Help wiring chassis' XLR and RCA to amplifier module.

[eduardokbb]

My question is pretty simple. I know the differences of balanced and unbalanced connections. I just want my amplifier to have both XLR and RCA options. The main problem is that the XLR solder lug won't be large enough to solder properly the RCA and XLR wiring.
Having that in mind, I thought that maybe I could crimp the ending of both XLR and RCA wiring together in the same faston connector. Do you think it's possible? Perhaps it's insane, but was the best I could imagine. Any other advices and suggestions will be very appreciated!

Peace,
Eduardo Barth.

#Edit:
I'm really sorry for bad english, but in my country we speak portuguese and the little I know about english came from Final Fantasy gaming when I was younger.
Also, I'm really sorry for not being able to draw something better. I'm not a designer and I never learnt how to use Photoshop, Corel, CAD and that stuff. Anyway, I hope the drawing helps to figure out my problem!

 

[Speedskater]

The minute that you start adding wires to a balanced interconnect system, it stops being a balanced system. Get some RCA to XLR adapters and connect them at the RCA outputs then use only XLR cables.

 

[TLS Guy]

My thoughts exactly.

The other option is to have the XLR connected to a balanced input stage and connect the RCA at the output of the balanced stage. The latter is the way it is usually done.

The other common option is use a balanced phone jack input. This is automatically balanced if you use a stereo plug and automatically unbalanced if you use a mono phone plug.

 

[eduardokbb]

My thoughts exactly.

The other option is to have the XLR connected to a balanced input stage and connect the RCA at the output of the balanced stage. The latter is the way it is usually done.

The other common option is use a balanced phone jack input. This is automatically balanced if you use a stereo plug and automatically unbalanced if you use a mono phone plug.

Can you explain a little better how I can connect the RCA wiring at the output of my amplifier's balanced stage? I don't really understand that... Thanks!

 

[TLS Guy]

Can you explain a little better how I can connect the RCA wiring at the output of my amplifier's balanced stage? I don't really understand that... Thanks!

Since I don't have the circuit of your amp, I can't help you further.

It seems to me you are into a project and can not read a circuit diagram.

 

[Speedskater]

It's much easier to use an XLR cable then have a XLR to RCA adapter at the RCA input jack. (the adapter can be built inside the cable connector)

You can't have both the XLR and the RCA outputs available at the same time. So if you want both output jacks on the chassis, then you would need to wire a DPDT switch.

 

[Speedskater]

[h=1]The reference paper how interconnect wiring and adapters:

Sound System Interconnection[/h]Rane Technical Staff
RaneNote 110 written 1985; last revised 7/11

• Cause and prevention of ground loops
• Interfacing balanced and unbalanced
• Proper pin connections and wiring
• Chassis ground vs. signal ground
• Ground lift switches

Sound System Interconnection

 

[eduardokbb]

It's much easier to use an XLR cable then have a XLR to RCA adapter at the RCA input jack. (the adapter can be built inside the cable connector)

You can't have both the XLR and the RCA outputs available at the same time. So if you want both output jacks on the chassis, then you would need to wire a DPDT switch.

I'm not trying to have both XLR and RCA outputs available at the same time. I want to have both inputs available as a option to connect a balanced/unbalanced preamplifier with my amplifier.
By default, my amplifier modules have balanced input, being adequate to be used with preamplifiers that has balanced output . I want to have the option to use an unbalanced preamplifier output to be amplified by the very same amplifier. I don't intend to use both connections at the same time, because it doesn't even makes sense, haha!

The optimal solution for my problem was given that way:

The RCA connector are wired directly to the XLR socket onto pins 2 and and 1. Pin one is the signal ground and pin 2 is the live or centre pin of the RCA then you make an XLR plug up with Pins 1 and 3 shorted out with a wire link soldered in.

The main problem is that I won't have enough space at my XLR solder lugs, so I want to know if instead wiring the RCA input with the XLR socket, I can crimp their wiring ends in the same faston connector, right at the amplifier module input!

Again, I'm sorry for bad english and I hope this time you get what I'm asking here!

Peace,
Eduardo Barth

 

[TLS Guy]

I'm not trying to have both XLR and RCA outputs available at the same time. I want to have both inputs available as a option to connect a balanced/unbalanced preamplifier with my amplifier.
By default, my amplifier modules have balanced input, being adequate to be used with preamplifiers that has balanced output . I want to have the option to use an unbalanced preamplifier output to be amplified by the very same amplifier. I don't intend to use both connections at the same time, because it doesn't even makes sense, haha!

The optimal solution for my problem was given that way:



The main problem is that I won't have enough space at my XLR solder lugs, so I want to know if instead wiring the RCA input with the XLR socket, I can crimp their wiring ends in the same faston connector, right at the amplifier module input!

Again, I'm sorry for bad english and I hope this time you get what I'm asking here!

Peace,
Eduardo Barth

You don't get it, do you? You can not connect an RCA and XLR together at all. In the balanced circuit pin 1 is ground, and pin 2 carries the +ve phase and pin 3 the negative. When it is unbalanced the signal goes to pin 2 and pins 1 and 3 must be connected to make the ground.

So your options are to use only and XLR and use an adapter.

The other option is to use a TRS connector. If you use a stereo plug the it will be balanced, if you use a mono plug then it will be unbalanced as the plug will short 1 and 3 and the signal will go to 2.

If you must have an RCA connector, you must connect it at a different and suitable stage on the amp board. Since I don't know your circuit I can't tell you where.

You have no other options.

You MUST forget about connecting an XLR and RCA plug together. If you do you will have a mess. You have made an impossible request. Now get on with it and choose a solution that will work, and not one that can't. Now you are done with this topic.

 

[eduardokbb]

You don't get it, do you? You can not connect an RCA and XLR together at all. In the balanced circuit pin 1 is ground, and pin 2 carries the +ve phase and pin 3 the negative. When it is unbalanced the signal goes to pin 2 and pins 1 and 3 must be connected to make the ground.

So your options are to use only and XLR and use an adapter.

The other option is to use a TRS connector. If you use a stereo plug the it will be balanced, if you use a mono plug then it will be unbalanced as the plug will short 1 and 3 and the signal will go to 2.

If you must have an RCA connector, you must connect it at a different and suitable stage on the amp board. Since I don't know your circuit I can't tell you where.

You have no other options.

You MUST forget about connecting an XLR and RCA plug together. If you do you will have a mess. You have made an impossible request. Now get on with it and choose a solution that will work, and not one that can't. Now you are done with this topic.

Thanks buddy! Now I realized that to have both connections I would have to short the XLR pins 1 and 3 in order to make the ground for the RCA and, by doing that, I would only turn the XLR socket into a fancy unbalanced option.

If I try to get in contact with the manufacturer of my amplifier board and he kindly give me its circuit, would you be able - or would you want - to help me with that? I'm really sorry for disturbing with such a dumb question all that time. I should've realized that later.. I'm no engineer, never worked with electrical stuff before, so I'm really sorry for disturbing you and I really really appreciate your patience here. I have no words to describe how much you helped me.

Again, thanks for your support and sorry for bad english!

Peace,
Eduardo Barth.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks buddy! Now I realized that to have both connections I would have to short the XLR pins 1 and 3 in order to make the ground for the RCA and, by doing that, I would only turn the XLR socket into a fancy unbalanced option.

If I try to get in contact with the manufacturer of my amplifier board and he kindly give me its circuit, would you be able - or would you want - to help me with that? I'm really sorry for disturbing with such a dumb question all that time. I should've realized that later.. I'm no engineer, never worked with electrical stuff before, so I'm really sorry for disturbing you and I really really appreciate your patience here. I have no words to describe how much you helped me.

Again, thanks for your support and sorry for bad english!

Peace,
Eduardo Barth.

If you can get me the circuit, I will look at it. However, depending on the circuit what you want may not be possible. I don't understand your obsession with an RCA connection. I fail to see what is wrong with an xlr and RCA adapter or a TRS jack. Both give you the option is using it balanced or unbalanced easily and elegantly.

 

[eduardokbb]

If you can get me the circuit, I will look at it. However, depending on the circuit what you want may not be possible. I don't understand your obsession with an RCA connection. I fail to see what is wrong with an xlr and RCA adapter or a TRS jack. Both give you the option is using it balanced or unbalanced easily and elegantly.

I contacted the manufacturer and he said it's not possible to do what you said. I'll keep the XLR sockets and will use adapters when it's necessary. But well, since my first question was non-sense and it took me some time to realize that, I still want to know if it's possible to have, for example an XLR and TRS (both balanced connections!) sockets and crimp their wiring endings in the same faston connector to plug it into the input of the amplifier module? Or by doing that, I would screw the balanced connection?

@TLS Guy:
I really appreciate your help here. If it wasn't you, I would've turned my XLR input into a fancy unbalanced connection and would not be able to enjoy the advantages of a balanced connection. Since I'm pretending to use a fully balanced dac/preamp, it would be something that could really affect the sound quality of my system. Sorry for being so blind all that time, but it's just that I'm still getting into this audio and electronics world.

Peace,
Eduardo Barth.

 

[TLS Guy]

I contacted the manufacturer and he said it's not possible to do what you said. I'll keep the XLR sockets and will use adapters when it's necessary. But well, since my first question was non-sense and it took me some time to realize that, I still want to know if it's possible to have, for example an XLR and TRS (both balanced connections!) sockets and crimp their wiring endings in the same faston connector to plug it into the input of the amplifier module? Or by doing that, I would screw the balanced connection?

@TLS Guy:
I really appreciate your help here. If it wasn't you, I would've turned my XLR input into a fancy unbalanced connection and would not be able to enjoy the advantages of a balanced connection. Since I'm pretending to use a fully balanced dac/preamp, it would be something that could really affect the sound quality of my system. Sorry for being so blind all that time, but it's just that I'm still getting into this audio and electronics world.

Peace,
Eduardo Barth.

I would wire the XLR and TRS in parallel at the chassis, and I would use solder. Solder is always best.