XLR/Balanced Edjumacation...

I-SIG
I-SIG Posts: 2,243
edited June 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
Dumb question amnesty requested:

How many conductors are in a XLR/balanced interconnect? It's balanced on both ends, FWIW.

Thanks,
Wes
Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
Post edited by I-SIG on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited June 2011
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XLR_connector
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,033
    edited June 2011
    Think Dale Earnhardt.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited June 2011
    there is still some disagreement on the best way to handle the usage of pin 1 at both ends of a cable, particularly with respect to the cable shield, the connector's shell, signal ground, and a third cable conductor connected to pin 1, which may (or may not) be connected to the shield. The main controversy is whether the shell of the connector should be connected to pin 1 or the shield, or left floating.


    So in other words, the the third conductor is optional depending on the philosophy of the cable or equipment manufacturer?

    To put it another way, if a balanced cable only has 2 conductors, should I only be concerned, run away or just go with it?

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited June 2011
    The third conductor isn't optional, it is required for ground. The method of whether to ground the outside of the shell is the disagreement or controversy. Most in the know will connect pin 1/shield to the preamp end of the cable to the shell and leave the downstream end of the shield connected only to pin 1. This in theory brings any outside noise/interference picked up along the way to drain back upstream to the preamp instead of getting passed along to be amplified at the amps end. Thus it becomes a shield/drain.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited June 2011
    Gotcha.

    The manufacturer I was looking at lists the "shield" separately from the signal carrying conductors, hence my confusion.

    I'll let the EE's argue about the ultimate connection preferences.

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited June 2011
    Dennis Gardner wrote: »
    The third conductor isn't optional, it is required for ground.
    Exactly,while pins 2 and 3 carry the differential signals pin 1 should be connected to shield for increased noise immunity.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter