[alexpea]

I have the M-audio Firewire Solo, and I've always used the balanced outputs to route the sound to a headphone amp and further on to my speaker amp.

Then I saw this guy saying this:

"i've had the FW Solo for like 6 months now. i've been wondering about how it ranks to headfi for awhile now. it should be the exact same 24bit that they use on everything else they do. all the delta cards and such. i think it's actually derived by the audiophile 24/96 Delta 410 cards.

my only problem with it is that it has no unbalanced 1/4" outs. i have to run it out of the headphone jack to my amp.

actually in my situation i'm considering buying a warmer sounding full on DAC for my rig and just use this box as a transport for my guitar."

What? Can't the balanced outputs be used? Ehm...

It's advertised with 1/4" TRS balanced/unbalanced output...Hmm..

If that's the case, how about this:
I get an external DAC with s/pdif input, and then connect it to my M-audio. The output sound from the computer will then be directed into the DAC digitally and then transformed into analoge. While I can still record into my M-audio for input-sound to the computer. But hey, once again - What can't I use balanced outputs to amps?!!

 

[CyberTheo]

I wouldn't worry about it. You can use an unbalanced cable in a balanced jack. A balanced jack has an extra ground pin for reducing static noise. You will not be able to take advantage of the grounding benefit no matter what cables and connectors you use if your headphone amp does not have balanced input also.

 

[sejarzo]

CyberTheo, you're sort of on the right track, but not quite....it's not a grounding benefit, it's common mode noise rejection, that is the reason for balanced connections. One conductor carries the exact opposite of the other, and the two are geometrically aligned so any interference affects each side of the circuit equally--thus, it's easy to understand why it's "balanced".

If you put 1/4" TS (mono) plugs, like on a guitar cable, or adapters into the TRS jacks, you will get an unbalanced signal that can be connected to an RCA plug or jack on the other end.

One thing to keep in mind, though--if you are dealing with balanced outputs on XLR's, there is the possibility that a commercially available XLR-to-RCA cable or adapter will have pin 3 (the "cold" or inverted signal) internally connected to pin 1 (the signal ground). Certain balanced output circuits are not designed to operate properly with pin 3 grounded, and the output stage can overheat or fail. It's always imperative to contact the manufacturer and be sure to know how such a cable should be wired for that particular device.

 

[CyberTheo]

Thanks for filling in the technical detail, Sejarzo.
I understand balanced and unbalanced, but I just wanted to simplify it in my post. In the case of Firewire Solo, the specs do say that the output jacks can accept either balanced or unbalanced connection. Alexpea should be safe.

 

[sejarzo]

Didn't mean to offend by any means, CyberTheo......it's only that there have been some really off-the-wall posts about the difference between balanced and unbalanced connections that have obviously left a few newbs more confused about the reasons for/differences between them in practice.

 

[CyberTheo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sejarzo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Didn't mean to offend by any means, CyberTheo......it's only that there have been some really off-the-wall posts about the difference between balanced and unbalanced connections that have obviously left a few newbs more confused about the reasons for/differences between them in practice.

Not at all offended. Very healthy exchange.

 

[alexpea]

Thank you very much - both of you!!

 

[brainsalad]

Quote:

left a few newbs more confused about the reasons for/differences between them in practice.

Not just newbs sejarzo, it runs the gamut even with self proclaimed "experts" but not you of course