TOPIC:

My current plan is to route a single subwoofer output from the AVR to the 88A, and then take the output from the 88A into a MiniDSP 2x4. The 2x4 will be used to time-align four connected subs. I am currently using balanced connections from the AVR to the 88A, and balanced connections from the 88A to a 7-channel amp. For the sub channel out of the 88A I am planning to use an XLR-to-RCA converter cable, and plugging it into the un-balanced 2x4.

My question is this: is there a voltage mismatch between the 88A and the 2x4 using the XLR-to-RCA converter cable? The spec states that the 88A is 4/8VRMS using balanced connectors, while the 2x4 max input is .9/2.0VRMS.

Or, alternatively, can I use XLR outputs on the first seven output channels of the 88A, and then use a straight un-balanced RCA cable between the 88A and the 2x4?

If none of the above, kindly suggest how I can incorporate the 2x4 into the configuration with the 88A.

Thanks.

Hi Jerry, I would think that using an RCA cable from the 88A to the 2x4 should work fine. Set both to either 2.0V or 0.9V (DDRC output / 2x4 input)

john.reekie wrote:

Hi Jerry, I would think that using an RCA cable from the 88A to the 2x4 should work fine. Set both to either 2.0V or 0.9V (DDRC output / 2x4 input)

I had heard that we shouldn't mix un-balanced with balanced connections. While I can certainly test it out, are you sure it is OK to mix connection types?

I've not tried it yet, but the only thing that should be a problem is connecting balanced and unbalanced to the same input channel.

There's also the limitation that if you sent the input sensitivity jumpers for a channel to 0.9V, you can only connect unbalanced to that channel.

Other than that, I see no reason you can't use a mix of balanced and unbalanced.