phase inverting hookup question

beardog03

First let me thank Mark (Doro) yet again.....

The young master yoda has direced me from day one, and I am just now learning just how...years later

The Parasound HCA-3500 is not only a powerhouse @ 500w per ch., but it is the most versitile unit I have seen....if I`m right.......hence the question...

Because of recent financial problems, I have to sell my amp...the Cary V12..

Interested parties stand by as I will post it later today for local Polkies to check out..

Back to my question....

I have a Cary SLP-98 F1 tube Pre Amp that is phase inverting.
I am hooking her up to the Parasound HCA-3500 Amp.

The book on the amp shows that there is XLR Balanced inputs, Normal Unbalanced inputs, and Unbalanced Inverting inputs.

Mark was giving me all the options in my amp without me even realizing it !!

Thanks Brada !
Good lookin` out !!

Let me site what the two books say, and maybe you can tell me if my thinking is correct.

Cary; The SLP 98 (Line and Phono) preamplifier is phase inverting.
This will require you to connect the positive speaker terminal to the negative binding post on your amplifier. the negative speaker terminal will connect to the positive binding post on your amplifier.

Parasound;
You can connect the outputs of your preamplifier to the RCA input jacks several ways:

Normal Unbalanced Non-Inverting Input
Connect the outputs of your preamplifier to the left and right positive (+) inputs only. With these connections, the HCA-3500`s outputs are non-inverted; positive signals at it`s inputs result in positive signals at it`s out puts.

Unbalanced Inverting Input
Connect the outputs of your preamplifier to the left and right negative (-) inputs only. With these connections, the HCA-3500`s outputs are inverted; positive signals at it`s inputs result in negative signals at it`s outputs. If your preamplifier inverts signals, you can use the unbalanced inverting inputs of the HCA-3500 in order to restore the signals to non-inverting.


Now I realize that this seems to be self explanatory, but here`s the question...

Do I hook the speaker wires up normally, or do I hook the negative to the positive (red to black) ?

On other amps this is the way it get`s hooked up, but with the non-inverting taps, I should be able to just hook up normally .....right ?!

I know this is a newbe question, but my mind is toast lately with a laundry list of problems to deal with lately, and having to sell my beloved V12.....

....well you get the picture

As always, I will fight my way outta my troubles, and get my sheet tight again...


Until then, I will have to go back to SS and live with it.....until i get on my feet again, and maybe get those X-719`s from the pantless wonder....

I mean THE MASTER YODA !!!

On the plus side, this amp is versitile , powerful, and a dual mono design.....the only way it could be better is if it were a BBQ !!!!

beardog03

Well, I hooked it up the way I thought would work, and .....

No sound from speaks

I could hook it up through the non-inverting taps, but then would have to put red to black on the speaker cables

What gives ?
This should work....right ?

dorokusai

Choose one or the other in regards to connectivity. I'd connect the Cary to the Parasound normally and reverse the polarity of the speaker cables at the amplifier. Or, as stated by Parasound, connect the pre-amp to the unbalanced inputs and keep the speaker cables the same.

I'm a master of nothing but the thumb I was born with.

beardog03

I flipped the balanced/unbalanced switch, to "balanced" and ....waa laa !

Sound

Thanks for the "input"

I read your post over a couple of times, and understand what you are saying.
I have always done what you first suggested, but wanted to try what Parasound was talking to...

It sounds good, but compared to what I`m used to, it sounds kinda sterile....kinda Solid State sounding !

Oh well, at least I have tubes in the mix through the pre amp

dorokusai

That stuff was eliminated on the BBQ since it was deemed unneccesary, and I agree. There were about 75+ additional parts removed from the signal path of the BBQ....and that switch doesn't exist on mine....neither does an XLR connection but that was an option.

beardog03

It just seems wrong to hook the speaker wires up "backwards" !!

One of these days we should get together and "upgrade" my amp

You do still use your BBQ as your reference/main amp, don`t you ?

What Pre are you currently using ?

dorokusai

An upgrade would require more than just me. I didn't understand the idea either but amplifier design is pretty interesting, boring and confusing when you read about it.

The BBQ is my reference amplifier....always will be. The rest come and go but I really liked the AR VS-110. It's a standout for me but not a replacement