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  #111  
Old 02-21-2018, 12:00 AM
Timobi Timobi is offline
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Need some advice. I am currently auditioning some interconnects. Currently using the unbalanced connections from the Sony HAP Z1ES to the C1100. Today I got some XLRs. The Sony is fully balanced BTW. Just for comparisons sake is it ok to keep the RCA connection from Sony to C1100 and add the XLR connection?

would like to compare. I realize the XLR will need some time to break in. BUT right off the bat the RCA is considerably louder than the XLR. Is that common? Or is it due to having both connected to the same source?
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  #112  
Old 02-21-2018, 12:36 AM
SL1800 SL1800 is offline
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I think most pieces of gear only work correctly with one connection or the other but not both at the same time.
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  #113  
Old 02-21-2018, 01:31 AM
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If you use a different input on the C1100 for the RCA and XLR outputs from the Sony you should be be fine. In the C1100 there is a gain difference between the RCA and XLR inputs. It takes twice the level through the XLR input to get the same output level as the RCA. That’s 6 dB. Not sure about the level coming out of the Sony. Anyway you can use the gain trim to set them equal.
Tom
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  #114  
Old 02-21-2018, 12:31 PM
Timobi Timobi is offline
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Hmm for some reason I thought it would be the opposite that the Balanced would be louder.

The way I have it set up now is on the C1100 is Unbalanced 1 to the Sony HAP...then Balanced 1 to the Sony.

Not sure how long I should let the XLR cables break in but I like what I hear so far.

Thx guys.

Last edited by Timobi; 02-21-2018 at 12:34 PM.
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  #115  
Old 02-21-2018, 02:05 PM
Timobi Timobi is offline
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Got this from Ron C..

Quote:
Hi Tim,

All balanced inputs on ALL McIntosh models are true differential. Since these are using two identical audio signals and one is out of phase with the other we drop the sensitivity by 3 dB. once the signal is inside the C1100 the signal will be processed and one side will be phase inverted so we have music + music = twice as much music. So the volume stays the same as an unbalanced input the gain is -3db lower on the balanced input legs.

This sounds like your streamer has a balanced output that is NOT true differential. In this case we would recommend you use the unbalanced output of the streamer.

Thanks again,
Ron Cornelius
McIntosh
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  #116  
Old 02-21-2018, 07:06 PM
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Excellent - straight from the horse’s mouth so to speak.
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Main System:
Amati Futura Mains
Amati Homage VOX Center,
Proac Response 1sc Rears,
Three MC2301's for L,C,R
MC 602 for the rears
C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80
Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic
Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation

SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC

MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material.

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Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3

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  #117  
Old 02-21-2018, 08:50 PM
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Cough .... Aurender N10 ... Cough [emoji855]
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  #118  
Old 02-21-2018, 11:39 PM
Timobi Timobi is offline
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  #119  
Old 02-22-2018, 01:53 AM
Timobi Timobi is offline
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Ok I quoted this earlier but can't get my brain to understand what this means in layman's terms.

Quote:
Hi Tim,

All balanced inputs on ALL McIntosh models are true differential. Since these are using two identical audio signals and one is out of phase with the other we drop the sensitivity by 3 dB. once the signal is inside the C1100 the signal will be processed and one side will be phase inverted so we have music + music = twice as much music. So the volume stays the same as an unbalanced input the gain is -3db lower on the balanced input legs.

This sounds like your streamer has a balanced output that is NOT true differential. In this case we would recommend you use the unbalanced output of the streamer.

Thanks again,
Ron Cornelius
McIntosh


So is he saying that to use the balanced inputs, the volume will be indeed about -3db lower vs RCA? Which is kind of what W9TR said. But then wonder why Ron recommended using the unbalanced then with the Sony?

If McIntosh's XLRs are lower in DB then couldn't one just increase the gain/volume?

Would there be sonic disadvantages?

Lots of questions.
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  #120  
Old 02-22-2018, 07:13 AM
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Default McIntosh’s Flagship C1100 Tube Preamplifier....

I think Ron is saying the same thing that I said. He’s saying the balanced input sensitivity is 3 dB lower than the rca input sensitivity. I said 6 dB. I can verify when I get home tomorrow. I don’t understand his comments about the output stage of the Sony - since the input of the C 1100 is truly balanced it won’t matter what the Sony player does.
Yes, you can just change the volume or input trim to get the same level out. I guess like everything else, let your ears decide which you like best.
Tom
__________________
Main System:
Amati Futura Mains
Amati Homage VOX Center,
Proac Response 1sc Rears,
Three MC2301's for L,C,R
MC 602 for the rears
C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80
Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic
Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation

SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC

MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material.

Lake House:
Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3

OnDeck:
McIntosh MAC 4300v
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