XlR to rca cables

[wildchild22]

Hi Just wondering what is the max length of cable for wiring a pre-pro to power amps. I have a 250 ft spool of balanced audio cable and do not want to make the cables to short, in case I need more length some day when we move. I am going to make 11 cables
7 for the preouts
2 for the subwoofers
2 for dolby prologic Z when I get a pre-pro that supports it.

 

[agarwalro]

Balanced cables are less prone to interference due to the design of the cable and how the equipment on either end uses the signal. The audible gains from using balanced signal over balanced cables in Home Theater implementations are negligable (IMHO, the only gains are bragging rights).

By doing the XLR to RCA conversion, you are removing the ground conductor from the signal transmission. In effect, you are converting your balanced cable to a stereo cable. So the question is, what did you gain?

If you choose to go the XLR to RCA route and use the 250ft of cable, I would recommed that you not do the XLR to RCA conversion if your transmission distances are large, that is > 100ft. Indeed, don't even bother using the balanced cable at all if your distances are < 50ft. IMO, waste of money and time and completely unnecessary.

XLR cables (that is, XLR on both ends with balanced signal) have been used over very large distances, 200 - 300ft runs in pro installs are very common.

 

[wildchild22]

I have tried a 15ft 1/4 to rca on a ep2500 and there is noise I then made a xlr to rca cable 15 ft long and there is no noise. SO even though they are the same the ep2500 likes xlr. I am wondering if I made them 25ft would that be to long for an unbalanced cable.

What is the max safest bet for unbalanced cable length (xlr to rca)?


The balanced cable for the 250 ft roll I bought was 5.00 in Canada when the source by circuit city sold all their bulk wire.

 

[bandphan]

Get a cleabox and don't worry for your pro gear.

 

[wildchild22]

actually the clean box from yamaha htr-6060 doesnt work as well as using the xlr to rca cables. Mike C recommended the rca to xlr on the ep2500 and he was right. Night and day difference no noise and no need for a cleanbox.

 

[wildchild22]

I'll answer my own question.

I settled on 30 feet long and made one. It is perfect no noise so 30 ft for an unbalanced xlr to rca is an acceptable length.

 

[bandphan]

actually the clean box from yamaha htr-6060 doesnt work as well as using the xlr to rca cables. Mike C recommended the rca to xlr on the ep2500 and he was right. Night and day difference no noise and no need for a cleanbox.

Ok you asked. Mike is da man thou. I'd parrot him any day.

I'll answer my own question.

I settled on 30 feet long and made one. It is perfect no noise so 30 ft for an unbalanced xlr to rca is an acceptable length.

In your application.

 

[lsiberian]

Balanced cables are less prone to interference due to the design of the cable and how the equipment on either end uses the signal. The audible gains from using balanced signal over balanced cables in Home Theater implementations are negligable (IMHO, the only gains are bragging rights).

By doing the XLR to RCA conversion, you are removing the ground conductor from the signal transmission. In effect, you are converting your balanced cable to a stereo cable. So the question is, what did you gain?

If you choose to go the XLR to RCA route and use the 250ft of cable, I would recommed that you not do the XLR to RCA conversion if your transmission distances are large, that is > 100ft. Indeed, don't even bother using the balanced cable at all if your distances are < 50ft. IMO, waste of money and time and completely unnecessary.

XLR cables (that is, XLR on both ends with balanced signal) have been used over very large distances, 200 - 300ft runs in pro installs are very common.

This isn't entirely true. XLR to RCA conversions and vice versa are necessary if you plan to implement a DCX 2496 into your setup. And believe me the DCX 2496 can make a very audible difference.

I'll be buying or making 3 of these soon actually.

 

[wildchild22]

In your application.

Do you think 30 feet is too long?

 

[bandphan]

Do you think 30 feet is too long?

No. Each application and piece of gear is different.

 

[agarwalro]

XLR to RCA conversions and vice versa are necessary if you plan to implement a DCX 2496 into your setup.

Mine specifically? Yes , but not if one has a pre-pro + amp setup that has XLR connectors.

And believe me the DCX 2496 can make a very audible difference.

In a typical HT setup, does it matter if over a 30-50ft cable length, one uses the XLR to RCA converters with decent quality RCA cables or if one stay pure XLR assuming the setup can support it.

 

[mike c]

Do you think 30 feet is too long?

i've made RCA to XLR (unbalanced) interconnects up to 46 feet long with no noticeable difference. though i was convinced by our fellow audioholics that it's better to have longer speaker wire runs than interconnect runs, so i moved the amps closer to the pre-pro.

 

[wildchild22]

is it okay to stack 2 ep2500 on top of each other or is it to much weight.

 

[mike c]

is it okay to stack 2 ep2500 on top of each other or is it to much weight.

if it's not, i'm screwed.

 

[lsiberian]

Mine specifically? Yes , but not if one has a pre-pro + amp setup that has XLR connectors.

In a typical HT setup, does it matter if over a 30-50ft cable length, one uses the XLR to RCA converters with decent quality RCA cables or if one stay pure XLR assuming the setup can support it.

I'd be concerned running any cable over 50feet. as a cable can become reactive and the cost can get way too high. What home theater needs a 50ft run anyway.