help if there are any. if there a setting to change the analog output from balanced to unbalanced you should change it to unbalanced, even if you are using a balanced breakout cable since the signal output level you want is the one for unbalanced equipment.
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post #7 of 7
10/15/05 at 9:33am
Thread Starter 
Cheers for all the responses, will maybe have a TRS to RCA cable made up to see if that helps.
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