Newbie looking for XLR solution

[ekbruster]

I recently acquired a Crown XLS-402, and I'm looking to use it for amplifying my household in ceiling speakers (not for surround sound, just general music distribution). It has XLR balanced inputs, I'm trying to find an inexpensive solution to connect it to my XM Radio, MP3 Player and other audio sources (RCA inputs). Is there another solution aside from investing in an expensive mixing device? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[BMXTRIX]

You can simply jumper out the balanced input and run it unbalanced from your A/V equipment to the amplifier. This is done all the time and doesn't have any ill effects on the sound. The balanced connections really are there to add functionality, not to limit you. So, if the balanced input is not used, then it doesn't harm the equipment or your sound.

EDIT: This looks like a site with the specific info you want:
http://www.dplay.com/dv/balance/balance.html

 

[Votrax]

There's no special equipment needed.