Would XLR-->RCA output from Sennheiser HDV 820 to a Pioneer Receiver work?

[ldl01031]

I own the HD 800 S and would like to buy the HDV 820 amp. However, my desire is to connect my Pro-Ject turntable to the HDV - no problem, I can use the RCA output on the turntable to the unbalanced RCA on the HDV. First question - should I use the XLR-4 output on the HDV or does it matter (i.e., I could use the 6.35 mm plug)? Real question: I also need to get turntable output to my Pioneer SC-99 receiver. Can I use the XLR-3 analog outputs with an RCA adapter (or RCA-XLR cable) to connect the HDV to my receiver? Will that compromise the quality I have now (i.e., turntable to phono-in RCA)? I bought a Schiit Magni 3 and it is worthless (it can't begin to power the headphones). Assuming it is possible, would that (RCA-XLR) supply a decently boosted signal to the receiver? Would I want to use something other than the phono-in on the receiver with this setup (RCA-XLR)? So - bottom line - can I use an RCA-XLR cable to connect the HDV to the receiver and would that output be at least as good as direct phono to receiver? I assume the problem is somewhat obvious - I can't connect/disconnect the phono every time I want to switch from headphones to speakers. I have a very high end sound card in the PC connected to all this - my only 'missing' link is phono to headphones. Sorry for the rambling ... help please

Thank You.

 

[HTfreak2004]

From my understanding rca cables are unbalanced and xlr cables are balanced. All components in the chain from the source component to receiver/processor to amp must use the same connections to be a truly balanced system. I was interested in using balanced xlr cables from processor to amp but my source player does not offer the xlr output so I was told to use a “decent shielded rca digital and or analog rca’s for all interconnections between components otherwise I would not reap the benefit from xlr interconnects. I hope that helps a bit!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ldl01031]

I'm not expecting balanced output - I know I won't get that. I guess the main question is - would I hear something disastrous if I convert the HDV 820 XLR-3 output to RCA as an input to a Receiver?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

XLR to RCA cables will work fine. They won’t boost the signal though – wire can’t do that.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Verdinut]

In my opinion, there's no real advantage with the XLR connection, either balanced or unbalanced, unless you have to run long interconnects. With lengths up to ten feet, I wouldn't worry and would use RCA connections.

 

[ldl01031]

Right Wayne - I was thinking of the boost from the HDV 820 itself (the turntable isn't amplified so I was wondering if I might need to plug the HDV into something other than the phono input on the receiver. As for simply using RCA connections - I don't have that option on the Sennheiser HDV 820. But it sounds like the XLR-->RCA conversion isn't an issue. Yay!

 

[JerryLove]

In my opinion, there's no real advantage with the XLR connection, either balanced or unbalanced, unless you have to run long interconnects. With lengths up to ten feet, I wouldn't worry and would use RCA connections.

More robust connectors.
The capability for positive-lock connections.

and, of course, noise rejection if a balanced connection.

The only advantage RCA has is its smaller size (less space taken up on the backpanel.

I agree that there's not much lost if you don't use XLR; but if I have the option, all else being the same, I will every time.

Then again: I also like the speakon connectors.

 

[Verdinut]

More robust connectors.
The capability for positive-lock connections.

and, of course, noise rejection if a balanced connection.

The only advantage RCA has is its smaller size (less space taken up on the backpanel.

I agree that there's not much lost if you don't use XLR; but if I have the option, all else being the same, I will every time.

Then again: I also like the speakon connectors.

I agree with you about the more secure connection with the XLR connector. However, there is usually no noise rejection advantage withn a balanced XLR connection for a short length cable. RCA connections have been and are still used on high-end audiophile equipment without any problem. If there had been, the RCA connector which was originally designed for 78's and LP record playback, would have been replaced a long time ago.

 

[highfigh]

That Sennheiser had better be a damned amazing headphone amplifier, for that price.

It also has a lot of inputs that you don't really need, assuming the Pioneer has a better than average DAC, decent phono input and other qualities that weren't included in the Pioneer. Have you compared the Pioneer's headphone output with the Sennheiser?

 

[JerryLove]

I agree with you about the more secure connection with the XLR connector. However, there is usually no noise rejection advantage withn a balanced XLR connection for a short length cable. RCA connections have been and are still used on high-end audiophile equipment without any problem. If there had been, the RCA connector which was originally designed for 78's and LP record playback, would have been replaced a long time ago.

I agree. RCA connectors are just fine for most home setups (IOW: setups where the interconnect isn't 200 ft long and run across a stage). There's no audible issue that would require a move to XLR.

There's noting *wrong* with using XLR either... but it's not necessary in most non-commercial applications