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Thread: Balanced cable technical question

  1. #1
    Join Date: May 2016

    Location: Notts

    Posts: 2,741
    I'm Geoff.

    Default Balanced cable technical question

    Hi,

    I wonder if the techies here can answer a question about this adaptor.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-4mm-to-....c100005.m1851

    I am looking for an adaptor to allow me to connect a balanced output with a 4.4mm socket to a pair of monoblock power amps with balanced inputs.

    This looks suitable in that it is a 4.4mm to dual xlr adaptor. However, I notice that only 2 of the 3 xlr pins are wired. As I understand it, a balanced cable has a 3rd connection for ground alongside the 2 +/- signal cables.

    Any advice welcomed.

  2. #2
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

    Posts: 99,005
    I'm Grant.

    Default

    That I think is a 4.4mm balanced audio player to an amp or preamp. You can get them with the ground too, for active speakers.
    Regards,
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  3. #3
    Join Date: Sep 2013

    Location: North Island New Zealand

    Posts: 1,757
    I'm Chris.

    Default

    Hi Geoff
    Yes that cable will not function correctly, as pictured in the sellers images, as it is missing Pin 1 XLR as ground.

    The rear part of the cable beyond the R- ,would need to connect to the silver braid screen, possibly it already does this.
    In the circumstance, just ask the seller to test continuity between the 4 pin rear ground metal, to the right of R-, and XLR Pin 1
    for each channel

    With a lot of eBay sellers they simply on-sell from another supplier, but if they are a good seller they will get an answer for you
    confirming if ground from the 4 pin connects to Pin 1

    Hope that helps

  4. #4
    Join Date: Sep 2017

    Location: Derbyshire

    Posts: 156
    I'm Martin.

    Default

    Is it possible the shield connection is not shown ?

    I can recommend you try Mark Grant cables, he may be able to build you one.

  5. #5
    Join Date: May 2016

    Location: Notts

    Posts: 2,741
    I'm Geoff.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sherwood View Post
    Hi,

    I wonder if the techies here can answer a question about this adaptor.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-4mm-to-....c100005.m1851

    I am looking for an adaptor to allow me to connect a balanced output with a 4.4mm socket to a pair of monoblock power amps with balanced inputs.

    This looks suitable in that it is a 4.4mm to dual xlr adaptor. However, I notice that only 2 of the 3 xlr pins are wired. As I understand it, a balanced cable has a 3rd connection for ground alongside the 2 +/- signal cables.

    Any advice welcomed.
    Thanks all for the advice. I contacted the vendor and they have confirmed that the cable is grounded. Even redrew the wiring diagram on the ad!

  6. #6
    Join Date: Sep 2013

    Location: North Island New Zealand

    Posts: 1,757
    I'm Chris.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sherwood View Post
    Thanks all for the advice. I contacted the vendor and they have confirmed that the cable is grounded. Even redrew the wiring diagram on the ad!
    Great result, Geoff

  7. #7
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Essex

    Posts: 31,853
    I'm openingabottleofwine.

    Default

    According to the eBay supplied image for the lead:



    It will meet the requirements of connecting a balanced source to a balanced load.
    Barry

  8. #8
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: South West of England

    Posts: 263
    I'm Will.

    Default

    Good old XLR pin 1, completely pointless yet the cause of so many problems!
    Radford Revival
    www.radfordrevival.co.uk

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