Converting RCA to XLR

There are many devices, cables, and solutions to converting RCA single ended outputs to balanced XLR, but do they work? If so, how?

[@bugsbunny4698]

As an electrical engineer I can't believe you explained this in 8 mins. Kudos. Wish I had professors like you back then.

[@mvb819]

I agree. Back in the late 80s when I was in EE school, my music-enthusiast friends and I would take audio equipment to electronics class to ask questions about it in hopes of bridging theory to practical application. I remember my prof saying, “there’s no good reason to spend more than about $100 on a home stereo set.” We were disenchanted to say the least.

[@zulumax1]

@Douglas Blake $1000 today gets you far better sound than same $1000 did in 1988 lets say. $100 back then gets you a small boom box or compact cassette and CD all in one plastic set. Not good sound let alone audiophile. $200 for a pair of speakers back then can not compete with modern $200 a pair speakers today.

[@gyrgrls]

@@mvb819 As hobbyist engineers, there is no good reason not to design and build our own systems.

[@jimshaw899]

@@gyrgrls Reasons like... you might have something (anything) better to do? Should English lit majors rewrite Shakespeare?

[@mvb819]

@Douglas Blake A little off. According to CPI calculator (available at bls.gov) $100 in December 1987 would be $225.84 today

[@stonefree1911]

I love how Paul perks up when things get nerdy..

[@bwalters7777777]

No apologies for taking too long! Please feel free to use the whiteboard more often.

[@TheMirolab]

Paul..... You should NEVER apologize for taking 8 measley minutes to explain something technical. This is great info that everyone here should know. Thanks for finally stepping UP to a white board. Please use it more often! Lesson 2 of this topic should be discussing the diffs between Active Balanced, Impedance Balanced, and Transformer Balanced. Oh that's exciting stuff!

[@DJMetatron]

To be honest Paul, 8 minutes is very good! There is a lot of (useless or time wasting or boring) content that isn't worth looking at unless you only have one hobby or passion.I have lot's.Thanks my friend (in a respecful and admiring way), Mark

[@kjhammersteinMusic]

I have always wondered how trs/xlr balanced signals could be processed. This makes it so easy to conceptualize. Genius!

[@joeyscott4299]

Thank you so much for these videos Paul ! They have been a big help to me . I started building small transistor amps about two years ago . Soon I am going to build my first tube amp . It's so much fun building circuits ! In the same way you can play guitar a lifetime and never learn it all , there is always something new to learn in electronics .

[@edspeers2062]

Hi Paul. I am really enjoying your videos and the way you have of effectively explaining complicated concepts with a few squiggles on the white board. You’ve made a difficult topic very understandable at a level that gives enough knowledge without over complicating the whole thing. Great work and much appreciated.

[@aeon7748]

What a great explanation, I’m watching this video knowing absolutely nothing about balanced and already have a good idea of what its trying to achieve, Thank you!!

[@andydelle4509]

Paul, great theory dissertation but may I suggest a part 2 where we can get into the specific practical problems mixing balanced and unbalanced signals. Sometimes there is no choice. 1) The level problem. Pro balanced signals are at +4db whereas RCA audio interfaces are loosely defined from -10db to 0db. 2) The transformer versus transformer-less minus side problem. When to tie the minus side to ground and when not to. 3) The professional converter box, why the best option but quite expensive.

[@gyrgrls]

Everyone has their level And everyone has their price So keep away from the devil And keep away from the dice -Graeham Goble

[@DerekRNeumann]

Dear Paul, this is the content that keeps on giving. Thank you for your knowledge

[@Paulmcgowanpsaudio]

Thank you! My pleasure.

[@ignasore9536]

This man knows how to explain things. Thank you, Paul!

[@avader5]

Great job on your explanation many electrical engineers have a hard time understanding this concept. My dad was a ham radio operator and electrical engineering aficionado. One day we got a call from a recording engineer who needed this job performed and couldn't find anyone to do it for him. So my dad did the necessary modifications that he needed to his recording console. We then found out that this was the same recording console that was used in the recording studio that created the song Dream Weaver by Gary Wright.

[@juanchis.investigadorsonoro]

As many have said, but I can't stop saying it. What a great and easy explenation. I love this method of explaining, I hope you don't mind me using it.

[@siddharthakataki]

You are amazing.. I am perfecting my electrical engineering concepts through your impeccable delivery

[@Truth-Machine5000]

This is a great lead into another video discussing using 2 channel stereo amp as a monoblock. In that video he briefly mentions using XLR/Balanced cable and switching the pins. If your interested in this stuff, these 2 videos paired together makes a very interesting lesson. I always thought XLR/Balanced cable were just better for longer runs. I had know idea. Thanks, Paul.

[@acward2007]

Wow that was brilliant thanks Paul. I used a balanced feed from an e-drum controller (brain) to my active monitors, I always knew it was better but not sure how. Wasn’t aware of how it removed any hum on the line but now I do. Thanks again and take care!

[@llee4225]

What you said about more distortion in adding an invertor to create balance output is true for home use. However, if you are in a studio environment with very long cable run, there will still be some benefits of converting it to balanced.

[@rickmorales2113]

That was informative and after 40 years now I know why, thanks!!

[@camerong4944]

Hey Paul, no need to apologize for things getting long. I think a lot of people like these videos when they get long. More learning.

[@sheri1983]

You are a humble genius, what a way to explain complicated science, Thank you!

[@hawkmoon369]

You are excellent at explaining stuff and I am building in confidence in building my own hifi system great stuff paul i look forward to your videos.

[@BC-fy1wn]

It sure is fun watching all of you at PS Audio talk about the craft you so love. Happy Hollidaze all, Doc BC

[@ysheffer]

I love it when you go into electronics internals . It very interesting . Please keep it coming . Cheers 👍👍

[@muskymcg]

Just what I needed, as a sparks I have run rca to amp( line in)...my problem is that every band uses XLR ..I thought we could convert...but now see exactly why we can't...new subscriber..cheers from Ireland

[@ThinkingBetter]

Great to see an actual whiteboard being used for something during this pandemic where meetings have gone online and we lost the precious whiteboard human interaction.

[@earfors]

Love your videos Paul. If interconnecting preamps and poweramps, speakers, etc,. Impedances are more important. But if you have to run audio cables at any length, they will pick up noise if not balanced, balanced audio, the design has a ‘reason for rhyme’.

[@Iconroller]

I have learned so much from you Paul. Thank you 🙂

[@The_Music_Sanctuary]

Glad I saw this this, thanks Paul. I was going to do this between my Marantz Ruby SACD player and Krell K300i integrated amp, but not now.

[@MrLohatoolvebyte]

Years ago I used to have a bunch of unbalanced to balanced converters made by Switchcraft that got the job done with precision transformers. It seemed to perform well enough at the time but I expect that it probably striped some of the upper frequency spectrum from the signal. When we used them we knew we were using the equivalent of a bandaid. They saved us in a crunch. We were faced with an equipment incompatibility at a live performance and the show had to go on. And on it went thanks to Switchcraft. I remember there was quite a bit of loss through them.

[@socaljmac7720]

Fantastic! Would love to see more “positive going wiggles” level engineering videos for us communications majors.

[@derekjarman1638]

great explanation of the difference between the two- thanks!

[@mostyles328]

Great video and couldn't agree more as an IT Director with a A/V engineer background.

[@JustMeLive]

Thank you, You answered my question of noise in high z to using xlr low z that high z is never better. No conversion cancels the noise. ✌️

[@norvillerodgersspeaks]

"We have the positive signal going wiggles, that's the music."

[@vn1965]

Thank you very much for a great beginner lesson.

[@scottyo64]

Love it, great explanation!

[@alexjenner1108]

6:25 any decent passive converter will use an audio transformer

[@jakopriit]

Paul. In passive converters they take a negative signal from an audio transformer. Benefits: if you do it close to the RCA source and run the XLR for the rest of the distance you get the benefit of XLR noise suppression for this distance.

[@ringringlord]

thats clean and pretty neat explanation

[@anurasenarathna1703]

Great. Best explanation on RCA XLR

[@zyghom]

completely to the point - thank you CEO

[@RickMahoney2013]

Now you are teaching very good Paul

[@RickMahoney2013]

Stay at the white board Paul

[@josexavierjr.5633]

Great video!! I tried to study Electrical Engineering back in the day.........wish the professors had your approach.

[@FOH3663]

Well, if your professors back in the day utilized Paul's approach, ... two things; a.) you'd still be there b.) you'd have some great stories

[@smoke1va]

Man I feel like 👍 I was in class and actually learned something 😂 thank you sir

[@MikeGervasi]

Fantastic explanation. I have an electronics background and understood you completely. You CAN change the end of a cable from RCA to XLR however it's only a connector type change with no sound quality "improvement".

[@Paulmcgowanpsaudio]

Exactly! You got it.

[@jordanhenshaw]

Yeah, but you just need to add/splice a second RCA cable to carry the duplicate, flipped sigal. This video is correct only if you don't add a second conductor. Add a second conductor and all that's left is to flip it.

[@tactileslut]

No mention of the adapters with a little audio transformer inside?

[@BldgsFallStraightDwn]

Good explanation. :-) Of course the VERY short answer would be, "You can't. Because you lose the effect of the comparation of that 2nd wire input."

[@scarmenl]

Thank you. An excellent explanation.

[@johnnytoobad7785]

Randy Slone (RIP) covers this topic extensively in his excellent book: "The Audiophiles Project Source book". (2001). Basically you do it with Op-amps. I believe you do need the ground connection to shield the audio cable from noise and tie the two devices to a single ground. The reason you're using balanced connections in the first place is to minimize "induced" noise.

[@gyrgrls]

@Douglas Blake You've got star grounding. What more do you need? Hum and interference from ground loops? :D

[@russmaleartist]

Don't mind longer, detailed videos when there is something good to learn. I love to learn and will spend hours comparing individual opinions to get to the truth. So, don't apologize if your videos go over the alloted time.

[@jeremiahlyleseditor437]

Great explanation

[@carloslarard]

Forgot to mention. The signal gain is 6DB higher. Let you make longer runs of the cable over 100 meters. 😊

[@stevepickering5978]

Oh I see now very nicely done.

[@musingsandmusic]

Still a classic! Thank you

[@handwoundpickups6555]

Brilliant explanation thanks

[@ToyotatechDK]

You could go on for hours and we the audience would still be entertained 👌🏻

[@montynorth3009]

Considering the situation the other way around, what is the score connecting balanced outputs to RCA inputs?

[@shkermanshahi]

Wow. Thanks Paul.

[@jaybaldwin5376]

Really simple. Thankyou...👍

[@marcgoldstein2957]

I come here for the education. Thanks teach!

[@lamjos]

so good, please make it longer

[@Neoprene00]

Well said, Paul!

[@gavincurtis]

DRV134 chip does RCA to XLR conversion and +6dB gain too.

[@elektron2kim666]

XLR is very useful for stage setups as hum and noise can kill the whole show. In my opinion it would help to convert RCA to XLR as a sales concept to new bands who didn't think about this yet and suffer by it.

[@enriquejackson2843]

ART cleanbox pro 2 channel lever

[@zeljkosarancic2006]

I've enjoyed every single second...

[@gordthor5351]

There are actually some benefits Paul when using a longer balanced cable to a DAC and a very short XLR to RCA cable to the amp. Not all units allow for a direct signal from balanced inputs to RCA outputs. In this case you absolutely do gain better quality, because a direct signal sounds much better.

[@norvillerodgersspeaks]

More circuit stuff like this pls.

[@onepieceatatime]

In a single-ended set up doesn't the ground pick up noise just like the signal, meaning it's not "different" and so noise doesn't get amplified by the difference amplifier?

[@savvassidiropoulos5952]

The diagram for the unbalanced to balanced conversion isn't strictly correct. First, the amp stages as shown are working in open loop and would give a very high gain. Typically, buffer amplifier stages (op-amps) used for such purposes would be having feedback from the output to the input not receiving a signal to make them unity gain. And then, I don't think it's correct to use the output from the first buffer to feed to the inverting one. There are usually phase delays in the output and that would make the inverted signal lightly out of phase. It's more practical to use the two buffers in parallel and use the inverting input on one and the non-inverting input on the other, and use their outputs as the two out of phase signals.

[@scotts.7662]

& sell that to the beancounter dept. for your more expensive to manufacture and market RCA to XLR convertor.

[@PredictableEnigma]

I totally agree that there is no benefit to converting RCA to XLR in an enviornemnt where you have control of the setup. Though sometimes even professionally you MUST do it. I am a wedding videographer. I record audio from various speaker systems, wireless mic recievers, and DJ sound boards. My audio recorder has XLR inputs. MOST of the time, I can take audio from a source that uses either XLR or 1/4" TRS as an output, and that works just fine. Balanced signal. But just recently I came across a DJ that had an old sound board and they ONLY had RCA outputs on thier board. I had a simple RCA to XLR unbalanced cable. It sounded ok I guess but I can't help but wonder if there's a better way.

[@harryconover289]

A good transformer. Is the best day Jenson

[@RectifiedMetals]

Paul well explained. Thank you. I already knew the info but you helped with the explanation I can inform others. So I have a question you may want to try. Since most phono stages are single ended output, but most turntables are balanced, why would the comparison circuit eliminate the noise of the cartridge and yet not send a balanced signal out for the preamp to compare the noise produced by the phono stage?

[@l1oyd]

Thank for such a great simple explanation. I need to run line-level 40ft out of my AVR into an amplifier. Both are not balanced should I just use a well shielded coaxial and not convert to balanced?

[@blazethablunt]

Hum imitation was great hahah thank you for your videos!

[@boomerscs9193]

Thanks Paul!

[@leroyusa935]

Long signal pathways by their cable lengths and connections can introduce unwanted noise. Nullifying out the these disturbances will give you a much cleaner signal. I believe this is mandatory with long cable runs used in bands for stage performances, indoors or outdoors.

[@YRG313]

I think balancing in pro audio is most important for mic level signals, as the signal is so weak. Noise on a Line level signal is much less noticeable. Keep your RCA cables short as possible and away from power cables and electrical equipment and I think you would struggle to find noise any differences even if analysing electrically.

[@LordVictorHalgaard]

Take as much time as you want Paul. Would much rather watch a long video with a useful and comprehensive answer, than a short one with a superficial answer that doesn't really explain anything!

[@tonyclark6235]

What VHL said..👍

[@jamesderby4522]

Please do more whiteboard aided segments. Learning a lot.

[@tonysolis825]

i was think of using a noise gate what do think on a 4 channel noise gate and my amps have fully balanced input there two coustic dr-514 4 channels that have been recapped with all audio capacitors and the bias reset too factory settings should i use the noise gate or just run the balance option with the balance line transmitter for the amps . I think it works like the old soundstream amps with the din cable

[@PaulGreeve]

Paul. With IEMs we can have balanced cables driven by dual amplifiers. Other than extra power, my question is, do we still get the benifits of common mode rejection?

[@3dvibes1]

i have a house amp and with 2 sub outs rca and i just bought 2 powered subs with i think blanced xlr in what would be the best way to hook these up ?

[@ChickenPermissionOG]

you can take the rca and run it through a differential op amp through an inverter? trying to record my moms records to cd without to much volume drop and noise.

[@zacharysobania9496]

What a great video

[@cheeyeefong8442]

Paul explains what an active converter does to RCA signals to convert it to XLR by drawing the circuitry on the whiteboard in the final minutes of the video. My question is this: : on PS Audio's fully balanced equipment, how is the negative (inverting signal) generated if not by some sort of circuitry like the active converter?

[@searchiemusic]

I'm setting up a fostex E16, a 16 track semipro reel to reel, was considering adding transformers to balance a splitter i'm wiring to convert the mixing board TRS into RCA, and switch channels between the reel to reel and interface, im wondering what your thoughts would be on grounding the cold pin or going to the effort of balancing each input and output with 32 1:1 transformers, minimizing the unbalanced length to a foot or two instead of about 15 feet of cable snake, do you think the sound quality would be an issue with small transformers over leaving the channels unbalanced if i'm staying within the -10 .3v spec? sorry i know this is wordy but i feel someone here may be able to help

[@007Broadcaster]

Excellent!

[@speakertest5413]

How about XLR to DIN5 is it have better sound than RCA because Naim amp don’t have balance line.

[@yankeedoodle2801]

Hello! I have a headphones amp that has a 4pin xlr output. What type of adapter/cable do I need in order to use my regular headphones, which just has a 1/4 inch jack? Thanks!

[@aegisofhonor]

I think the person was wanting to actually change the port on the unit itself to balanced. I have seen this sort of hack in Japanese equipment. I remember seeing an old Pioneer amp that had been converted to XLR and even a Sony TA-D88 crossover network completely converted to XLR. I'm pretty sure they would not do this unless there was a very good reason and/or a noticeable quality bump in doin this.

[@yatnonono]

thank's alot good information .i like

[@PatDabPL]

What about passive balancers like Neutrik NA2M-D2B-TX? When you look inside, it's just a 1:1 NTE-1 transformer with a single resistor. Is this any better if your source has only RCA outputs and you need to connect to XLR speakers?

[@AnOriginalYouTuber]

Balanced lines are a must in professional audio. Where RCA level might be 1 volt, microphones can be only a few millivolts. When your mic lines are 300 feet and are surrounded by noisy stage stage equipment, even a little interference can be heard through the speakers. The whine of a switching power supply and the hum of an AC unit can be really distracting!

[@charlesclifton1006]

So, my DAC (which sits on my desk-top) feeds both my room system and/or my desktop system. The balanced output on the DAC would be best to feed my room system (preamp) which is 20 feet away and the SE-RCA output should go to my desktop amp (3 feet away). Right?

[@solarfall2728]

Maybe. You would have to check the manual for your DAC, but when both outputs are used, most of the time they are both single ended. It won't matter which one you use.

[@ziqfriq]

A proper "passive" converter would be a transformer. Good ones are expensive. But if you really need to convert unbalanced to balanced--such as a long run between pre and power-- it is arguably the way to go. Like an active converter, it degrades the signal. With a really good transformer, maybe not by much. It also offers certain advantages, such as an ideally limited pass band--way beyond what is considered audible--when terminated properly. Jensen makes good quality transformers, with ideal Butterworth responses. They also make ready made adapters for those not wanting to add enclosures and connectors. Not trying to write an ad, but I have auditioned Jensen transformers carefully and not found them wanting. They are widely used in professional audio equipment and studios.

[@Quetzalcoatl0]

I have a mini DSP and a pro amp that is used for subs. I have a ground loop humming noise, will using an active RCA to XLR fix the hum ? The mini dsp doesn't have a 3 prong plug, same as the AVR, but the TV does and the pro amp too. So if i disconnect the HDMI from the TV hum is gone, or if i remove the ground prong from the TV plug, again the hum is gone, but i don't want to do that. I don't know how to fix it =/ Will going to a optical HDMI fix this ? I think it won't cuz the ground is still there.

[@gogiaudios]

Wish you had mentioned transformers as ways to convert to balanced as well as levels to pro levels.

[@samueldps92]

I have a 3.5 mm single ended to RCA stereo single ended cable. if i replace the 3.5 mm head with 2.5 balance, will that work? or how to change rca to balance?

[@ronaldarchibald2506]

Learned a lot. However in the application it is typically a 1 meter component connection. A high quality rca cable isnt going to induce much noise if it is decent shielded cable. Leaving the advantage of the xlr not so much. I have both types of 1 meter inputs on my home systen and hear no difference. However in a pa system with great distances between source and loudspeaker it is neccessary to use balanced inputs most times.

[@tulaliptv]

Very succinct, now can you explain 4-pin and 5-pin xlr for intercom? Or suggest a good video tutorial for that?