New Amp + Amplifier

[clamatowas]

Bases off of the youtube channel of this site I went with the
Yamaha MX-A5200 and the CX-A5200 combo.

Now I'm left with a few questions. Is there a recommended brand of XLR cables where I'm not buying snake oil?

Also My sub 'HSU VTF-15H' only Low level imports or High level no XLR, is it recommended to get a converter?

 

[lovinthehd]

For cables try fellow member @afford-hifi ? He's got a give away this month, too. Otherwise usual go-tos like Bluejeanscables.com, monoprice.com, parts-express.com, amazon...

Just use rca on the sub, it won't likely make any difference even if you had xlr input on the sub, but a good shielded rca cable will work fine. How long is the run?

ps here's the give-away https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/how-about-another-give-away-from-afford-hifi.117219/#post-1369112

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I got these XLR for my Yamaha CX-A5100 + MX-A5000:

https://www.amazon.com/GLS-Audio-Patch-Cable-Cords/dp/B000S7268E/ref=sr_1_40?crid=Z9G6Q5D17YN&keywords=xlr+cable&qid=1581730750&sprefix=XLR+,aps,186&sr=8-40

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Also My sub 'HSU VTF-15H' only Low level imports or High level no XLR, is it recommended to get a converter?

You could get a RCA-to-XLR cable.

 

[clamatowas]

You could get a RCA-to-XLR cable.

Thanks! I did not see the traditional RCA for the sub on the preamp. I only saw the 2 XLR outputs for the sub, that's why I was asking. I just did not want to do something stupid and fry my sub.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks! I did not see the traditional RCA for the sub on the preamp. I only saw the 2 XLR outputs for the sub, that's why I was asking. I just did not want to do something stupid and fry my sub.

I thought it had both choices, yep easy enough to get a converter cable.

 

[lovinthehd]

Just looked at the back of the pre-amp, it has rca sub pre-outs. I'd just use those....

 

[Pogre]

Just looked at the back of the pre-amp, it has rca sub pre-outs. I'd just use those....

Right? What good is it to add another cable to convert when it's unnecessary? Less parts = better I think. If you don't need it don't add it.

 

[clamatowas]

Just looked at the back of the pre-amp, it has rca sub pre-outs. I'd just use those....

You're correct I totally missed it when I looked at it before.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

You're correct I totally missed it when I looked at it before.

Yeah, the CX-A5200 (like the 5100) has both RCA and XLR for all outputs.

If your sub amp only has RCA, you could just use a regular RCA cable. But I know some people just like to see that XLR cable on the CX-A5200 to match all the other XLR cables.

Either way is fine. It doesn't hurt. They are not very expensive either. XLR provides better connections because of the LOCKING mechanism.

As for me, I use all XLR cables for my system since my Sub amps also have XLR.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yeah, the CX-A5200 (like the 5100) has both RCA and XLR for all outputs.

If your sub amp only has RCA, you could just use a regular RCA cable. But I know some people just like to see that XLR cable on the CX-A5200 to match all the other XLR cables.

Either way is fine. It doesn't hurt. They are not very expensive either. XLR provides better connections because of the LOCKING mechanism.

As for me, I use all XLR cables for my system since my Sub amps also have XLR.

OTOH there's no advantage to using a balanced output to an unbalanced input....aesthetics wouldn't be a good reason IMO.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I went with the Yamaha MX-A5200 and the CX-A5200 combo.

Oh, BTW, Congrats on a totally awesome system!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

OTOH there's no advantage to using a balanced output to an unbalanced input....aesthetics wouldn't be a good reason IMO.

Aesthetics is personal preference. The only person who knows if it's worth it or if it's a "good" reason is the owner.

SQ-wise, it makes no difference. So it's pure preference.

Would I do it? Yes I would. I like to see the all-XLR team on the back of my Yamaha pre-pro. I don't want to see any RCA cables on the back of my Yamaha (or anything else ). It's just personal preference.

Heck, if they ever make a XLR-HDMI cable, I would buy them.

 

[clamatowas]

Aesthetics is personal preference. The only person who knows if it's worth it or if it's a "good" reason is the owner.

SQ-wise, it makes no difference. So it's pure preference.

Would I do it? Yes I would. I like to see the all-XLR team on the back of my Yamaha pre-pro. I don't want to see any RCA cables on the back of my Yamaha (or anything else ). It's just personal preference.

Heck, if they ever make a XLR-HDMI cable, I would buy them.

I agree with you 100% they are a very sexy cable.

 

[lovinthehd]

LOL sexy cables on one end only on the back of a prepro....you guys are weird.

 

[Pogre]

Sexy cables huh? I think we just came up with a new marketing strategy...

 

[lovinthehd]

Sexy cables huh? I think we just came up with a new marketing strategy...

New?

 

[AVUser001]

For cables try fellow member @afford-hifi ? He's got a give away this month, too. Otherwise usual go-tos like Bluejeanscables.com, monoprice.com, parts-express.com, amazon...

Just use rca on the sub, it won't likely make any difference even if you had xlr input on the sub, but a good shielded rca cable will work fine. How long is the run?

ps here's the give-away https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/how-about-another-give-away-from-afford-hifi.117219/#post-1369112

I'll add Mediabridge cables to the list of good quality/cheap cables, in addition to BJC,Monoprice,Bluerigger...Great quality , Cheap, good Customer service and ton of positive feedback

Amazon.com: Mediabridge ULTRA Series Subwoofer Cable (15 Feet) - Dual Shielded with Gold Plated RCA to RCA Connectors - Black: Home Audio & Theater

Buy Mediabridge ULTRA Series Subwoofer Cable (15 Feet) - Dual Shielded with Gold Plated RCA to RCA Connectors - Black: Subwoofer Cables - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

All my speaker/HDMI/sub cablesare either BJC or MediaBridge now. Used to use Binary cables from SnapAV, highly recommended by the AV contractors for reliability esp in-wall, was happy with them esp with their Griptek HDMI connectors, but they're a bit more expensive, last time I checked and not broadly available.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

LOL sexy cables on one end only on the back of a prepro....you guys are weird.

It could be worse. We could be doing very bad things. But instead, we're only doing XLR cables.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Sexy cables huh? I think we just came up with a new marketing strategy...

Know what I really like about XLR cables? I love that "CLICKING" sound they make when you connect the cables to Pre-pro/Amp!

Yeah. That's right. CLICK!