XLR to RCA Adapter : Unboxing & Onkyo PR-RZ5100 AccuEQ Audio Calibration

[@gibluap]

I don't see how it could improve the sound quality at all cuz it's still going to an unbalanced end

[@vincesandoval6102]

Exactly

[@depsilon4]

As an experiment, connect some powered speakers with balanced xlr connectors on the back and go direct XLR from your pre-amp using a pair of balanced xlr cables and see if your mind is blown :) You will probably only notice a difference above 150hz (So subs may not get clearer), but give it a shot.

[@cloakofanonymity]

Monoprice sells XLR to RCA cables. No adapters needed and it looks neater and cleaner. However, you're defeating the purpose of XLR by using adapters or going from an XLR connection to an RCA and you won't notice any discernible sound difference anyway whether you use XLR or RCA for your connections. XLR is great for long runs. The typical home theater setup isn't going to experience ground loop issues because of the distance of the cable runs. Great video btw, very helpful for people interested in our hobby.

[@TheRafcave]

Thanks man, yeah I've learned from this little experience that I'm not doing anything very beneficial. 😉

[@cloakofanonymity]

@@TheRafcave Keep up your videos. Your enthusiasm is contagious!! You helped me with my decision to purchase the RZ5100 and I love you...my wife?- she's gonna hunt you down!! ;-)

[@TheRafcave]

😄😄😄😃👍🏽

[@kevinweithers1223]

Great video Rafcave. It's good to see people posting videos on what doesn't work, not just on what work's. There are a few well known issues with going balanced (xlr) to unballanced (rca): 1.) You cannot convert the signal to balanced so you won't get the benefits of the xlr output - e.g., loudness and a generally less noisy/cleaner signal. 2.) You can also damage the input device when doing this. Since xlr usually outputs more volts, the rca inputs on the receiving device usually isn't rated to handle such high voltage. Thus, you can end up over driving and thus damaging the input stage of the rca device.

[@TheRafcave]

kevin weithers Thanks Kevin. How would I know If I'm damaging the RCA ports on my amps? After calibration, my onkyo still had all the speaker levels around -3 for each speakers. And everything sounded great when playing movies. 🤔🤞🏼

[@kevinweithers1223]

You won't really know if you're damaging the rca input stage of the amps until they stop working. I would suggest to stick with the rca cables as you're really not getting any benefit from doing xlr to rca. Love your videos and keep them coming.

[@TheRafcave]

Well I guess your right. Thanks for watching Kevin.

[@kevinweithers1223]

Forgot to add, you can also check the specs on your amp to see how much volts the rca inputs can accept vs what your Onkyo xlr outputs are putting out. If you can't find it in the specs, I suggest calling the the amp manufacturer and running it by them.

[@TheRafcave]

Ohh good Idea. I'll check It out. Thanks Kev. 👍🏽

[@styner3]

To really have peace of mind you're going to have to buy a amplifier with XLR inputs. Now you won't have peace of mind until you do. LOL!! Sorry RAF

[@TheRafcave]

Lol there's always something to buy!

[@TheDwight1379]

What is the point in taking RCA throught XLR which is a balanced line. you are just down grading the XLR, you would of been better getting some 9.99 XLR cables. Do your amps have XLR inputs?

[@TheRafcave]

Since my amps don't have XLR Inputs I wanted to test the sound of XLR out's in the Pre pro. But I learned that the voltage out of the XLR Is more than the RCA so I went back to RCA's to not damage my amps. 😏👍🏽

[@gibluap]

I think the XLR adapters or the hybrid XLR RCA cables were meant for equipment that wasn't compatible to make it compatible. I can't possibly believe how the sound quality would improve when it still going to end up being unbalanced. I couldn't be wrong but doesn't seem to make sense in my mind.

[@TheRafcave]

It was just an experiment. I'm just using unbalanced RCA's.

[@gibluap]

@@TheRafcave I understood that from the video

[@brandoncarlson03]

Great video buddy! I was looking heavily into getting a receiver/amp with XLR output and inputs, but mainly because I read that the receiver output voltage RMS rating is higher with XLR than RCA. My Denon 3400h says it does 1.2volts RMS output from the RCA pre outs, so if I ever got an amp that had an input sensitivity rating higher than 1.2 like 1.5v or even 2v, does that mean that my receiver would be clipping before I could get the full rated power out of the amp? Trying to find a beefy amp with a low sensitivity rating that doesn't break the bank is kinda difficult, but with XLR connections alot of receivers say the output voltage is like 2v or higher, which in a way would create better sound because its giving the amplifier adequate voltage and not clipping the signal. Thanks for your content brother!

[@TheRafcave]

Thanks man, I had the theater turned up loud and I didn't hear any clipping on my amps switching from RCA to XLR's. So I'm very glad I switched. Good luck In finding an amp! 👍🏽

[@chuckymystic]

If the amp requires a high voltage then it will clip after a certain point. Im dealing with it now. Using a yamaha aventage 1080 and trying to go to pro audio amps by crown. My rca preout is lower than the 1.4v I need. To get the right volume i turn up the amp gain, but if i push it too loud it clips. The only thing i have found to fix this is a auido interface. For me i also need to go from unbalanced to balanced signals so Ill probably get an 8 channel interface to also get higher preout voltage.

[@percybedford6266]

What RCA cables are you using? I am thinking of upgrading to the Onkyo PR RZ5100.

[@TheRafcave]

I'm using these, they work like a charm. 😊 4' Thx Ultra 800 Component www.amazon.com/dp/B000FIS7K2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_q-2qBbMHN99R3

[@avgeek8810]

I know that you're not using them anymore. Altough like said before it's still an unbalanced connection. Also that pre/pro does have XLR but it's not a balanced design.

[@BrentLeVasseur]

An XLR to RCA adapter doesn’t give you what you are looking for if you want a fully balanced connection. It kills the balanced cable and turns the balanced XLR input on your Onkyo into an RCA single ended input/output. So you wasted your money.

[@TheRafcave]

I experimented. I'm not using It now lol.

[@XxtothmonsterxX]

You’re doing nothing when you convert balanced xlr to rca .. you only have an advantage if you connect xlr to xlr. Professional amps usually is xlr inputs and outputs. Cerwin vega has a great line of professional grade amp cv-900 cv-1800 Cv-2800 and cv-5000 .. I have a cc-1800 for my fronts and just purchased 3 cv-900 For around 800.. they’re very affordable.

[@manuelgarcia-zo5nk]

So is it no longer a balanced signal?

[@TheRafcave]

No, It doesn't work. It's still unbalanced.

[@SteveSunny]

Why do you have the foam pads between the door and the receiver?

[@TheRafcave]

To reduce any vibration.

[@dvan3630]

Great video enjoy that review

[@TheRafcave]

Thanks D!

[@estebanrodriquesbeijo3945]

Is it possible to connect onkyo 5100 with bluetooth speakers without using any cables?

[@TheRafcave]

No It only receives Bluetooth not send It. You need a separate Bluetooth audio transmitter for the Onkyo.

[@88s10Durango]

I didm`t hear either

[@vincesandoval6102]

But why!! Your doing it all wrong!!!

[@ebarbie5016]

It will not improve shit and most likely may damage your receiver because those adapters short circuit pins 1 and 3 which is good for rca to xlr not the other way around... Try yo see if your xlrs are still working after prolonged use of such useless adapters...

[@TheRafcave]

Obviously, people can experiment. Calm down sir geez. 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@ebarbie5016]

@@TheRafcave you clearly have zero knowledge in audio. Balanced output has 3 pins. Ground, hot and cold. The cold pin is a live pine with voltage signal. Those adapters you use bridge pins 1 and 3 (ground and cold) shirt circuiting the preamp section of your AVR. Try to connect the XLR to a true balanced amp and you will notice a drop in output because you fried the op-amp of the cold output... There is no "experience" in electronics. If you don't know what you're doing, don't do anything and just follow the owners manual...