XLR cables

[Canada]

What are they?

[DavePS3]

XLR are also referred to as 'Balanced' connections. They're more on the pro side of things but are an analog three pin connection looking somewhat like a large DIN plug. XLR was used in many applications in pro recording and stage equipment and could be used for microphone or pre-amp to amp. They were a stable solid connector that you see on some high end equipment such as Bryston as an optional connection. Never used for video, XLR was and is, used strictly for audio. Pro analog video was run using BNC connectors which turned and locked into place.

[Big Daddy]

XLR cables are one type of balanced cables. The major advantage of a balanced cable over an unbalanced cable (RCA) is noise rejection. In addition to the two wires of an unbalanced RCA cable (ground and positive), an XLR cable has a third wire that carries an inverted (180 degrees out of phase) signal.

If a balanced cable is connected to an unbalanced connector, the result will be unbalanced. For example, people who use an RCA to XLR adapter to connect their receiver/preamp to an amplifier that has XLR connectors are erroneously under the impression that they have a balanced connection. Unfortunately for them, not only the result is unbalanced, there is reference voltage difference between an RCA and XLR connectors that may result in a significant reduction in dB levels. I have a section on this topic in the middle of the following thread.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/pre-pro-am...rs-thread.html

For additional information on XLR connectors, check the following:

http://www.ehow.com/about_5090903_xlr-cable.html
http://www.sundancemediagroup.com/ar...ced_cables.htm
http://www.audioholics.com/education...-interconnects
http://www.rane.com/note110.html
http://www.dplay.com/dv/balance/balance.html#conn

[LordoftheRings]

^ Wow! Saves me the trouble!