C46 to MC452 - XLR cable length ??

[arien]

Hi,

It has been a long time since i post anything here in AA...just contented in reading threads

Lately i have been contemplating on re-arranging my system...i need to move the MC452 further away from the C46 Preamp - my question is : Can i use longer balance cable between Pre and power amp ? How long is possible that will not have any effect ?

Also, i read that C46 is not really a balanced Preamp, the balance connection is only for convenience, if this is the case then the benefit of balanced IC (run longer cable) is not really applicable in my case?

Thanking you in advance.

Arnold

[clpetersen]

Hello Arnold - Yours is a situation where using a balanced (XLR) cable makes a lot of sense.
A longer cable increases the chance for noise pick-up which a balanced detector/emitter (i.e. input/output) is very good at eliminating. You only need a good balanced input/output - the rest of the amp or pre-amp does not need to be a balanced design.

As far as total length, if you use a good (exotic not required) cable and have good equipment (you do) you can have long runs - easily 10 meters or more.

[arien]

Thank you so much, appreciate your response...i will start looking for a good balanced cable (not exotic )

Originally Posted by clpetersen

Hello Arnold - Yours is a situation where using a balanced (XLR) cable makes a lot of sense.
A longer cable increases the chance for noise pick-up which a balanced detector/emitter (i.e. input/output) is very good at eliminating. You only need a good balanced input/output - the rest of the amp or pre-amp does not need to be a balanced design.

As far as total length, if you use a good (exotic not required) cable and have good equipment (you do) you can have long runs - easily 10 meters or more.

[IM3CPO]

Give Blue Jeans Cable a look. They are online, made in Seattle, use all Belden cables and you can get any length/termination you want. Balanced cable pairs 10 feet long run around ~$50.

[arien]

Thank you, will check it.

Originally Posted by IM3CPO

Give Blue Jeans Cable a look. They are online, made in Seattle, use all Belden cables and you can get any length/termination you want. Balanced cable pairs 10 feet long run around ~$50.

[Parabellum]

In my previous McSetup (C46 & MC252), I was using a 5.5M long Kimber Kable KS-1111 XLR between the pre-amp and the amp. Never had a single issue. As suggested by IM3CPO, you can start with Blue Jeans Cable and upgrade at a later time. I actually did just that before upgrading to the Kimber.

[arien]

Originally Posted by Parabellum

In my previous McSetup (C46 & MC252), I was using a 5.5M long Kimber Kable KS-1111 XLR between the pre-amp and the amp. Never had a single issue. As suggested by IM3CPO, you can start with Blue Jeans Cable and upgrade at a later time. I actually did just that before upgrading to the Kimber.

Thank you Serge

[JWJW]

Originally Posted by IM3CPO

Give Blue Jeans Cable a look. They are online, made in Seattle, use all Belden cables and you can get any length/termination you want. Balanced cable pairs 10 feet long run around ~$50.

Agree. Blue Jean = great prices, quality, and service. Highly recommended.

[jayvis1]

You could check out DH Labs BL-1 Series II interconnects with XLR connectors. Very affordable and great quality.

[W9TR]

arien,
Balanced is definitely applicable in your case. The equipment does not have to be fully internally balanced for balanced interconnects to be of benefit in terms of noise and interference rejection.

I run 40’ balanced interconnects between my McIntosh preamp and power amps with no issue...I think if you keep it below several hundred feet you’ll be fine.